Summary
The Glen Arbor Township Planning Commission met March 1, 2025, with Chairman Lance Roman presiding. Members approved the February minutes and heard reports from the Township Board and Zoning Administrator. The Commission continued work on the Master Plan update and discussed reorganizing zoning ordinance review items, but took no final votes on substantive ordinance changes. Dave Burton was absent; no audience was present at either public comment period.
Public Comments
There was no audience in attendance during either public comment period, so no public comments were received.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Township Board reported discussions with Leelanau School regarding charging fees for gym and tennis court rental for pickleball. The Board also discussed installing positioning cameras at the tennis courts and boat launch. Separately, Martin Kimpston gave a Tree City USA presentation; Commission members discussed the initiative and recommended that the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce might be the organization to champion the project.
Other Business
- Zoning Administrator Tim Cypher reported a busy month for phone calls, but no actions were taken; his full February report was to be emailed to Commission members.
- The Zoning Board of Appeals reported no appeals, per Andy Dotterweich.
- The Township Board discussed reappointing all positions on boards with expired terms, the new State of Michigan sick time policy, and renewed insurance.
- A public hearing review was discussed; minutes will be sent to the County for approval.
- Master Plan Review: Cypher emailed the first chapters; the Commission plans to work on it incrementally each month. Roman suggested public input sessions are "generally not fruitful." Cypher will prepare Chapters 3 and 4 for the April meeting; members may email him directly with input.
- Review of ZOv5.2 items: Roman proposed combining and tabelizing accessory building, shipping container use, and Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Frogs items. The Commission decided to address accessory buildings and shipping containers in April, and to handle ADU/Frogs separately.
- An ordinance punch list item on solar and wind was noted for future review; no action was taken.
- Cypher offered input on font size formatting for the tabelized ordinance sections.
Financial Summary
The Township Board accepted a bid from Elmers in excess of $90,000 for repaving of the parking lot.
Action Items
- Zoning Administrator Cypher to email the full February report to Commission members.
- Cypher to prepare Master Plan Chapters 3 and 4 for the April meeting.
- Commission members to email Cypher directly with Master Plan input.
- Commission to review accessory buildings and shipping container use items in April.
- Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) and Frogs items to be addressed separately in a future meeting.
- Solar and wind ordinance items remain on the punch list for future review.