Summary
The Leelanau Township Board received its August 2025 Zoning Report ahead of the September 9, 2025 meeting. The report detailed permit activity, land division reviews, short-term rental totals, and several ongoing zoning investigations. No votes were recorded in this report beyond a previously approved resolution.
Other Business
The report noted that the Township Board approved a Local Government Resolution for an MLCC Winery Permit. Other ongoing zoning office work included a preliminary site plan review for an Open Space Project on Ononomese Trail, continued Master Plan research, and a Zoning Board of Appeals application for a dimensional variance, with a meeting being scheduled to hear it.
Permit statistics for August 2025 showed 4 total land use permits issued (1 addition, with no new homes, guest houses, accessory structures, signs, or commercial permits). Year-to-date totals stand at 31 permits (9 new homes, 7 additions, 12 accessory structures, 3 commercial), compared to 45 year-to-date permits in 2024 and 39 in 2023. Short-term rental permits for 2025 total 24.
Several parcel transfer/lot split applications remain under review with the Assessor, along with one land division application.
Action Items
- Zoning staff to continue researching Land Use Permit 25-022 (13250 N. Forest Beach Shores Addition), where proposed plans reportedly conflict with the original open space preservation easement and bluff setback requirements; this matter has required considerable additional research effort.
- Zoning Board of Appeals to schedule and hold a meeting on the pending dimensional variance application.
- Continued investigation and correspondence regarding camper use on Omena Point Road.
- Continued investigation and correspondence regarding potential blighted buildings in the township.
- Continued investigation into a fence/tree planting dispute.
- Ongoing review of multiple parcel transfer/lot split applications with the Assessor, and one pending land division application.