Summary
The Leelanau Township Planning Commission met September 26, 2024, to continue work on the Farm Stay Campground zoning text amendment, hold a Master Plan Workshop, and review prior meeting minutes. The Commission's main substantive action was finalizing the Farm Stay Campground amendment, which had been unanimously recommended on September 12, 2024, for submission to the Leelanau County Planning Commission before returning to the Township Board.
Public Comments
Several written comments were submitted to the Commission via Steve Patmore (Zoning Administrator):
- Betty Jean Muller (14317 North Cathead Bay Drive, Northport) wrote that cell phones do not work at her home, requiring a 10-15 minute drive to reach service, and that AT&T confirmed it no longer offers new landline service in the area, which she called a life-threatening gap in 911 access. She urged the Commission to consider expanding cell service.
- Patrick McCarthy, a cardiac surgeon with a home in Northport, wrote in support of the proposed cell tower, describing unreliable landline and internet service and the safety risks poor coverage poses for reaching healthcare providers and first responders. He urged the Commission to vote to approve the tower.
- David Brigham (Leelanau Forum) submitted two emails and an essay, "Rewilding Northport Creek," urging restoration of Northport Creek as a free-flowing coldwater trout stream by removing the deteriorating Mill Pond Dam. He requested a meeting with NAHA to discuss the proposal and shared photos of pond conditions. These were forwarded to the Commission for awareness but are Brigham's personal proposals, not Commission decisions.
Infrastructure Projects
Cell tower/cell service: Correspondence from residents (Muller, McCarthy) raised concerns about inadequate cell coverage and eroding landline reliability, urging Commission support for a proposed cell tower to improve coverage north of Northport. No vote or decision on the tower is recorded in this document.
Northport Creek/Mill Pond Dam: David Brigham's submitted essay describes the Mill Pond Dam (owned by the Village of Northport) as severely deteriorated, clogged with sediment, weeds and algae, and recommends dam removal and stream restoration to benefit the trout fishery. No Township action was taken; this was informational correspondence forwarded to the Commission.
Other Business
The agenda included a Master Plan Workshop and review of prior meeting minutes, but no specific outcomes from these items are detailed in the document.
Financial Summary
The Brigham essay (not township action) notes historical Village of Northport figures: a 2010-2011 dredging cost of $30,000 to Village taxpayers, and $50,000 appropriated in the Village's 2021 budget for an engineering study of the Mill Pond Dam structure. These are Village, not Township, financial matters.
Action Items
- Forward the amended Farm Stay Campground zoning text amendment to the Leelanau County Planning Commission for review, then to the Township Board (per the September 12, 2024 unanimous recommendation).
- Continue the Master Plan Workshop process, of which the Farm Stay Campground concept and campground survey results are part.