Summary
The Leelanau Planning Commission reviewed the June 26, 2025 working draft of the Leelanau Township Master Plan Update, prepared with consultant Beckett & Rader. The draft compiles goals for land use, housing, economic development, natural features, coastal resiliency, parks, and transportation, and reflects input from a 2021 community survey (505 responses) and open house, plus a 2022+ opinion survey of over 400 respondents. Further public informational sessions are planned before the plan is finalized.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The draft identifies a significant housing shortage: Housing North's 2025 needs assessment projects Leelanau Township will need roughly 39 additional rental units (mostly for households earning under $26,000) and 32 ownership units. Median home value is $298,000 and median rent $1,070, both above county and state levels; 79% of renters surveyed said housing was not attainable on their budget. Strategies discussed include "Missing Middle" housing (duplexes, triplexes, townhomes), Accessory Dwelling Units, micro-units/tiny homes, cluster development, co-housing, and public-private partnerships such as development agreements, land banking (via the Leelanau County Land Bank Fast Track Authority), brownfield redevelopment financing, and community land trusts. Proposed zoning changes include reducing minimum lot sizes in R2, R3A, and R3S districts and refining ADU residency requirements.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Township owns 285 acres across six parks (Braman Hill Recreation Area, Peterson Park, Buster Dame Park, Omena Beach Park, Christmas Cove Beach, Woolsey Airfield). The 2022 Parks and Recreation Master Plan renewed state recreation-funding eligibility. The Leelanau Conservancy has protected over 18,000 acres and 64 miles of shoreline/stream frontage countywide, including six preserves in the Township (Lighthouse West, Kehl Lake, Finton, Jeff Lamont, Gull Island, Soper). Leelanau State Park (1,550 acres) drew 279,671 day visitors in 2018.
Infrastructure Projects
The Village of Northport and Township jointly operate a wastewater system (NLTUA) with limited remaining capacity. Water quality protection measures discussed include a proposed Time of Sale/Transfer (TOST) septic/well inspection ordinance (67% survey support), possible enrollment in the state Wellhead Protection Program, and pursuit of Michigan Coastal Zone Management Program (CZMP) grant funding for shoreline stabilization projects (examples cited: $75,000 Weko Beach restoration, $37,879 Grand Haven Lighthouse restoration). Shoreline armoring structures were flagged as harmful to beach health, with 35% of residents surveyed viewing them negatively.
Other Business
Additional draft topics include new zoning districts (Shoreline Residential, Rural Residential, Village Perimeter/Omena overlay), agritourism regulation, solar/wind energy standards, airport zoning (Woolsey Memorial, North/South Fox Island airstrips), dark sky lighting preservation (81% support), non-motorized transportation planning, and continued coordination with the Village of Northport on shared services and possible joint planning.
Action Items
- Planning Commission to draft zoning amendments for reduced lot sizes, ADUs, and micro-units.
- Board of Trustees to consider entering a land-bank agreement with Leelanau County.
- Board to consider adopting a TOST inspection ordinance and enrolling in the Wellhead Protection Program.
- Staff to pursue CZMP grant funding for coastal projects.
- Continued collaboration with the Village of Northport on housing, shared services, and light-pollution control.
- Further public informational sessions to be scheduled before plan completion.