Planning Commission: Special Planning Commission Workshop -Thursday, September 5 2024 @ 1:00 pm (PC working document additions to MP)

The Leelanau Township Master Plan Update, initiated in 2022, is a comprehensive effort to guide the future development and preservation of the township. The update process involved extensive community engagement, including the distribution of over 400 surveys and public information sessions. The mission statement of the Master Plan emphasizes the importance of balancing growth with the preservation of the township’s unique rural character, natural resources, and agricultural heritage. It aims to enhance the health, safety, and welfare of residents while supporting local businesses and technologies, promoting diverse employment and housing opportunities, and ensuring sustainable tourism and shoreline resiliency.

The Master Plan outlines several key goals and objectives, focusing on land use and zoning to achieve a harmonious balance between development and preservation. It prioritizes the health, safety, and welfare of residents, the preservation of rural character and natural features, and the support of economic growth that aligns with the township’s heritage. The plan also emphasizes the need for diverse employment and housing opportunities, controlled growth, sustainable tourism, and shoreline resiliency. Specific measures include protecting the 38.7 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, promoting sustainable practices to mitigate climate change effects, and encouraging the adoption of clean energy solutions.

The zoning plan introduces new districts and regulations to address the township’s unique needs. New zoning districts include Shoreline Residential Districts to manage development along Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan, Rural Residential zones to accommodate increased housing density near villages, and specific zones around the Village of Northport and Omena for mixed housing types. The plan also focuses on balanced housing types, encouraging workforce housing and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) to increase housing availability. Additionally, the township aims to monitor and regulate short-term rentals to preserve long-term housing options and to establish standards for renewable energy systems, ensuring they align with community needs and environmental sustainability.
Leelanau Township Master Plan Update