Summary
This document consists solely of public comments submitted to the Leelanau Planning Commission regarding a proposed cell phone tower in Leelanau Township, ahead of the November 14, 2024 meeting. No votes, staff reports, or board decisions are recorded in this material; it reflects written correspondence sent to zoning official Steve Patmore.
Public Comments
Four written comments were submitted regarding the proposed telecommunications tower, three in support and one in opposition.
- Cliff and Roberta Hale (10005 N Old Farm Rd, Northport) wrote in support, citing intermittent Verizon connectivity at their residence and the need for reliable cell service.
- Ed Hardy, writing on behalf of family with three houses on Cathead Pt. Road, supported the tower, noting they currently must drive to a main road to make calls or send texts.
- Peter M. Maginot (12372 N. Shores Ct., Northport) supported the county's permit application, stating there is virtually no cell service at his home and calling reliable service a matter of health, safety, and quality of life.
- Paris Morse submitted a detailed letter opposing the project, arguing it violates the Leelanau Township Master Plan and Zoning Ordinances. Morse cited alleged inaccuracies in the application, including unauthorized easements (p.41), a false photo of the driveway location (p.140), a mischaracterized excavation footprint map (p.111), and an incomplete map of existing towers (p.98). Morse also argued the proposed 200-foot tower and 5,000 sq ft excavated area would violate steep-slope, scenic view, and maritime character provisions of the Master Plan (pages 23, 25, 35, 47, 49), and that it breaches Zoning Ordinance sections 18.1 B, 18.1 D, 18.4 A (tower height exceeding the prior approved height), and 12.6 B 1 and 3 (change of area character and added public costs due to Kitchen Rd being an unplowed seasonal road). Morse noted the road commission's letter only requires a driveway permit application, not approval, and urged that improved cell service could be achieved without violating township rules.
Infrastructure Projects
The proposed cell tower project involves construction of a roughly 200-foot telecommunications tower and an access road off Kitchen Rd, a seasonal, unplowed road. Supporters emphasize poor existing cell connectivity in the township. Opponent Paris Morse contends the project's siting on steep slopes near a wetland and ridgeline would violate multiple Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance provisions, including a height restriction limiting replacement towers to the prior approved height. No decision or vote on the application is documented in this material.
Action Items
- Planning Commission to consider the county's tower permit application, with conflicting public input for and against the project.
- Concerns raised by Paris Morse regarding alleged inaccuracies in the application (driveway photo, excavation map, tower map, easements) may require review or response by the Commission.
- Road commission driveway permit application referenced as outstanding/required, not yet approved.