The Bingham Township Planning Commission last week continued to make progress in drafting new "agritourism" zoning ordinance language despite a heated exchange between commissioners and one of the state's chief proponents of the concept, Black Star Farms co-owner Don Coe.

Coe has been working for more than a year to encourage creation and adoption of zoning ordinance language in Bingham Township that might help businesses such as his attract more visitors and customers. Located in Bingham Township, Black Star Farms features a winery, a horse boarding stable, a petting zoo, a cheesemaking operation, retail sales, a bed and breakfast inn, and other amenities.

Coe had recently been a guest on a local radio talk show about economic development and, in response to a question, expressed some concern about how long it takes townships to adopt zoning ordinance language that might help foster economic development.

Coe’s comments on the radio were not well received by Bingham Township Planning Commission members who had heard it, however. Some members made their concerns known to Coe at the commission’s regular monthly meeting last Thursday, according to township zoning administrator Steve Patmore.

“Some frank concerns were expressed to me at the Planning Commission meeting,” Coe acknowledged on Friday, “and there was a frank response from me.”

Coe had first approached township planners about “agritourism” zoning ordinance language in January 2007; planners began work on the language in September 2007, Patmore explained.

Coe said he believes volunteer Bingham Township planners are doing the best they can, adding that he believes delays in amending zoning ordinances are the result of a flawed process rather than any problem with hard-working township planners. Coe said he expected to make continued progress with Bingham planners on the “agritourism” project.

Patmore noted that Bingham planners went on to have a “productive discussion” about the zoning ordinance language Thursday night and expected to review an updated draft at their May 1 meeting. Patmore said planners are slated to hold a public hearing on the draft zoning ordinance amendment in June.

In other business at this month’s meeting, the Bingham Township Planning Commission:

• Heard from Leelanau County Road Commissioner and Lake Leelanau Lake Association representative John Popa about several zoning ordinance amendments Popa said he believes the township Planning Commission should consider. According to Patmore, Popa noted that the Road Commission routinely seeks “voluntary donations” for road improvements from developers as a condition of site plan approval; and the township might benefit from the ability to set similar conditions. Popa also outlined some ideas about road-end access to lakes, requirements for docks, and “keyholing” – a practice involving a number of private, inland property owners who share a single waterfront access site.

• Discussed a draft “housekeeping” zoning ordinance amendment that would allow land use permits to expire automatically after one year and modify a requirement that the zoning administrator provide notifications when permits expire.

• Discussed a report on groundwater testing around Lawrence Lake that was required as part of site plan approval for the nearby Leelanau Club golf course. Patmore said the report will be brought to the Township Board for consideration at its regular monthly meeting April 21.