Summary
The Cleveland Township Board met July 8, 2025, with Supervisor Tim Stein presiding and all five members (Jan Nowak, Todd Nowak, Tim Stein, Tracy Olsen, Angie Diotte) present. The board approved the June 10, 2025 minutes and the Treasurer's Report (5-0), approved a resolution requesting a speed study on Hlavka Rd (5-0 roll call), and continued discussion on an Attainable Housing PILOT Ordinance with consultant Yarrow Brown. Payment of bills was approved 5-0.
Public Comments
Public attendance included Kate from the Leelanau Enterprise and Yarrow Brown, who presented on the PILOT program. No public comment on the agenda or open forum comments were recorded, and no correspondence was received.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Yarrow Brown presented on the Planning Commission's recommended Attainable Housing PILOT Ordinance, a rental-only tool allowing developers to pay reduced "payment in lieu of taxes" instead of standard property taxes for projects serving households up to 120% of area median income (AMI). For Cleveland Township, AMI is $77,583, meaning eligibility could extend to roughly $100,000 for a two-person household. The township would set criteria and approve applications; the county has 45 days to opt in or pass its own ordinance. Brown recommended having a PILOT policy in place before November 2025 to allow processing time. The board plans to review Leelanau Township's existing PILOT program and discuss further at the August meeting. Separately, Planning Commission Chair Todd Nowak reported that Dean Manikas confirmed the Leelanau County Planning Commission was not qualified to review the PILOT program, so the matter will proceed to the township board.
Infrastructure Projects
The board adopted a resolution, made by Tim Stein and seconded by Todd Nowak, formally requesting the Leelanau County Road Commission (LCRC) conduct a speed study on Hlavka Rd and county roads 667 and 669, citing increased traffic from township growth. The township agreed to abide by LCRC/Michigan State Police findings on speed limits. Roll call vote: Jan Nowak, Todd Nowak, Tim Stein, Tracy Olsen, and Angie Diotte all voted Aye; motion carried.
Other Business
- Supervisor Stein will attend a county supervisors meeting to discuss forming a county MTA chapter and hear from MTA director Marvin Radtke regarding road commissions pulling back on matching funds for local road improvements; he will report back in August.
- Zoning Administrator Scott Sheehan reported 24 STR violation letters sent, with 58 phone calls received in two days; 7 property owners confirmed they are no longer renting. Sheehan aims to begin issuing tickets next month and is moving Land Use/STR permit communications to email only.
- Zoning Board of Appeals (Jan Nowak) reported approval of a boardwalk (deck declined) for Peter and Kathleen DeLano on Little Traverse Lake. A new variance hearing for Rob Sturgeon (Lime Lake, 12-foot setback variance) is scheduled for August 7, 2025.
- Cedar Fire and Rescue: Kasson Township is considering an August referendum for a $5 million bond for a second fire station near Guffey's Auto on M72.
- Public hearing on the new CAFR Inter Local Agreement rescheduled to August 12, 2025, due to a posting error in the Enterprise.
- Clerk Tracy Olsen reported cemetery software options from Chronicle, with startup costs of $6,290 (basic) or $8,169 (with document scanning/upload) plus $756 annual fee; the board decided to hold off pending more affordable options.
Financial Summary
Treasurer's Report for June 30, 2025: Beginning Balance $622,917.67; Disbursements -$26,131.44; Revenue $9,657.66; Ending Balance $606,433.89. Approved 5-0. Payment of bills for July 8, 2025 approved 5-0.
Action Items
- Tim Stein to report back at the August meeting on the county MTA chapter and road commission funding discussion.
- Scott Sheehan and Tim Stein to coordinate on STR violation enforcement and ticketing.
- Board to review Leelanau Township's PILOT program and further discuss the Attainable Housing PILOT Ordinance at the August meeting.
- Public hearing on CAFR Inter Local Agreement scheduled for August 12, 2025.
- New ZBA variance hearing for Rob Sturgeon scheduled for August 7, 2025.
- 66PA audit scheduled for July 16, 2025.