The Leelanau Township Planning Commission will meet tonight to determine the fate of an application for special use permit for Leelanau County to construct a communications tower off Kitchen Road.
Some lives could depend upon it. It’s no secret that cell phone coverage in the Northport area is spotty. In fact, the need for improved coverage has been discussed for more than a decade.
Thirty years ago, Leelanau County met opposition from persons living in southern Leland Township, who alleged that plans for a new communications tower would upset the flight patterns of migrating birds. Ultimately, the tower was erected and there were no other issues with neighboring property owners.
As proposed Leelanau County would own and maintain the facility as part of its tower network. The county undertook an evaluation of seven sites before determining the Kitchen Road location provides superior coverage, particularly in “dead zones” without coverage. The study revealed that the site provided excellent, strong and average signal coverage throughout the township.
However, other areas of the county have better coverage and callers can confidently dial 911 and know someone will pick up on the other end.
Emergency responders call the first 60 minutes after a traumatic injury the “golden hour,” referring to the idea that prompt medical care is essential for a patient’s outcome.
Meanwhile, residents and visitors in Leelanau Township, could be in jeopardy as calls made for assistance may not go through. Delaying treatment after the first 60 minutes (the golden hour) could have an negative impact for those needing help.
In 2022, the Leelanau Township Fire Department recorded 425 calls. Of these, 292 was for EMS.
Funding for the tower is secured. Leelanau County is the primary funder. Cherryland Electric Cooperative, Inc. has committed $150,000 and Leelanau Township will invest $100,000.
If rejected, the county may not undertake another costly and time-consuming tower project even as the public safety risk is not addressed.
Failure to pro-actively address public safety and emergency services when the solution was available may leave the township and taxpayers vulnerable to personal injury lawsuits.
The tower is needed as the public benefit can be considered a “collective” benefit of an organized broader community that exceeds the advantages of the individual.
