Summary
The Leelanau Township Board meeting focused on community concerns regarding the Buster Dame Park property and the ongoing partnership with the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Key discussions included a push to finalize the removal of current deed restrictions on the Buster Dame property to facilitate better local control over land use decisions. The statements from community members emphasized the importance of local governance and the need to advance housing initiatives.Public Comments
Two notable public comments were made by Mike McMillan and Ann Marie Mitchell regarding the Buster Dame property:-
Mike McMillan urged the Board to proceed with the DNR process to remove the encumbrance on the Buster Dame property, expressing concern about stopping the process at the behest of a small group. He argued that having control over the property would signal the Board's commitment to advancing housing options in the community.
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Ann Marie Mitchell supported transferring the existing restriction from Buster Dame to the 7th Street property, emphasizing the need for local control over public land to better serve community needs. She stated that allowing local representatives to make decisions reflects trust in their governance.