Summary
The Solon Township Board held its regular meeting on January 9, 2025, with all five board members present. Key actions included adopting a resolution to release the Master Plan for a 63-day public review period ahead of an April 10, 2025 public hearing, approving several property lease agreements for the Cedar Polka Fest and a memorial tournament, amending the 2024-2025 budget to cover overages in Miscellaneous, Zoning Administrator, and Insurance line items, and adopting a resolution for the collection of Glen Lake Community Schools summer taxes. The board also made appointments to the Board of Review and Zoning Board of Appeals, and discussed ongoing issues including township hall repairs, park ordinances, short term rental ordinances, and road/infrastructure concerns.
Public Comments
Corey Flaska welcomed new board members and expressed disappointment that the Master Plan had not yet been sent to local municipalities for review as previously approved, noting the process had taken 3-4 years. He encouraged the board to approve the resolution authorizing release of the Master Plan that evening.
Jon Zelinski spoke about his property on Allgaier Road, which had been zoned Business-2 on the Future Land Use maps until the Planning Commission changed it after the township board did not adopt the proposed Landscape Ordinance. He requested the property be restored to Business-2 designation, stating it meets commercial criteria and that businesses are interested in locating there. He reiterated this concern later in the meeting during the second public comment period, noting the property had been so designated for the past two years and that this aligns with proposals from Christina Deeren/ZA.
In the second public comment period, Ted Klumpp asked why parking is not allowed in the alley; Steve Morgan responded that the alley belongs to the county, other vehicles cannot drive through, and the fire department also cannot get through.
Christina Deeren/ZA expressed pleasure at having Edie Glynn as a new Planning Commission member and suggested an alternate member be appointed in case of absences.
Steve Tostige asked about the timeline for the Short Term Rental Ordinance; Chris Comeaux responded that the process is just beginning.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Mary Taylor reported the Parks and Recreation Committee met December 17, 2024, and would next meet January 28, 2025. The committee reviewed the 2008 Parks Ordinance and plans to provide input to the Planning Commission. Mary has been working to close out a $9,350.00 Rotary Grant and requested that future project-related information be organized in one place for easier tracking. She noted the township might owe $1,293.00 back to the Rotary, but there was a pending invoice with Fleis & Vandenbrink; Shirley Mikowski will investigate whether the township owes this in addition to $3,600.00 already banked. The board moved (Mikowski/Gauthier) to approve paying either Fleis & Vandenbrink $1,340.00 or Rotary Charities $1,293.00 to close out the grant; motion carried 5-0. Grace Yoder resigned from the Parks Committee via email, and the committee is in need of a secretary.
Regarding the Beach Park fence, Shirley Mikowski noted a prior quote was high due to stumps in the way; since removed, she will follow up with Apple Fence in spring for a new cost estimate.
On Vlack's Park, Kelly Claar shared her vision for a Forester Management Plan and is contacting Deering's Tree Service to see if they will expand their proposal beyond clear-cutting to include area management. She is also awaiting proposals from other providers, including a contact through NRCS. Estimated cost for the plan is approximately $2,000.00. Shirley Mikowski found that Vlack's Park was previously timber harvested around October 2011 by Richard Cooper, netting the township $11,437.69. Kelly plans to bring three proposals back to the board.
The Planning Commission discussed the Parks Ordinance and agreed it should be a Police Power Ordinance, allowing police enforcement. Christina Deeren/ZA is reviewing the 2008 ordinance and working with Mary Taylor to update it; Kelly Claar asked to participate as well. Once updated, the township attorney will review it.
The board approved (Morgan/Claar, 5-0) two Property Lease Agreements with the Cedar Chamber of Commerce for the Cedar Polka Fest: use of Railroad Avenue and parking near the Fire Station (August 23-24, 2025) and use of Ballfields 1, 2, and 3 for emergency landings/vehicles only (August 21-24, 2025), each for a fee of $1.00.
Rich Nachazel requested to lease ballfields for the Brian Nachazel Memorial Tournament on February 22, 2025. Kelly Claar raised concerns about only charging $1.00 for the lease, noting the board had agreed in December to establish a Parks Ordinance and lease fees before changing amounts. Motion by Mikowski/Gauthier to approve the lease for $1.00; Claar opposed; motion carried 4-1.
Infrastructure Projects
Cedar River Project: Chris Comeaux reported the project is on hold for winter, but Ray Pleva continues working in the background and is looking into grants. No report was given on buoys. Regarding the navigable Cedar River, Joan Gauthier said Larry Fleis was contacting Andrew from Michigan State University, an earth and environmental scientist.
Bunting's/Road: Chris Comeaux spoke with Brendan Mullane about the road behind Bunting's, which needs to be completely ripped out and cannot be chipped, making it an expensive repair. Joan Gauthier asked why the county doesn't handle it the same way they do for the Leelanau County Road Commission. Chris noted that even if the road isn't fixed, Bunting's would keep the recycling site. Chris plans to contact the Solid Waste Council about contributing to road repair costs. Mr. Mullane indicated Solon Township's roads are considered the worst in the county and may be invited to a future meeting to give a full assessment.
Sewer System Proposals: Steve Yoder followed up again but believes the vendor may be losing interest in providing a sewer system proposal; he hopes to hear back within a couple of weeks.
Alley: Steve Morgan spoke with a Leelanau County Sheriff's Department officer and the Road Commission superintendent, who confirmed the alley belongs to the county; signage will be posted once weather allows, and the sheriff's department will enforce it. Joan Gauthier noted the sign at the Kasson Street entry is faded and needs replacement. This item was noted as able to be removed from future agendas.
Other Business
Township Hall/Repairs: The wall repair project is awaiting start by LRM. For the township office project, Steve Yoder met with Corey Flaska (Leelanau Construction) and an architect; an architectural design is required for the permit since the building is township-owned and considered commercial. They discovered there is no drywall on the walls, only paneling; switching to drywall could increase project costs by up to $10,000.00. The board agreed to proceed with removing the paneling and doing the project properly. Joan Gauthier plans to walk through the space with Mr. Flaska to specify her preferences. The board agreed to give Mr. Flaska and his architect building access codes, which will be changed after completion.
Fire Department: Chris Comeaux reported the department remains on budget and thanked the township for its support. The union contract was ratified with staff in late December for another three years. The four township supervisors did not meet as scheduled regarding the Interlocal Agreement due to Open Meetings Act concerns; a future meeting will be posted publicly when scheduled.
Cemetery: On hold until spring.
Landscape Ordinance: Christina Deeren/ZA reported the ordinance has been shortened and believes it is close to ready, but additional verbiage is needed since commercial development impacts residential home sales. She wants the Planning Commission to work on adding buffers to the ordinance.
Planning Commission Officer Elections: Held January 7, 2025 - Steve Yoder elected Chairman, Samantha VanderVlucht Vice-Chairman, and Meg Paxton as ZBA Representative. The commission also discussed the Accessory Dwelling Units ordinance, which is near completion but on hold until the Short Term Rental Ordinance is finalized.
Short Term Rentals: The Planning Commission agreed this should be a Police Power Ordinance, to be handled by Christina Deeren/ZA. Christina plans to have a draft ready for the February meeting, have the township attorney review it, and hopes for adoption by June. The ordinance will require property owners to obtain a permit for short term rentals. A public hearing must be held before adoption; Kelly Claar confirmed public comment will be part of this process.
Appointments: The board approved (Comeaux/Gauthier, 5-0) appointing Donald Parker, Al Rosinski, and Brent Parker to the Board of Review, with Laura Tarsa as alternate, for a two-year term ending 12/31/2026. The board also approved (Comeaux/Gauthier, 5-0) appointing Kelly Claar to the Zoning Board of Appeals as board representative for a term ending 11/20/2028. It was noted the supervisor and Board of Review members are required by law to attend training every two years.
Master Plan/Resolution: Christina Deeren/ZA provided the resolution required to release the Master Plan for public review, available on the township website. Joan Gauthier clarified that the board had previously approved sending the Master Plan to neighboring townships in October, and everyone believed it had already been sent; she confirmed the 63-day review period begins from this meeting, with a Public Hearing to follow before adoption.