The document summarizes public comments about a proposed communications tower in Leelanau Township. Key concerns include improving poor cell service for safety and quality of life, while some residents worry about the tower’s visual impact. Most comments support the tower, emphasizing its necessity for emergency services and modern communication despite aesthetic concerns.
Event Date: 2025-01-30 Summarized with ai model: Disclaimer: AI-generated summaries may contain errors. Please review the source document for accuracy. Internal document reference #:1952
Numerous comments from residents and community stakeholders express strong support for the proposed cell tower. Proponents emphasize the critical need for improved cell phone service, particularly in areas with “dead zones.” The Leelanau Township Fire Department supports the tower, citing enhanced public safety and improved connectivity as key benefits for residents and visitors.
A three-hour public hearing was held to address a communications tower permit request. Public comments largely supported the tower, emphasizing improved wireless access. Concerns were raised about zoning ordinances, NIMBYism, and stormwater runoff. Supporting documents highlighted recent developments, costs associated with landlines, and compliance with zoning regulations, underscoring the urgent need for reliable cell service.
The Leelanau Township Planning Commission received a letter from Daniel B. Stowe expressing strong opposition to a proposed communication tower at 11015 N. Kitchen Road. Stowe, a local farmer, raised concerns about the project’s impact on natural beauty, historical significance, and environmental integrity, questioning the necessity of the tower and suggesting alternative solutions.
The applicant provided a map of communication towers in Leelanau Township, which was incomplete. A revised map is needed. Additionally, the plans still show barbed wire fencing, which is not allowed. Revised plans should also reflect this. The use of existing tower designs and service access during winter are also mentioned in the application review.
Section A highlights the general compliance of plans with stormwater ordinances and special land use permit standards, along with driveway access details. Section B presents documentation of ownership and agency reviews affirming permit eligibility. Section C outlines key environmental assessments ensuring minimal impact, bolstering the application’s viability for the proposed project.
The Leelanau Township Planning Commission has announced a Special Meeting on January 30, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. to discuss a Special Land Use Permit application for a 200-foot wireless communications tower. Public comments will be accepted in-person or via Zoom, with details accessible on the township website.
The Leelanau Township Planning Commission will hold a special meeting on Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 6:30 P.M. at the Leelanau Township Fire Department Meeting Room in Northport, Michigan. The agenda includes approval of the special land use permit for the Kitchen Road Communications Tower and public comment, among other items for discussion.
Steve Lewis, a long-time resident of Empire, expresses concerns about a proposed boardwalk in the village’s Recreation Plan. As a board member of the SBLA, he emphasizes community engagement and ecological integrity. The boardwalk’s location over sensitive wetlands raises alarm, as Lewis advocates for protecting natural resources and promoting sustainable stewardship through education and community dialogue.
