Summary
The Leelanau Township Planning Commission met on April 24, 2025, with Chair Steve Kalchik presiding and all seven members present. The Commission approved the agenda and the March 13, 2025 minutes, discussed housing following the April 9, 2025 Northport Housing Meeting, continued work on the Master Plan (Coastlands, Dark Sky, and Coastal Planning & Resiliency sections), and extended the meeting to complete the agenda. The Township Board report noted several approvals, and Commissioner Gans raised discussion on the Capital Improvement Plan process.
Public Comments
During the first public comment period, Elizabeth Malleck asked whether public comments could be posted online; no response is recorded. During the second public comment period, Malleck raised concerns that a guest house affects homestead taxes, expressed concern about "McMansions," cited a concept house priced at $14.5 million as a concern, and stated she understood the sewer situation. No formal responses from the Commission are recorded for either comment.
Correspondence noted included two emails from Doug Whitley (dated 3/28/2025) on housing and Leelanau County population, and an email from David Brigham (dated 4/9/2025) on the Northport Housing meeting; these were listed as announcements/correspondence but not summarized in detail in the minutes.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The Commission discussed the April 9, 2025 Northport Housing Meeting, calling it "a good first step for Northport." Topics included Leelanau County's consideration of a workshop on PILOT and TIF Ordinances, the cottage cluster concept as promising, the online Housing Toolkit from the Michigan Association of Planning, housing for seasonal workers, and the potential for dormitory-style houses and guest houses/ADUs. The Commission also discussed that connecting housing projects to municipal sewer is more costly than on-site septic systems. No votes or formal decisions were recorded on these items.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Township Board report noted that the Board discussed Parks & Rec, but no further detail was provided in these minutes.
Infrastructure Projects
As part of the housing discussion, the Commission noted that municipal sewer connection costs for housing projects are higher than on-site septic systems. No further infrastructure projects were discussed.
Other Business
The Commission continued its Master Plan Workshop, reviewing and revising the Coastlands section, Dark Sky chapter, and Coastal Planning & Resiliency section, with Zoning Administrator Patmore editing text during review; the next meeting will address Adaptation Strategies. Patmore is also working to make a working copy of the Master Plan available online in searchable format.
The Township Board report (given by Gans) noted: a closed session on the Sportsman Club Lease; a presentation from the Leelanau County Road Commission; approval of a sick time policy; approval of two local government resolutions for wineries on Houdek Road and Matheson Road; and that a new Township Assessor has started. Kalchik noted forty cars were observed on the Houdek Road property subject to the winery discussion.
Gans raised the topic of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), noting that the Planning Commission previously prepared a CIP for the Township Board, but the Board rarely followed it in spending and budgeting. It was suggested that individual departments prepare their own CIPs and that the Planning Commission serve as a reviewer of the CIP document coordinated by the Board.
Action Items
Zoning Administrator Patmore to continue working on an online, searchable version of the Master Plan working copy. The Commission will resume Master Plan review at the next meeting, focusing on Adaptation Strategies. Next scheduled meeting: Thursday, May 8, 2025.