Summary
The Leelanau Township Planning Commission reconvened a suspended public hearing on January 9, 2025, regarding Leelanau County's special use permit application for a 195-foot communications tower on Kitchen/Garthe Road. The document consists of public comments submitted before the meeting, showing strong majority support alongside vocal opposition from immediate neighbors. A final Commission decision was expected around January 23, 2025, with the comment period remaining open until then.
Public Comments
Doug Whitley submitted a lengthy essay (circulated widely and referenced by many supporters) arguing the tower is needed for public safety, 911 access, and modern connectivity, citing Township Resolution 2022-01 and the County's multi-year site evaluation. Numerous residents wrote in support, including Dr. Stephen Orr and Dr. Ami Orr (citing medical emergencies and cardiac history), Todd Hoogland (Shores Board Association President), Christine Polo, Susan Hsieh, Sue Warrick-Smith, John Freeman, David Watkins, Stephen S. Holmes, David Forester, Lawrence Anderson, Anne Anderson, Ed Dolan, Barbara Stark-Nemon (describing a beach injury emergency), Elaine Piper (describing her son's injury), Lynn and Ralph DeJong, and Joe DeFors. As of Whitley's writing, supportive emails outnumbered opposition 48 to 21.
Opposition came primarily from residents near the proposed site. Michael McMillan submitted a formal letter urging postponement or denial, questioning the lack of a signed carrier commitment, absence of an updated five-year township plan (last done in 2010), and process concerns. Rebecca Teahen submitted a detailed letter opposing the project, alleging inadequate public process, conflict of interest involving landowner and Planning Commissioner Brian Mitchell, questionable use of public funds for a private access road, and violation of zoning ordinances/master plan; she proposed alternatives like Braman Hill, the former wind turbine site, or signal repeaters. Her daughter, ninth-grader Elsie Purdy Teahen, also wrote opposing the tower on aesthetic and process grounds. A handwritten note from a Grade 9 student ("Grant") also opposed the tower's ugliness.
Infrastructure Projects
The application concerns a County-owned 195-foot communications tower at Kitchen/Garthe Road, replacing an existing 40–65-foot antenna. The County would own and maintain it as part of its 911 emergency network. Site selection followed propagation studies (initially five hills, later including Braman Hill per Supervisor McMillan's request) determining Kitchen Road offered superior coverage. Supporting studies came from Machin Engineering, Environmental Assessment Specialists, the County Conservation District, and USDA, with Progressive AE assisting the 262-page revised application. Midway Electronics, Inc. (Rensselaer, Indiana) was awarded construction. Opponents disputed the site selection process and environmental/scenic impacts.
Financial Summary
The Township Board voted unanimously three times to commit $100,000 (from ARPA funds) toward the tower. Cherryland Electric Cooperative committed $150,000. Total project cost was estimated to exceed $550,000. McMillan's letter disputed that committed funds cover the full project cost and questioned the cost-benefit case absent a confirmed carrier commitment.
Action Items
The Planning Commission was expected to make a final determination on the special use permit around January 23, 2025. The public comment period remains open until a final decision is made. Notable ongoing conflict centers on the Kitchen Road site selection and the role of landowner/Commissioner Brian Mitchell, flagged by opponents as needing scrutiny.