The lack of a quorum prevented the Leelanau County Planning Commission from taking any formal action at its regular monthly meeting last week.

Nonetheless, commission members did review draft zoning ordinance text amendments from Elmwood, Glen Arbor and Leelanau townships during the meeting, according to Trudy Galla, head of the county’s Planning and Community Development department.

Galla said county planners considered a zoning ordinance amendment describing “essential services” in Elmwood Township. She noted that controversy surrounding the proposed construction of an electrical power substation in Elmwood Township relates to “essential services” in the township. But, Galla added, the zoning ordinance amendment under consideration by Elmwood and county planners will only affect future projects in the township – not any plans currently being considered there.

After reviewing county staff recommendations and the draft amendment, county planners agreed to return the draft amendment to Elmwood Township along with the county staff’s detailed recommendations, Galla reported. The draft amendment describing "essential services" will likely be on the agenda for consideration by the Elmwood Township Board at its March 11 meeting.

County planners also reviewed a set of “housekeeping” zoning ordinance amendments from Glen Arbor Township, plus an amendment outlining “open space/clustering” requirements in Leelanau Township that had been considered once before more than a year ago. County planners in attendance at Feb. 26 meeting agreed that the proposed Glen Arbor and Leelanau township zoning ordinance amendments were consistent with each townships’ Master Plan and decided to return the drafts to the two townships with staff recommendations, Galla reported.