Summary
The Leelanau Planning Commission received a written public comment from Phyllis Rebori, dated September 6, 2024, offering feedback on the June 27, 2024, draft Farm Stay Campsites ordinance ahead of the Public Hearing. The letter focused on definitional clarity, operational limitations, and submittal requirements within the draft.
Public Comments
Phyllis Rebori submitted a written letter raising several concerns about the draft Farm Stay Campsites ordinance:
- She noted inconsistent terminology across the draft, including "commercial farming activity" and "commercial agricultural use," and pointed out that the Michigan Right to Farm Act (Act 93 of 1981) does not define "commercial agricultural use," though it does define "Farm" and "Farm Operation" (Section 286.472), both referencing "commercial production."
- She suggested the Commission either adopt the Act's "Farm" and "Farm Operation" definitions throughout the ordinance for consistency, or alternatively retain the original language but add specific definitions for "Commercial Farming Activity" and "Commercial Agricultural Use." She provided example revised language for sections I.1, III.A, and III.B.1.
- She commended the provision in III.B.10 allowing for potential landscaping, screening, or buffering requirements.
- She flagged that III.C contains a numbering error (two items labeled "2").
- Regarding maximum length of stay (III.C.6), she asked whether farm workers staying onsite would pay camping fees and whether their presence would trigger additional state or federal requirements, and who would monitor compliance.
- Regarding maximum number of guests (III.C.7), she asked whether the term refers to campers or non-camping guests, and suggested establishing a required departure time for non-camping guests.
- On submittal requirements (III.D.3.K), she asked whether trespassing-prevention measures apply to campers, non-camper guests, or both.
No response from the Commission is recorded in this document.
Action Items
- Commission to consider Rebori's suggestions for clarifying and standardizing definitions ("Farm," "Farm Operation," "commercial agricultural use") in the Farm Stay Campsites draft ordinance.
- Correct the duplicate numbering error in Section III.C of the draft.
- Clarify whether provisions on maximum length of stay and maximum number of guests apply to workers, campers, and/or non-camping guests, including fee and departure requirements.
- Clarify scope of trespassing-prevention measures in Section III.D.3.K.