Summary
This document consists entirely of public written comments submitted to the Leelanau Township Trustees and Planning Commission ahead of the May 9, 2024 meeting. The comments address two matters: a proposed zoning change to permit glamping farmstays on agricultural properties, and a proposed 195-foot communications tower on parcel #008-227-005-00 on Kitchen Road. The tower drew strong, sustained opposition from multiple residents, while the farmstay proposal received one supportive letter.
Public Comments
Tom De Napoli of Mimic Farms wrote in support of Phil and Sarah Hallstedt's proposed zoning change to allow glamping farmstays on agricultural land, arguing it would help small farms remain economically viable, though he noted his own property would not qualify under the proposed ordinance.
Multiple residents submitted letters opposing the planned communications tower on parcel #008-227-005-00 (west side of Kitchen Road): Megan Ernst (903 N. Mill St., Northport) submitted two nearly identical letters citing environmental harm and lack of Planning Commission approval; the Overdier family (830 N. Kitchen Rd.) raised concerns about drainage and wetland impacts, lack of resident notification, and asked the Township to "STOP" and restart the process; Karen Puschel Segal and Sandra L. King (312 Nagonaba) cited lack of transparency and requested reconsideration of the site; James and Paris Morse detailed conflicts with the Zoning Ordinance (Section 18.1) and Master Plan, comparing the tower's height to a 19-story building, taller than Traverse City's Park Place Hotel (125 feet), and cited impacts on ridgeline, wetlands, and property values; Claudia Wigger (10533 E Garthe Road) cited harm to scenic views identified in the Township Master Plan (page 25); and Robert and Katherine Bensley (11031 N. Kitchen Rd.) raised health concerns about RF/EMF exposure, given Robert's background as a public health professor and Katherine's work as a hospice nurse, and described discovering surveyors on their property without prior notice. The Bensleys also described contact with Township Supervisor Mike McMillan and Leelanau County Emergency Management Director Matt Ansorge, who reportedly suggested relocating the access road, though wetlands prevented this. No responses from the Trustees or Planning Commission are recorded in this document.
Infrastructure Projects
The proposed 195-foot communications tower on Kitchen Road was the central infrastructure issue raised. Residents alleged the project's site pad, access road, and grading were inconsistent with the Leelanau Township Zoning Ordinance and Master Plan, particularly regarding Steep Slopes and Scenic View Preservation maps (pages 24-25). Concerns included wetland disruption, runoff, tree clearing, ridgeline visibility from Northport Village and Northport Point, decreased property values, and potential RF/EMF health effects. Several letters noted the project appeared to proceed without proper Planning Commission approval or adequate resident notification. No Trustee or Commission decisions or votes are recorded in this document.
Other Business
A proposed zoning ordinance change to allow glamping farmstays on agricultural properties was referenced via a supportive letter from Tom De Napoli, but no Commission discussion, decision, or vote is recorded in this document.
Action Items
No formal action items, deadlines, or assignments are recorded in this document. However, the recurring pattern of resident opposition to the Kitchen Road communications tower - citing zoning non-compliance, inadequate notification, and health and environmental concerns - represents an unresolved conflict that multiple letter-writers urged the Trustees and Planning Commission to address before proceeding.