Summary
The Solon Township Board met on June 11, 2026, with all five board members present. Key actions included approving the agenda with an added item on a Data Center moratorium, accepting the Treasurer's report and vouchers, approving repairs to the township hall, approving a porta-jon at the Solon Schoolhouse, approving reopening the Interlocal Fire Department Agreement, approving the Cedar Area Fire & Rescue 2026-2030 Strategic Plan, and approving deputization of an assistant clerk and MTA dues. The board also received a Planning Commission report covering a denied rezoning request, approved Short Term Rental zoning text amendments, and building permit threshold changes. Discussion continued on Short Term Rental and Food Truck licensing ordinances, with no final action taken on either.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered under the initial Public Comment agenda item (Item 6).
Under the second Public Comment period (Item 12), the following comments were made:
- Lisa Brett asked for clarification on the lease agreement; Shirley Mikowski explained that a use agreement was approved but a lease agreement is still needed.
- Jim Johnson stated he is neither for nor against short term rentals and is glad most current owners are good landlords. He believes the proposed ordinance will help prevent "slum landlords."
- Tim Johnson expressed appreciation that the township is addressing data centers and stated he is not in favor of them.
- Karen Smith raised concern about landscaping in front of the township hall, noting only some bushes had been removed; she felt all the bushes should be removed.
In Township Board Comments, Joan Gauthier agreed with Karen Smith that all bushes in front of the township hall should be removed.
A written FOIA request was also received from Emily Gibson regarding the Cedar Sol Taco Stand & Hydro Farm at 9452 S. Cedar Rd.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Kelly Claar reported the Parks and Recreation Committee met May 18, 2026, and worked on drafting a Use Agreement for classes held at the township hall. The next committee meeting is scheduled for June 15, 2026, at 6:30 P.M.
Vlack's Park: Cleanup by Deering Tree Service is expected to be completed by the end of June, including repair of gouges caused by heavy equipment. Kelly Claar is coordinating with District Forester Jacob Moord on a volunteer tree-planting event, potentially involving 500+ trees. Fencing panels and t-posts still need to be purchased, expected to stay within the previously approved $1,400.00 budget.
Policy/Recreation Classes and Hall Rental/Classes: A resident requested reserving the riverside pavilions for a memorial service; since the township has no fee structure, the board noted the requester would simply need to arrive early to reserve the space.
Solon Schoolhouse/Porta-Jon: Painting of the schoolhouse is underway. Motion by Kelly Claar, seconded by Joan Gauthier, to place a porta-jon at the Solon Schoolhouse through Labor Day. Motion carried 5-0.
Banner Design: A 10' x 4' vinyl banner (white with red border, red/navy text reading "America 250, 1776-2026, Solon Township est. 1871") is expected to be ready by June 25, 2026, at an estimated cost of $194.00, under the previously approved $500.00 budget.
Parks Ordinance: Kelly Claar asked whether the Parks Committee should incorporate language recommended by the Zoning Administrator; the board agreed they should.
Cedar Chamber of Commerce (tennis courts): Renee Lemcool reported the tennis courts need patching (30-40 man hours, estimated cost $1,500.00-$3,000.00). Flowers have been planted. Shirley Mikowski will draft the lease agreement for the tennis courts, and two lease agreements were prepared for Polka Fest.
Infrastructure Projects
Brendan Mullane, Manager of the Leelanau County Road Commission, presented the Road Commission's 2025 annual report, including budget and activity details (available at leelanau.gov/solontwp.asp).
Cedar River Marina Project: Chris Comeaux reported he contacted the township attorney regarding the Cedar River Project and expects a response next month. The Treasurer's report listed Cedar River Marina Project funds totaling $25,750.69 (non-township funds).
Cemetery: Shirley Mikowski reported that Brian Weber will begin filling and seeding the cemetery roads the following week.
Other Business
- Correspondence: A FOIA request was received from Emily Gibson regarding the Cedar Sol Taco Stand & Hydro Farm.
- Planning Commission (reported by Steve Yoder): A rezoning request from Jason Gibson (2881 E. Aspen Drive, RA-5 to Agriculture-Conservation) was denied due to Future Land Use map designation of RA-2. Short Term Rental Zoning District text amendment was approved. A minimum building size exemption (200 sq ft or less) from land use permits was approved, subject to setback requirements. The Demolition Permit requirement was removed from the ordinance. The Special Use Permit request by Corey Flaska for the old bank building in Cedar was reviewed; setbacks are no longer an issue, but updated letters from the Road Commission, Health Department, and Fire Department are required.
- Township Hall Repairs: Motion by Kelly Claar, seconded by Joan Gauthier, to approve Youthwork Conservation Corps to power wash the township hall and paint all trim around windows, doors, and the front door overhead, not to exceed $3,000.00. Motion carried 5-0.
- Fire Department Station Report: Chris Comeaux reported ongoing coordination with Kasson and Cleveland Townships regarding the fire station. Motion by Shirley Mikowski, seconded by Kelly Claar, to open the Interlocal Fire Department Agreement for Cedar Area Fire & Rescue between Centerville, Cleveland, Kasson, and Solon Townships for renegotiation. Motion carried 5-0.
- Fire Department Strategic Plan: Motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Steve Morgan, to approve the Cedar Area Fire & Rescue 2026-2030 Strategic Plan as written. Motion carried 5-0.
- Fire Board/Alternate: No action was taken.
- Short Term Rentals: Zoning Administrator Sara Schroeder explained the proposal to separate short term rentals into a licensing ordinance (police power) apart from the Zoning Ordinance. Board members raised various questions and concerns (documentation for ownership, floor plan requirements, septic permits, occupancy permits, permit limits per owner, annual renewal). Joan Gauthier felt the draft was too strict and questioned township involvement in rule-making. Kelly Claar raised concerns about permit tracking and fairness of the two-permit limit. Shirley Mikowski noted her 20 years of experience cleaning short term rentals and said owners typically already have rules for renters. Steve Morgan noted short term rental owners are satisfied with the ordinance. No vote was taken.
- Food Truck Ordinance: Zoning Administrator Sara Schroeder recommended making this a licensing ordinance outside the Zoning Ordinance. Joan Gauthier clarified that the Polish Arts Center was issued a Land Use Permit for a food truck. Steve Morgan expressed concern about changing course after Planning Commission work already invested; Ms. Schroeder offered to continue guiding the process. No vote was taken.
- MTA/Board Policies: Tabled.
- Master Plan: Reported by Steve Morgan as on hold.
- Election/Assistant: Motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Kelly Claar, to approve the clerk's deputization of Kailey Brown to assist with elections and other duties. Motion carried 5-0.
- August Meeting: Joan Gauthier asked about moving the August meeting to August 13 due to travel plans; the board agreed to keep the original date of August 20, 2026.
- Moratorium/Data Centers: Sara Schroeder said she will have the Planning Commission work on moratorium/data center language. Kelly Claar suggested forming a committee to work on this issue (proposal only, no board action recorded).
Financial Summary
Treasurer Joan Gauthier reported renewing the Fire Fund CD for nine months and receiving $34,850.00 in delinquent taxes from the county, most of which will go into the Fire Fund.
- Huntington Bank Checking: $51,155.05
- Huntington Bank General Savings (2010): $51,346.58
- Huntington Bank General Savings CD 1007: $250,000.00
- Huntington Bank General Savings CD: $112,354.30
- Huntington Bank General Savings CD: $54,408.14
- Total General Savings: $468,109.02
- Total Funds Available: $519,264.07
- Road Improvement Fund (2049): $612.47
- Road Improvement Fund CD: $38,819.37
- Total Road Improvement Fund: $39,431.84
- Fire Fund Savings (2023): $595.33
- Fire Fund CD: $106,195.57
- Fire Fund CD: $87,316.44
- Total Fire Sinking: $194,107.34
- Sidewalk Fund (2036): $13,868.16
- Sidewalk Fund: $8,664.57
- Total Sidewalk Fund: $22,532.73
- Parks Improvement Fund: $40,689.44
- Total Other Township Funds Available: $296,761.35
- Total Current Assets: $816,025.42
- Non-Township Funds - Cedar River Marina Project (7383): $796.38
- Cedar River CD: $9,000.00
- Cedar River CD: $15,954.31
- Total Cedar River: $25,750.69
- Parks and Recreation: $1,455.95
- Parks and Recreation CD: $23,756.99
- Total Parks and Recreation Fund: $25,212.94
Vouchers #16398-16435 were submitted for payment. Motion by Steve Morgan, seconded by Kelly Claar, to accept the Treasurer's report and payment of vouchers as presented. Motion carried 5-0.