Summary
The Leelanau Township Planning Commission's February 13, 2025 meeting packet centered on the wireless communications tower Special Land Use Permit written decision, the fiscal year 2025-26 budget recommendation, the draft 2024 Annual Report, and pressure to expedite the Master Plan update. Extensive written public comment was submitted regarding the cell tower and township broadband/fiber optic internet rollout.
Public Comments
Several written comments were submitted ahead of the meeting. David Brigham and Dan Ray raised concerns about delays in the county's fiber optic internet installation near Sugar Bush, Kilcherman, Seven Pines Road, and Cathead Bay Road, questioning the project's financial status and installation timeline. William Harper responded to Ray directly, disputing claims of "no internet," stating fiber optic service was guaranteed to every home by spring 2025 and arguing the proposed cell tower would offer much slower speeds than fiber and could not be built as quickly.
Brigitte Middleton-Brown (10492 East Peterson Park Rd.) wrote in opposition to the cell tower, citing zoning ordinance violations, impact on the area's character, and no guarantee of improved service.
Anne Harper shared background on the tower project's history, noting a 2021 township request for county help after a study found Leelanau Township the most underserved area in the county for cell service; she suggested residents needing service should get involved with the Township Board.
Gerald Schatz submitted an American Cancer Society document ("Do Cell Phone Towers Cause Cancer?") referencing his earlier comments at a prior meeting and requested it be entered into the public record; the document concludes there is no strong evidence RF waves from cell towers cause cancer, though more research is recommended.
Barb Conley proposed (in correspondence to Steve Patmore and Steve Kalchik) discussing a possible joint meeting with the Northport Village Planning Commission, suggesting attainable housing and economic growth as topics.
Ann Marie Mitchell submitted a memo urging the Commission and Township Board to fast-track the Master Plan, citing its importance for state housing funding eligibility, and recommending an advisory committee of former commissioners plus a consultant, along with commissioner training via MSU's Citizen Planner program.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The attached January 28, 2025 Leadership Team memo (submitted by Ann Marie Mitchell and Doug Whitley) reported housing as the top shared priority among local government leaders. Discussion referenced the Vincer West Project (four homes built in 2020), potential development on Buster Dame Park land, and 24 acres acquired by New Community Vision. Officials discussed pursuing a Frankfort Housing Commission-style model, a possible land swap between village and township expected to finalize in Q2 2025, and conversations with Peninsula Housing; Jim Dyer suggested a housing land trust with private management. The memo noted the township's 10-acre land requirement as a barrier to housing diversity, and noted the village has allowed accessory dwelling units since 2018 and reduced lot size/square footage minimums. A new Michigan law offering tax abatements for income-eligible rental housing (sunsetting December 31, 2027) was also flagged for further study.
Infrastructure Projects
The wireless communications tower Special Land Use Permit application submitted by Leelanau County Administration for 11015 N. Kitchen Road was the subject of a written decision to be verified at this meeting, following the January 30, 2025 decision. Public comment reflected ongoing opposition and debate over the tower's necessity given the concurrent county fiber optic buildout.
Fiber optic internet installation was discussed extensively in public comments, with residents describing incomplete conduit, junction box, and fiber-pulling work along Seven Pines Road, North Lighthouse Point Road, and Cathead Bay Road, with completion timing uncertain despite a spring 2025 target.
The memo also noted NLTUA sewer capacity and bond payments concluding in 2028, with future capital expenditures tied to potential Northport housing expansion.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The 2024 Annual Report draft noted a presentation from New Community Vision regarding the Timber Shores property owned by RTVS Acquisitions, LLC.
Financial Summary
The FY2025-26 Planning Commission budget recommendation included: Zoning Administrator wages requested/recommended at $26,000 (up from $25,000 original/amended); Recording Secretary $4,300 (from $4,100); Per Diem $5,100 (from $5,000); Social Security $1,700; new Pension Plan Contribution of $2,600; new Operating Supplies and Office Equipment lines of $2,000 each; Contract Services recommended at $39,000 (from $38,000); Legal Services flagged at $2,000; Mileage held at $100; Printing and Publishing held at $2,500; Education and Training increased to $3,000 (from $2,000). Steve Patmore's budget notes requested a cost-of-living wage increase, additional part-time clerical assistance, comparison of per-meeting commissioner compensation with other townships, $1,000 for his own training, $2,000-$3,000 for commission training, retention of the $20,000 Master Plan consultant allocation, a $2,000 legal placeholder, and computer/remote-access equipment upgrades.
Other Business
The agenda included approval of Planning Commission minutes, review of the draft 2024 Annual Report to the Township Board, consideration of zoning ordinance amendment suggestions, and a Master Plan update discussion. The 2024 Annual Report draft noted commissioners Tom Weber and Gina Harder left the Commission (Weber mid-year, Harder after not seeking re-election), a farm stay camping zoning ordinance text amendment request from Phil and Sandy (surname not given) requiring revised language from the Zoning Administrator, and commissioner participation in a Northern Michigan Environmental Action Council awards event and Leadership Committee meetings.
Action Items
Verify the written decision on the wireless tower SLU application for 11015 N. Kitchen Road. Prioritize completion of the Master Plan update in 2025, as urged in Ann Marie Mitchell's memo. Steve Patmore to present revised farm stay camping zoning language to the Commission. Gerald Schatz's submitted American Cancer Society document to be entered into the public record. Continued follow-up needed on the proposed joint Village-Township Planning Commission meeting suggested by Barb Conley. Note the recurring pattern of conflict between residents (e.g., Middleton-Brown, Ray, Brigham) opposing the cell tower and others (e.g., Harper) supporting the fiber alternative, reflecting ongoing community division on this infrastructure issue.