Summary
The Leelanau Township Planning Commission continued work on updating the Township Master Plan, last reviewed five years prior. Consultant Beckett & Raeder is assisting with the update. The Commission reviewed a draft Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives, and a proposed Zoning Plan outlining new districts and policy directions for housing, shoreline protection, renewable energy, and airport zoning. No formal votes were recorded in this document; items remain in study/consideration status pending further drafting.
Public Comments
The document notes that an opinion survey was distributed and more than 400 responses were received from township residents, property owners, visitors, and other interested persons. A public information-gathering session was held at the township hall property, and the draft Master Plan Update was reviewed and discussed at that session. The Commission stated that additional public informational sessions will be held before the Plan is finalized. No individual speaker names or specific comments are recorded in this document.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The draft Goals and Objectives call for expanding housing opportunities and addressing housing shortages. The Zoning Plan proposes several mechanisms: encouraging "Missing Middle" housing (multi-family, duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, bunkhouses, dormitories) to support workforce housing; studying incentives for workforce housing development; reevaluating Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) standards to increase housing availability without adding short-term rentals; and considering increased density/housing types near the Village of Northport and Omena in cooperation with those communities. The plan also flags concern that short-term rental conversions—particularly of smaller, non-waterfront homes—are reducing long-term housing availability, and states the Township Board will continue monitoring this impact and may consider limiting short-term rental numbers.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The document notes the Township owns four parks providing public access to the Lake Michigan/Grand Traverse Bay shoreline (38.7 miles of shoreline total), and states that preserving this public access is a priority to be reinforced through Master Plan and Zoning Ordinance definitions of shoreline ownership limits.
Infrastructure Projects
The plan addresses energy and telecommunications infrastructure, including cell towers, EV chargers, and renewables. It notes 2023 Michigan legislation affecting local regulation of large-scale solar (50+ MW), wind (100+ MW), and battery storage (50+ MW capacity) facilities, and states the Township should research its regulatory options. Standards for smaller-scale community solar/wind projects (under 50 MW) are also to be developed. Airport zoning protections are proposed for Woolsey Memorial Airport and the two Fox Island airstrips, citing FAA guidance and state zoning requirements near runway approach areas.
Other Business
The Commission is developing new zoning district concepts, including Shoreline Residential, Rural Residential, a Village of Northport Perimeter/Omena overlay, and revisions to Agricultural, Commercial, and Industrial districts. A Master Plan glossary is being compiled, with several terms (e.g., Airport Zone, High Risk Erosion Area, Wetlands) still marked as pending definitions.
Action Items
- Continue holding public informational sessions before finalizing the Master Plan.
- Study and consider density/housing type changes near Northport and Omena, in cooperation with those communities.
- Reevaluate ADU standards and short-term rental limits to protect long-term housing stock.
- Research regulatory options for large-scale solar, wind, and battery storage facilities under new 2023 state law.
- Review Article 15 (Environmental Standards) of the zoning ordinance and establish airport area protective measures.
- Complete glossary definitions currently marked as pending.