Summary
The Solon Township Board met on May 8, 2025, with all five board members present. The board approved the agenda and April minutes, heard the Treasurer's report, and received an insurance overview from Paul Olson of Municipal Underwriters of Michigan. Committee reports covered the Planning Commission, Parks and Recreation Committee, and ongoing unfinished business including township hall repairs, park projects, fire department matters, a proposed sewer system, and draft ordinances for short term rentals and food trucks. Extensive public comment was heard on the Short Term Rental and Food Truck Ordinances. A motion was approved allowing the Brzezinski family to donate a memorial bench at Solon Beach Park.
Public Comments
- Lisa Rossi-Brett (early in meeting) reported the shattered bench in front of Bunting's Cedar Market cannot be repaired and might be replaced by a Cedar Chamber of Commerce sponsor, but not until fall.
- Dan Lynch identified himself as the person accused of planning a helicopter pad, clarified he is not from California, has been coming to the area for years, purchased 40 acres on Kasson Road, and plans to build three homes to live in and be part of the community, not to commercialize the property. He suggested Team Elmer's may have posted about the helicopter pad rumor.
- Lisa Rossi-Brett (second comment) noted other townships' Short Term Rental Ordinances require a contact person to respond within 30 minutes, and cited Cleveland Township's requirement that short term rental owners notify neighbors with contact information. She also asked whether businesses could have food trucks on their own property, noting the previous zoning administrator said they could, and expressed support for food trucks near the recycling site as long as business owners are not excluded.
- Katy Bertodatto, who works with short term rentals across Michigan for about a decade, stated she has not seen short term rentals regulated as a Police Power Ordinance elsewhere and offered to assist the board.
- Rachel Zemanek, owner of the Folded Leaf Book Store in Cedar, said live music events at her business draw good turnout and that more food options are needed in Cedar; she felt not allowing food trucks hurts local growth.
- Renee Spalding, co-owner of Lemcool Heating and Cooling and owner of a large vacant lot in Cedar, said without a septic tank they cannot develop the lot but would like to place one or two food trucks there with live music, and eventually serve beer and wine. She asked that local businesses be included in food truck plans and opposed a Police Power Ordinance for short term rentals, stating the Zoning Administrator should not be responsible for handling complaint calls at all hours. She requested draft ordinances be made available for public comment.
- Jamie Jewell, representing a client with a short term rental, expressed concern about the delay in finalizing the ordinance.
- Chris Comeaux responded that the board would take its time on the ordinance, even if it takes a year, and would continue to allow existing short term rentals in the meantime.
- Blake Vidor supported a less restrictive ordinance, noted enforcement of neighbor behavior is difficult, and hoped for busy downtown Cedar businesses. He also requested the draft ordinance be made public for comment.
- Kimberly Robinson asked why food trucks couldn't continue operating as-is if short term rentals are allowed to continue pending an ordinance.
- Steve Yoder said he receives as many calls about short term rentals as about the Master Plan, felt owners feel villainized, and recommended regulating food truck music by decibel level rather than banning live music.
- Chris Comeaux stated food trucks operating on a business property is not an issue, and the public will be able to review the ordinance once a good draft is prepared.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Kelly Claar reported the Parks and Recreation Committee met April 25, 2025. The committee reviewed the Draft Food Truck Ordinance and its interaction with parks, and researched park use for special events, ball leagues, and fee schedules. A special meeting was scheduled for May 13, 2025 at 6:00 P.M. to discuss fees; Clerk Shirley Mikowski recommended not labeling it a special meeting since only one topic could then be discussed.
Kelly Claar reported that establishing a Parks Commission requires a written petition signed by at least 8% of registered township voters, after which the board must place the question before voters at the next regular election. She will contact the MTA attorney for further guidance.
Certified mulch is needed for the public playground; Kelly will send ordering information to Shirley Mikowski.
Vlack's Park: Kelly Claar and Joe from Deering's Tree Service walked the park and planned a substantial cutting of red pines, with replanting of some white pines and other trees. Some healthy trees will be left standing, and some stumps will be left near the entrance to create a natural fence. Work is planned for September, and a park closure notice may be published. The price may decrease since more than 90 days have passed. No soil erosion permit is required. Chris Comeaux asked whether to delay the work until next year; the consensus was not to wait, as conditions would worsen. Chris expressed concern about the stump "natural fence" appearance, and Kelly will provide photos.
Beach Park Fence: Dale Gauthier met with Straight Line Fence, which will provide a price for installing a fence at Beach Park.
Beach Park Memorial Bench: Kelly Claar reported a request from the Brzezinski family to donate a memorial bench at Solon Beach Park in memory of their mother, Gerri Brzezinski. The family will complete a contact form and be responsible for maintenance; the bench has a 25-year lifespan. Joan Gauthier suggested seeking donated benches and picnic tables for Cedar with donor plaques, and Kelly said the Parks Committee will compile a needs list. Motion by Kelly Claar, seconded by Joan Gauthier, to approve the Brzezinski family's bench donation at Solon Township Beach Park, with the family responsible for maintenance. Motion carried 5-0.
The next Parks and Recreation Committee meeting is scheduled for May 13, 2025 at 6:00 P.M. at the Solon Township Hall.
Infrastructure Projects
Sewer System: Steve Yoder has been working to obtain a sewer system proposal from SludgeHammer, which brought in Performance Engineering, a Charlevoix consulting firm. The firm's biggest concern is funding; Steve asked to be informed immediately if the price tag is high. Steve provided the consulting firm with the prior sewer study by Fleis & Vandenbrink and is awaiting their cost and proposal.
Cell Tower: The Planning Commission (meeting May 6, 2025) received an application from Harmoni Towers for placement of a Verizon cell tower on Gallivan Road, which was approved to proceed to a Public Hearing scheduled for June 3, 2025.
Bunting's/Road: Chris Comeaux spoke with Greg Bunting and is awaiting a response from Brendan Mullane of the Leelanau County Road Commission regarding support for the proposal. The Road Commission is coordinating with the county to potentially contribute labor and material instead of cash, which could reduce costs by about one-third.
Marina: The Treasurer's report listed a Cedar River Marina Project fund balance ($10,070.39) and associated CD ($15,422.65), totaling $25,493.04; no additional discussion of the marina project was recorded.
Alley/Road Ownership: Steve Morgan reported receiving information from Brendan Mullane that the county took over an alley in 1938, though it was never certified. The township attorney's response confirmed the alley belongs to the county and the township has no authority over it.
Other Business
Insurance: Paul Olson, the township's insurance representative from Municipal Underwriters of Michigan (40 years insuring the township), explained recent cost increases due to catastrophic weather and expects costs to level off in early 2026. He gave a coverage overview and recommended the township look into available grants from Municipal Underwriters of Michigan.
Correspondence: Joan Gauthier received a $200.00 donation from Robert Piche to repair the stop sign at the ball field/little park exit; deposited into the Parks Fund.
Planning Commission (April 15, 2025): Held a Public Hearing on the Draft Master Plan; the vast majority of public comment opposed proposed changes to the Future Land Use Maps. Further discussion was tabled.
Planning Commission (May 6, 2025): Received a rezoning application from Zelinski for property on Allgaier Road (Agricultural Conservation to Business 2), approved for a Public Hearing on June 3, 2025. Due to strong resident opposition to high density, the Commission decided to eliminate PUDs from the Future Land Use Maps and Zoning Ordinance. Changes to the Landscape Ordinance by Zoning Administrator Christina Deeren were discussed. Joan Gauthier noted the township needs a microphone system for public hearings; Chris Comeaux will look into it.
Township Hall/Repairs: Shirley Mikowski is working with Colby Thoreson (LRM) and obtaining a permit from the Leelanau Conservation District for wall repair. Chris Comeaux met with Corey Flaska of Leelanau Construction regarding the township office project down payment; Flaska is open to applying the deposit to a different project if the township does not move forward.