Planning Commission: Planning Commission Thursday, April 25, 2024 @ 7:00 pm (Text Amendment Application – Farmstays)

Here is a 3-4 paragraph executive summary of the document:

Executive Summary

This document is an application for a text amendment to the Leelanau Township Zoning Ordinance. The applicant, Phil Haltstedt, is requesting the planning commission to adopt new provisions to allow “farmstays” in the Agricultural District as a secondary business to primary agricultural production.

The intent of the proposed amendment is to support the economic sustainability and resiliency of local farming by allowing flexibility for farmers to supplement their income through agricultural tourism activities. The goals include maintaining and promoting agriculture, preserving open space and farmland, maintaining the township’s rural character, increasing community benefits, and sustaining agriculturally related businesses.

The proposed text amendment defines “agritourism”, “farmstay”, and “working farm”, and outlines the permitted activities associated with farmstays such as lodging, on-farm markets, value-added processing, and educational uses. The amendment also provides specific requirements and standards that must be met for farmstay operations, including site plan review, setbacks, parking, and compliance with health and safety regulations.

https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/drinking-water-and-environmental-health/drinking-water
https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/wastewater