The Leelanau Township Planning Commission is asking the Township Board to expand its size from seven members to nine.

At its meeting June 14, the commission unanimously sought to expand the commission to nine members to provide greater representation from all segments of the community. The commission also recommended that recently replaced member Marsha Buehler be reappointed to one of the two new positions. The commission has asked the Township Board to consider the recommendations at its July 10 meeting.

At its June 12 meeting, the Township Board unanimously reappointed member Kalin Johnson to a three-year term that expires on June 30, 2010. The board also unanimously approved the nomination of township resident Steve Kalchik to serve a three-year term, in place of Buehler.

Buehler appeared before the board at its regular meeting in May to say she wanted to continue serving on the planning commission, and had submitted an application to supervisor James Neve.

Neve said he nominated Kalchik over Buehler because he was concerned about a lack of representation on the planning commission from the agricultural community.

Kalchik is a third generation farmer working on a family farm. Neve said he agonized over the decision as he valued both Buehler’s and Johnson’s work with the planning commission.

Commission chair Thomas Nelson summarized the commission’s recommendation and supporting arguments for increasing the number of commissioners in a letter dated June 18. Nelson said that as of Tuesday, he has not formally heard from the township board or Neve about having the issue placed on the agenda for the July 10 meeting. Nelson said trustee Victor Goldschmidt told him he supports the idea.

“It’s a great idea. It really would be a win-win for everyone,” he said.

Having a nine-member board would allow for more representation from the agricultural and business communities. “This is a concern we have heard about before from board members,” Nelson said.

The commission had nine members in the past, but the board reduced the amount to seven in 2002 due to problems with having a quorum present at regularly scheduled meetings. In the June 18 letter, Nelson said he did not anticipate problems having a quorum present for a nine-member board.

“The Planning Commission has had nine members in the past and, to my recollection, we have not had less than five commissioners at a meeting (the number needed for a quorum of nine),” he wrote.

Nelson added that commission members are concerned about the impact of not reappointing Buehler could have on future appointments.

“Further, Commissioner Buehler’s non-reappointment sends a contrary message to citizens who might consider serving the community. It seems to say that working hard and being fully dedicated to the democratic process on a commission, committee or board can be disregarded despite having privately and publicly expressed to you and the board a strong desire to continue to serve,” Nelson wrote.