Planning Commission: Planning Commission Thursday, February 22, 2024 @ 7:00 pm (Public Comment)

Executive Summary

This document compiles public comments and correspondence received for the Leelanau Township Planning Commission meeting on February 22, 2024. The first piece of correspondence is from Elizabeth Mallek, who submits language from the Centerville Master Plan, advocating for its inclusion in the Leelanau Township Master Plan. She expresses concern that the current draft is incomplete and doesn’t fully reflect community input. Her submission includes excerpts from the Centerville Township Master Plan, focusing on maintaining rural character, preserving natural resources, and managing development.

The second communication, from Phil Hallstedt, addresses the potential for agritourism within Leelanau Township. He provides a proposed amendment to the Leelanau Township Zoning Ordinance, focusing on agritourism farmstays, and includes a draft amendment modeled after Cleveland Township’s agritourism amendment. The amendment includes definitions, goals, permitted uses, and limitations for farmstays, emphasizing their role in supporting agriculture, preserving open space, and maintaining the township’s rural character. It aims to balance economic opportunities for farmers with the preservation of the community’s existing character. Hallstedt also references discussions on seasonal worker housing on small farms.

Additional documents focus on farmstay regulations, including site plan review processes, allowable accommodations, and various stipulations to ensure the farmstays align with zoning regulations and the preservation of rural character, along with requirements for compliance with existing ordinances. There is additional commentary from the community including correspondence related to the farmstay amendment and related ordinances. Various documents are included that provide added content and relevant information to the topic of agritourism including farmstay related regulations. Several attachments show a draft of the amendment, outlining specific regulations for agritourism activities.

The document reflects community interest in shaping the township’s future development, balancing economic considerations with environmental preservation and the maintenance of the township’s rural character. The Planning Commission is encouraged to consider the recommendations and the provided amendment to assist in the creation of ordinances and a master plan for Leelanau Township.