A moratorium on zoning site plan reviews is being sought in Centerville Township.
Township planners voted Monday to request the township board place a sixmonth hold on consideration of proposed developments.
The planners for a second time have turned down a proposal to expand Leelanau Pines Campground.
The Planning Commission voted 2-1, with Joe Mosher opposed, to deny a request from Northgate-Leelanau Pines to expand and improve the campground on the southwest shore of Lake Leelanau.
In the summer of 2022 Northgate applied for a permit to double the number of campsites from 170 to 342; construct a waterfront pavilion, marina store, boathouse, swimming pools, a splash pad, mini golf, jump pillow, sports court, walking trails and boardwalks.
However, planners denied the application late last year saying the project is not in line with the preservation of the “scenic aesthetic” assets of the township.
More specifically, the planning commission expressed concern about Northgate’s plans for stormwater and septage management.
These concerns lingered at Monday’s meeting.
“I’m concerned about the negative impact on Rice Creek and the hardening of the lakeshore will negatively impact the ecosystem rather than a natural planting,” Lindy Kellogg, Planning Commission chair said. “The seawall increase from 200 to 800 along the shoreline will have a negative impact on the lake.”
This was the second go-round for Northgate, who filed a lawsuit against the township in January claiming planners denied Northgate’s constitutional rights and the rights for use of its property — making up its mind before completely reviewing them and ultimately rejecting plans to expand.
A settlement was reached allowing Northgate to submit a revised site plan that limited the number of new campsites to 150, new campsites in two phases — 98 in the first with the remainder in the second phase. It also capped the number of boat slips at 82.
Planners had three options available Monday night: approve the request, approve with conditions or deny.
What now? Northgate may continue the original lawsuit; file a new one (likely combined by the court into one action), or file a new proposal which complies with the zoning ordinance.
Monday’s marathon meeting which lasted from 6:30 to after 10 p.m., included an initial look at a second “campground” issue.
Amoritas Holdings, LLC and Under Canvas, a Montana company, are requesting a special use permit to establish a 75-tent “glamping”site as an agricultural tourism destination on Amore Road. Application is being made under the township’s Amoritas Holdings is owned by the Goodell family, which also has 16 acres of grapes growing on the site. Their tasting room is located on M-204 just west of Lake Leelanau.
No action was taken on the proposal which falls under the township’s agritourism designation.
Centerville is rural — the only township in the county with neither a post office nor a significant commercial district.
As such it’s facing increasing development pressure.
The Planning Commission has traditionally met 10 out of 12 months of the year and up to this point has been able to keep pace with whatever is placed in front of them.
However, during its review, the planners have found the current zoning lacking.
“Up to this time we’ve been known as a sleepy agricultural township,” Mosher said. “This time is over.”
The request for a moratorium will likely be considered at the next township board meeting Dec. 13.
