Marlin Wingard

This Parks and Recreation Plan for Eagle Harbor Township provides guidance for developing parks and recreational opportunities while supporting the conservation, preservation, and acquisition of land for quality of life. The plan's strategic direction focuses on five key goals: maintaining existing amenities, enhancing recreational properties with improved accessibility, fostering collaborations for outdoor recreation, securing land and access for future recreational use, and developing a comprehensive management plan for the Marina. The overarching vision is to preserve the township's natural beauty and character, becoming a premier silent sport destination, and ensuring thoughtful development and stewardship for future generations.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda. Key discussions involved department reports, including updates on 2026 Assessment Notices, the delivery of a new Hydro Venting appliance to the Volunteer Fire Department, and the retirement of Fire Chief Radigan, with Assistant Chiefs Wingard and Probst temporarily leading the department. New business included setting the Budget Workshop for January 22, approving a $3400 payment for a Historical Properties Review Report for a grant application, and appointing three members to the Board of Review (BOR) to fill vacancies. The Board also adopted a resolution affirming policy regarding Short Term Rental Permits for pre-construction or vacant lands and set the 2026 Short Term Rental Permit Fee at $280 per STR. Additionally, the Board adopted a Resolution of Gratitude honoring Fire Chief Radigan upon his retirement and approved setting the poverty guidelines for 2026.

The special meeting focused on recommendations from the Planning Commission regarding zoning amendments. The Board approved several zoning map amendments: changing the Brockway Mountain Parcel from RS-2 to CEP, changing the Voodoo Mountain Parcels from CEP to TR, and changing the Sand Bay Parcels from CEP to R-3. The Board also decided to send the proposed zoning text amendment regarding the Short Term Rental (STR) cap percentage back to the Planning Commission for review and clarification on calculation methods. Following this, the effective date for the three map changes was set as the date of publication. Additionally, the Board approved a 6-month moratorium on issuing new STR permits.

The Eagle Harbor Township Board meeting included discussions and actions on several key areas. The board addressed the Short-Term Rental (STR) ordinance, reducing the percentage of permits allowed from 18% to 11% of the number of residences in the Township, and rescinded the moratorium on issuing new STR permits. They also accepted the 2024-2025 Annual Financial Audit and adopted a resolution of support for a grant application to EGLE for the Michigan Coastal Management Program. Additionally, there were updates from various departments, including the Planning Commission's review of zoning text changes and reports on solid waste management, tax collection, and volunteer fire department activities.

The Planning Commission discussed a formal recommendation regarding amendments to the Zoning Map and Zoning Ordinance, specifically concerning the percentage of Short-Term Rentals (STRs) allowed. They decided to lower the percentage of STR permits allowed from 18% to 11% of the number of residences in the Township, rounding the resulting number down to the nearest whole number. This proposed amendment will be sent back to the Township Board for adoption. Additionally, there was discussion regarding Short Term Rental permit renewals and the process of mailing applications to current permit holders.