The Leelanau Township Board unanimously approved an amendment to Article 13 of the township Zoning Ordinance at its meeting Tuesday night.

Supervisor James Neve said the board approved the change based on a recommendation from the township Planning Commission and county Planning and Community Development Department.

Neve said the primary change was in the article’s name, from Planned Site Option to Open Space Residential Development. The amendment also dealt with language changes to bring the article into compliance with recent changes in the state Zoning Enabling Act. Under the new Article 13, the main goal is to promote residential development while preserving large areas of open land.

In a related land-use matter, the board unanimously approved a request from the Brown family of Omena to amend the plat of the Omena Shores Subdivision by splitting Lot 2, with one-half going to both Lots 1 and 3.

Neve said the family wanted to add a garage to an existing house on Lot 3, but didn’t have enough property to meet township zoning requirements. The family owns all three lots. Neve said the board’s approval is contingent on the Brown family getting necessary variances from the township Zoning Board of Appeals for the M-22 right-of-way setback requirement, and for lot line setback for locating the garage.

“The Browns knew they would need these variances before they could proceed, even with the lot split, so the board made those variance approval necessary in order to receive the lot split,” he said.

In other business during its almost 2½-hour meeting, the board:

• Approved a quote from Ron Kukahn to continue as the contractor to mow the township airport and cemeteries. Neve said Kukahn submitted a quote of $62.50 an hour with a total of 19.5 hours to prepare, mow and fertilize the airport runways and cemeteries.
Township resident Fred Thomas also submitted a quote for $55/hour with a total of 18.5 hours to prepare and mow the same area. Neve said Thomas’ quote did not include the cost for fertilizing.

• Approved lowering the age of retirement for the township’s pension plan through the John Hancock company to 55. Neve said one of the township’s full-time employees had asked if the retirement age could be lowered so he could access his pension funds. The board agreed to do so only if it did not affect the overall cost for the plan or adversely impact any other employees. Neve said the change did not impact the pension plan costs.

• Heard an update from clerk Deb Van Pelt on her research into the cost of offering health insurance to families of township employees.
Neve said Van Pelt has received information from Blue Cross/Blue Shield and is expecting to get input from other insurance providers. He said the board will wait until the outcome of two proposed millage renewal elections to be held in August before making any decision on changing health insurance coverage.

• Heard a presentation from Michigan State University Extension director Rob Sirrine. Neve said Sirrine introduced himself to the board and talked about the services offered through the Extension office.