Summary
The Solon Township Board met on January 8, 2026 with all five members present. The Board approved the agenda and December minutes, accepted the Treasurer's report and vouchers, and approved a Property Use Agreement for the Brian Nachazel Memorial Tournament ballfield use. The meeting's most significant discussion centered on the draft Master Plan and Future Land Use Maps, which drew extensive public comment both in favor and opposed. The Board also approved the Northwest Education Services tax collection agreement and heard committee reports from the Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Committee.
Public Comments
Public comment was heard twice (items 6 and 12), largely focused on the Master Plan and Future Land Use Maps:
- Tom Jessmore asked about the timeframe for board action on the Master Plan.
- Corey Flaska strongly opposed the proposed Master Plan, stating it is biased, blocks growth, and has prevented him from developing property for seven years. He cited that only about 250 of 17,140 township acres are allocated for growth (about 2%, or roughly 5-10 houses per year over 20 years), that no new R-1, R-2, B-1, or PUD zoning is designated, and that a five-acre minimum lot size limits new construction to $1-2 million homes, unaffordable to the roughly 55% of residents earning $50,000-$149,000. He argued cluster housing would better preserve farmland and criticized the process for only hearing from a vocal 5% of residents. In the second comment period he reiterated that PUD applications are effectively impossible under the current plan and asked the board to restore an avenue for landowners with ten or more acres to apply for higher-density PUDs.
- Melinda Lautner said most residents want agriculture-based businesses (e.g., a nursery, a cidery) rather than storage buildings, and supports passing the Future Land Use maps as presented. In the second comment period she said splitting off one-acre lots would not save farms and could harm farmland, and reiterated support for approving the maps as written.
- David McCoy noted a five-acre lot could cost up to $200,000, with an additional $100,000 for electric, sewer, and well, making land prohibitively expensive for people like himself; he said he would be happy with a quarter acre or less. He also asked in the second comment period whether the "no loitering" provision in the Parks Ordinance could be removed, since he felt loitering is the purpose of parks.
- Rebecca Goff clarified that the Brian Nachazel Memorial Tournament does not sell alcohol, that signage is posted throughout the fire department property, that the event works with Sheriff Mike Borkovich and Michigan State Police, and that the event has raised $212,000 for the community over the years with no one being paid.
- Steve Yoder thanked the board for contracting with Beckett & Raeder as the new Zoning Administrator.
- Renee Lemcool defended Lisa Rossi's role with the Polka Fest and said Rossi is transitioning out of that role. She also expressed sympathy for farmers' financial hardships and suggested farmers should be allowed to split and sell an acre or half-acre if needed, while cautioning against high-rises or apartments.
- An unnamed audience member said the township website is difficult to navigate and asked that it be made easier to use.
- Tim Johnson said the Master Plan and Future Land Use maps were well thought out with substantial public input, and warned that opening development could cause land prices to skyrocket and invite out-of-state developers.
- Charles Smith said there is a path to improve projects (e.g., higher density) but favored evaluating proposals one at a time rather than opening broad development.
No written correspondence was reported (item 7: "There was none").
Affordable Housing Initiatives
While no formal affordable housing program was on the agenda, extensive public comment addressed housing affordability in the context of the Master Plan and Future Land Use Maps. Corey Flaska argued the five-acre minimum lot size restricts development to $1-2 million homes, unaffordable to most residents, and advocated for cluster housing to allow more affordable development while preserving farmland. David McCoy stated that land and infrastructure costs (roughly $300,000 before construction) make homeownership unattainable for people in nonprofit or lower-wage jobs, and said he would prefer a quarter-acre lot or smaller. Melinda Lautner countered that smaller homes could still be built on five-acre lots without necessarily being million-dollar properties. No board decision or vote was taken on affordable housing at this meeting; the matter remains tied to the pending Master Plan review.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Kelly Claar reported the Parks and Recreation Committee met December 30, 2025 (one new member absent):
- Kim Smith is revising the Parks Ordinance as previously discussed; Chris Comeaux clarified it is a Police Power Ordinance that will return to the township board for review before going to the township attorney.
- The committee set a meeting schedule for the last Tuesday of each month, except January.
- A goal was identified to fund supplies for volunteers working on the Solon Schoolhouse; Joan Gauthier noted historic restoration architect Thom Greene is willing to help find funding for the project.
- Permits and fees were discussed as an anticipated issue.
- The next Parks and Recreation Committee meeting was rescheduled to Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 6:30 P.M.
Under Unfinished Business:
- Vlack's Park: Deering Tree Service will return in spring for cleanup. The Forester Management Plan item was removed from the agenda.
- Beach Park: Kelly Claar reported an EGLE violation involving the neighboring property owner and said she will need to contact Robynn Schmidt again.
Under New Business, the Board approved (motion by Shirley Mikowski, seconded by Joan Gauthier, carried 5-0) a Property Use Agreement with Rich Nachazel for use of the township ballfields on February 21, 2026 for the Brian Nachazel Memorial Tournament, for a fee of $1.00. Concerns about alcohol sales at past events were raised by Kelly Claar; Shirley Mikowski confirmed with Nachazel that the event is donations-only and coordinates with Sheriff Borkovich, and Chris Comeaux stated no alcohol is allowed on fire department property.
Infrastructure Projects
No specific marina, water, sewer, or cell tower project discussions occurred at this meeting. The Cedar River Marina Project fund and Parks and Recreation Fund balances were reported only as part of the Treasurer's financial report (see Financial Summary).
Other Business
- Township Hall/Repairs: To be discussed at budget time; Joan Gauthier noted the exterior needs work. Corey Flaska said he will return the township's deposit for office construction, minus the cost of the plan drawn up.
- Fire Department: Chris Comeaux reported the board previously asked the Fire Chief and administrative assistant to reset the budget due to rising costs from the bargaining agreement and inflation; a 2027 budget reset year will add an additional 4% (14% increase that year) before returning to a 10%/5% increase pattern. Cunningham-Limp will assess the Cedar Area Fire & Rescue facility the following week. 2025 was the busiest year on record with 763 calls, possibly the busiest in the county. Ambulance runs brought in almost $155,000 this year. Tim Stein suggested renovation costs be shared, and any additional station be a small satellite station. Joan Gauthier raised concerns about rising computer/cellular/software costs; Chris Comeaux attributed much of this to required software.
- Short Term Rentals/Planning Commission: The Planning Commission has shortened and made the Short Term Rental Ordinance less restrictive and forwarded it to the new Zoning Administrators for input.
- Food Truck Ordinance: Currently under review by the Leelanau County Planning Commission.
- Cedar Chamber of Commerce: Renee Lemcool reported the use agreement was sent to Chamber members for review; Shirley Mikowski clarified a separate lease agreement will still be needed. The Chamber agreed to keep snowflake lights on and turn off tree lights, and discussed scaling back Polka Fest hours. Joan Gauthier expressed displeasure over a Leelanau Ticker interview with Lisa Rossi regarding the board; Chris Comeaux said further mischaracterization could end communication with that outlet.
- MTA/Board Policies and Cemetery: Remain tabled.
- Northwest Education Service Agreement: The Board approved (motion by Joan Gauthier, seconded by Chris Comeaux; voice vote 5-0, all yea) the agreement with Northwest Education Services for Solon Township to collect 100% of the school district's summer property tax levy for 2026.
- Landscape Ordinance: Joan Gauthier asked whether grammatical corrections she forwarded to Christina Deeren had been made.