The first phase of redevelopment for the Sugar Loaf Mountain property was approved following a packed public hearing last week by the Cleveland Township Planning Commission.
The approval covers phase 1 of the project, which focuses primarily on preparing the property for safe public access. Plans include creating a formal parking lot area and initial trail improvements.
“Phase 1 is going to be the parking lot and just basically getting it set up for public use and safe public use,” zoning administrator Scott Sheehan said. “A lot of people are going to want to get out there and use it.”
The trail improvements are tied to the planned “Legacy trail” that will eventually take hikers to the summit.
Phase one construction is anticipated to be completed by October, however the timeline will depend on contractor scheduling and construction progress.
Sheehan said that project organizers have already begun coordinating with contractors in order to get everything moving quickly.
The second phase of the project will be presented to the township for additional review at a later date. Phase two is expected to include amenities such as picnic pavilions and expansion of the trail system.
Sheehan said that the phase two approvals will be contingent on the project staying consistent with the proposed plans. “There are contingencies to make sure there aren’t any changes,” he said. “But, (the Leelanau Conservancy) has been incredibly great to work with.”
“I don’t anticipate any issue whatsoever. Their goals are very in line with the township and the township’s master plan and everything,” Sheehan said
