Summary
This document is a letter of correspondence submitted to the Leelanau Township and Village of Northport boards, dated March 17, 2025, regarding a proposed land swap between Buster Dame Park and a 7th Street property. No board decisions or votes are recorded in this document; it is a written public comment for consideration.
Public Comments
Barbara Gilmore Weber, of S. Shore Drive, Northport, Michigan, submitted a written letter opposing the proposed township/village land swap of Buster Dame Park for the 7th Street property. She argued the swap "simply doesn’t make sense," proposing instead that the Village develop only a portion of the 7th Street property for housing while creating a separate green space park there, leaving Buster Dame Park intact as a township park. She suggested Buster Dame Park could be improved with safe walking paths for senior citizens, enhanced fitness equipment, and raised solar panels above the walkway to increase property value, noting Northport's population of active retired seniors. She also stated the 7th Street property's proximity to road-end bay access would appeal to home buyers. She urged both boards to apply their "wisdom and creativity" toward the Village's attainable/sustainable housing development plans, including consideration of a Co-Housing option, and to withdraw the proposed land swap. No response from the boards is recorded in this document.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The letter references the Village of Northport's ("NCV") plans for an attainable/sustainable housing development. Barbara Gilmore Weber proposed that a Co-Housing option be included among the possibilities considered for this development, and suggested that housing be built on only a portion of the 7th Street property rather than swapping it entirely for parkland.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The letter concerns Buster Dame Park, a township park proposed for a land swap. The writer proposed the park remain in township ownership and be improved for senior citizens with safer walking paths and enhanced fitness equipment, along with raised solar panels installed above the walkway. No decisions on these proposals are recorded in this document.
Action Items
- Barbara Gilmore Weber urged the Leelanau Township Board and Village of Northport Board to withdraw the proposed land swap of Buster Dame Park for the 7th Street property.
- She urged both boards to apply creative planning toward the Village's attainable/sustainable housing development, including consideration of a Co-Housing option.