Summary
This document consists of public comment submitted ahead of the Leelanau Township Planning Commission meeting regarding a proposed cellular communication tower and access driveway at 11015 N. Kitchen Road (Parcel 45-008-227-005-00). It includes a letter of opposition from a neighboring property owner and a follow-up informational email from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) addressing wetland concerns raised about the project.
Public Comments
Daniel B. Stowe, of 11121 N. Mill Street, Northport, submitted a written letter dated January 28, 2025, opposing the proposed tower and driveway. Stowe, who owns and operates a cattle farm on the east side of Kitchen Road and whose family has historic ties to the area (the Kitchen house was originally owned by his great-grandfather, Oscar Kitchen), raised several concerns: Kitchen Road is impassable in winter, raising questions about how the tower would be serviced; heavy equipment maneuvering in the confined, steep-graded area could cause erosion and damage to century-old maple trees; drainage from the site could carry silt, sand, and clay onto his farm pastures via an existing culvert, potentially harming his cattle. He also proposed that the Township investigate less obtrusive tower alternatives used by other northern Michigan waterfront communities before proceeding. Stowe referenced discussion at the Commission's January 23 meeting regarding "environmental remediation" plans.
A separate written communication was submitted by Robyn Schmidt, EGLE Water Resources Division (Cadillac District Office), responding to a Township inquiry about wetland issues tied to the project. Schmidt reported reviewing the special land use application materials (Machin Engineering review, Drain Commissioner letter, project plans, and wetland map) and coordinating with Steve Christensen, Leelanau County Drain Commissioner and Soil Erosion Agent, who agreed the wetland boundary was "easily identifiable." EGLE noted the wetland lies in a lower-elevation "valley" while the project is proposed at a higher elevation, and that plans include a stormwater control basin to prevent runoff discharge into the wetland. Schmidt noted the wetland is regulated under Part 303 of NREPA and offered information on EGLE's voluntary Pre-Application Meeting process for an on-site review, which produces a letter valid for two years, suggesting snow-free conditions would be more suitable for such a review.
Infrastructure Projects
The proposed project is a cellular communication tower and new access driveway at 11015 N. Kitchen Road. Concerns raised include winter accessibility of Kitchen Road, potential erosion from heavy equipment during construction, tree removal/damage, and drainage impacts on adjacent farmland. EGLE confirmed the project site is at higher elevation than the identified wetland and noted planned stormwater controls; no state wetland permit determination was reported as finalized. No vote or decision on the tower application is reported in this document.
Action Items
- Daniel B. Stowe requested the Planning Commission investigate alternative, less obtrusive communication methods used by other northern Michigan communities before proceeding with construction.
- EGLE's Robyn Schmidt indicated availability of a voluntary Pre-Application Meeting/on-site wetland review, recommending it be conducted under snow-free conditions; this has not yet been reported as scheduled.
- No formal Commission decision or vote on the tower application is documented; the matter appears to remain under review following the January 23 meeting discussion referenced in Stowe's letter.