Summary
This document consists of written public comments submitted to the Leelanau Township Planning and Zoning Office ahead of the January 23, 2025 public hearing on a proposed Communications Tower Special Use Permit. All submitted letters express support for approval of the tower, with most advocating for the Kitchen Road site. No board decisions, votes, or deliberations are recorded in this correspondence; it reflects public input only.
Public Comments
Numerous residents submitted letters strongly supporting approval of the cell tower, citing poor or nonexistent cell service, safety and 911 access concerns, and inadequate internet/landline alternatives:
- Thomas Lamont (12875 Island View) said he pays $82/month for an AT&T landline due to no lake cell service and urged approval for emergency access, asking the Commission not to let "friendships overcome civic duties."
- Brice Weeks (12131 E. Kinnikinick Rd.) noted his street lacks fiber optic access and that poor cell service has discouraged family members from working remotely from his home.
- Richard K. Foster argued the Kitchen Road tower is the most cost-effective solution and compared it to other "unattractive but functional" infrastructure like water towers and power lines, arguing safety outweighs aesthetic objections from a few residents.
- J. Ben Clayton (Cathead Bay) supported the tower for safety and suggested the Scott Road location to serve areas north of the village and Leelanau State Park.
- Mark and Maggie Harder (12041 N. Foxview) forwarded an essay by neighbor Doug Whitley and urged selection of the Kitchen Road site, citing 911 access and the decline of landlines.
- Matt and Joel Galloway, and separately John Galloway (13777 N. Lighthouse Point Rd.), voiced support, with John Galloway commending the Township and Whitley for their evaluation process.
- Anne Anderson (12390 N Shores Ct.) forwarded Whitley's essay and urged approval of the Kitchen Road tower.
- Dan and Nancy Ray (Lighthouse Point Rd.) described unreliable texting and no internet access, and asked that their letter be read into the meeting minutes, framing tower opposition as based on aesthetic concerns from those who already have service.
- Jeff McGalliard (12155 N. Foxview Dr.) urged quick approval, noting no company is willing to install new landlines and that recent county internet upgrades do not resolve outages.
No opposing letters are included in this document; all correspondence favors tower approval.
Infrastructure Projects
All comments concern a proposed communications/cell tower for Leelanau Township, intended to address widespread dead zones, unreliable texting, lack of landline options, and limited internet access. Two potential sites are referenced: Kitchen Road (favored by several commenters including the Harders and Anne Anderson) and Scott Road (suggested by Ben Clayton to serve areas north of the village and Leelanau State Park). No final site decision, vote, or Commission action is documented in this correspondence.
Action Items
- Dan and Nancy Ray requested their letter be entered into the minutes of the January 23, 2025 meeting.
- No other deadlines, assignments, or follow-up actions are specified in the document beyond the pending Planning Commission decision on the Special Use Permit for the tower.