Summary
The Suttons Bay Township Board met June 10, 2026, with Supervisor Doug Periard presiding. The board heard extensive public comment on road safety concerns, approved consensus items for parks improvements, accepted May minutes and bills totaling $44,289.53, discussed a county road presentation on Lovers Lane and Center Highway, advanced a grant request for a tennis equipment shed, and rescheduled the July board meeting to July 15, 2026 due to the Cherry Festival.
Public Comments
Kate Fareman (Elm & Herman Rd) raised concerns about the Herman Road/Elm Street bridge, where the speed limit drops from 55 mph to 25 mph in a very short distance; she requested a study and a longer transition zone, citing her daughter Lucy's use of the bridge as a pedestrian/cyclist and increased traffic from a new subdivision and recycling on Eckerle Rd. Martha Ramsdell brought physical samples of deteriorated Lovers Lane asphalt for the Road Commission manager. Suzanne Hoffman (Lovers Lane) asked the Road Commission and Township Board to personally drive Lovers Lane to witness road chunks flying onto lawns. Bridget (Lovers Lane) discussed self-financing as a possible resolution and raised objective versus subjective criteria used in Leelanau County road repairs. Dave (Lovers Lane) noted adjoining roads (Stony Point, Nanagosa Trail) are being maintained and asked that Lovers Lane be prioritized. Michael Jarvis (Elm St) asked for better slowing before the bridge, noting the lack of a shoulder prevents him from walking his dog to Herman Park. Bill Queen suggested starting a transition zone farther south on Center Hwy, stepping speeds from 55 to 35 to 25 mph before Eckerle Road. Pete O., a cyclist, noted adequate shoulders exist farther down Center Hwy but not closer to the Village. No board responses or decisions were recorded on these items beyond the Road Commission presentation that followed.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Per the written report from Jared Pontius, a new disc golf course layout was presented; the board gave consensus approval to demo, repair, and install the new course. The board also approved securing a larger dumpster for Herman Park at an additional $20 per month, and approved purchasing a fertilizer spreader using restricted funds. A Pickleball Tournament planned during Cherry Festival was postponed after an email submission indicated a plan could not be finalized within 3-4 weeks.
Infrastructure Projects
County Road Commission representative Brendan Mullane presented PASSAR road ratings (a 4-5 part ranking system). A previous quote to repair Lovers Lane was $130,000, with a Special Assessment District (SAD) discussed as a funding mechanism. The state default speed limit of 55 mph drops to 25 mph on Center Hwy within less than 1/10 mile. Mullane will submit a formal written request to the state for a Transition Zone. The Herman Road/Center Hwy bridge was noted as the Village's responsibility, not the Township's.
Other Business
Planning & Zoning (reported by Eric Carlson in Patmore's absence) noted a site plan review at 980 S Herman Rd for Peninsula Housing and review of the Homestretch Project at 972 S Herman Rd for 8 duplex units; no board action recorded. An ITSA Grant request for a tennis equipment storage shed (presented by Kirsten) was discussed, to be placed between courts 2 and 3; the board gave consensus to proceed with a grant request involving a match from the Leelanau County Tennis Association.
Financial Summary
Bills totaling $44,289.53 were approved. The fertilizer spreader purchase will use restricted funds. The Herman Park dumpster upgrade adds $20/month. The tennis shed project anticipates a 5% grant match from the Leelanau County Tennis Association, with an additional $4,300 needed for a gravel or concrete foundation. Lovers Lane repair was previously quoted at $130,000, with a Special Assessment District discussed as a possible funding source.
Action Items
- Brendan Mullane (Road Commission) to submit a formal written request to the state for a Transition Zone on Center Hwy/Herman Road.
- Board to proceed with a grant application for the tennis shed, pending a county permit if the structure exceeds 200 sq ft.
- Next SB Township Board meeting moved to Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at 6:00 pm due to the Cherry Festival.
- No formal board action was taken yet on Lovers Lane repairs, the Herman Road bridge transition zone, or the Peninsula Housing/Homestretch Project site plans at 980 and 972 S Herman Rd, despite repeated public requests for action on road safety near housing developments.