A long-planned tower which could improve communication coverage for emergency services is now under review in Leelanau Township.
Since 2022, the county and township have been working together to move forward with tower plans, with several major actions taken such as the township passing a resolution urging the county to assist with their coverage shortfall. The township also unanimously voted to commit $100,000 American Rescue Plan Act monies and instructed the supervisor to sign an intergovernmental agreement.
Matt Ansorge, county emergency management director, said the initiative for the communications tower was brought to the county by the township in order to meet their broadband and cellular coverage shortages in the area. In September 2021, a Leelanau County Broadband Inventory Survey found that Leelanau Township is the most underserved population in the county.
Then township supervisor John Sanders and other officials met with the county not long after January 2022 to discuss solutions and possible tower sites.
Despite the efforts made so far, steps in the process were overlooked. Since the project began, there have been three Leelanau Township supervisors. Ansorge cited miscommunication between the township and county officials over the last two years.
There is both opposition and support from Northport and Leelanau Township residents about the tower construction. Some of the issues raised include the actual height of the tower and how it could disturb the beauty of the township; the fact that the proposed tower location on Kitchen Road is on property owned by a Planning Commission member and numerous environmental impacts.
This member has recused himself from proceedings. Those opposed also are critical that the proposal advanced this far without proper review by the Planning Commission.
Those in support of the tower have said it is essential for anyone and everyone to have service in the area that are near dead zones beyond downtown Northport, namely Peterson Park and Christmas Cove.
Proponents also said that it’s the Planning Commissioner’s duty to ensure that proper equipment (like a tower) is constructed to ensure safety for visitors and locals alike if an emergency were ever to arise.
The good news is that both the county and township have voiced that they want to find a solution that provides essential coverage services while respecting the neighboring landowners.
The Planning Commission is now taking the right steps to review the communications tower application and the project has been put on hold for the time being until thorough findings can be made by township planners. The first public hearing was held this month and more conversations about the tower are sure to be held in the coming months. Let’s have confidence in our local government officials to properly review the information special use permit request and hope they find a compromise to build the needed tower while respecting neighbors in the area.
