The Leelanau Township Board did not approve a recommendation from the Planning Commission to increase its size from seven to nine members.

At its meeting Tuesday, the board defeated a motion by trustee Victor Goldschmicht, 4-1, to increase the Planning Commission size to nine. Supervisor James Neve, clerk Deb Van Pelt, treasurer Denise Dunn and trustee Gary Fredrickson were opposed.

Neve said in a phone report yesterday the board had a vigorous discussion on the matter. At its June 12 meeting, the board approved a recommendation from Neve to appoint a new member to the commission, Steve Kalchik, over incumbent member Marsha Buehler. Neve said at the meeting it was a difficult decision since Buehler had been a solid commission member, but he felt the body needed a representative from the township’s agricultural community. Kalchik filled that bill.

The Planning Commission responded by recommending increasing its size to nine members in part as a way to get more township residents involved.

Neve said he thinks the planning commission functions very well at its current size. “I am worried about breaking up the continuity by adding two members,” he said.

As to having Buehler participating with the planning commission, Neve said the commission uses subcommittees that include non-members when putting together a recommendation for new Zoning Ordinance. He said Buehler could be part of the process in that capacity.

In other business, the board accepted five people as full-time fire and rescue department personnel: Adam Brown, Bradon Laughman, Mike Perrault, Kenneth Dan Wit, and Joel Young. All completed probationary periods and passed all required testing and classes.