The TC Record-Eagle reports that Centerville Township planning commissioners will meet April 4 to begin work on a zoning ordinance to regulate commercial windmills and address public concerns about height, noise, property setbacks and environmental impact.
Noble Environmental Power, a Connecticut-based company that specializes in wind energy, identified about 8,000 acres of land along County Road 645 as suitable for between 40 and 60 turbines. Each 390-foot turbine could generate up to 1.5 megawatts of power.
Read Harnessing Wind Energy in the Traverse City Record-Eagle
To break in the new baby grand piano and finish off the Friends of Fine Arts series, seven of the area's most versatile players will take the stage at Suttons Bay School next Friday (Apr 7) at 7:30 PM. Bob Schlueter, Andy Anderson, Hugh Willey, Derrick Hall, Sam Faught, David Schmidt and David Chown will be performing a variety of musical styles including jazz, blues, gospel, New Age and a dash of classical. Call 271-4983 or check the Leelanau Calendar for details!
The Leelanau Enterprise reports that the Leelanau Township Planning Commission has approved the preliminary site plan for the proposed 474-unit Timber Shores planned unit development. The commission voted 5-2 (vice-chair Tom Nelson and member Marsha Buehler opposed) to approve the preliminary site plan from NM Investments of Royal Oak. With one additional unit for each unit of affordable housing built as part of the project or near the Village of Northport, the project could be as large as 498 units.
Read Big Project Advances in the Leelanau Enterprise
We've seen some crocuses around (thanks Mike Field for the photo - click the pic for more!) but most everything else is still sensibly tucked away. There have been a TON of seagulls sitting on the ice (as in this Leland Report shot from last week). I guess the big "News from the Wild World" for the week was seeing a mature bald eagle swoop across Leland's Main Street yesterday, headed towards Lake Michigan. I've heard reports from several people of a nesting pair about 3/4 mile north of Leland on the clay cliffs.
Click "more" for weather & news highlights from the week!
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The Leelanau Enterprise reports that Save Leelanau Farmland filed as a non-profit last week and launched an aggressive campaign aimed at raising taxes so the county government can purchase development rights from willing Leelanau County farmers. The group is seeking to convince the Leelanau County Board of Commissioners to place a millage proposal on the Nov. 7 General Election ballot for a .5-mil property tax for 15 years. Revenues would fund a Leelanau Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program.
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For the past 10 years, we've brought you news, feature stories, information and photos from Leelanau County and northern Michigan. We'd like to do it for (at least) another 10 years, and we'd like your help.
When we started this, the internet was understood by few. Today, all kinds of people are adding to our understanding of the world around us. Young, old, Leelanau residents, visitors and friends - to anyone who just plain loves this place: we want to work with you, to have some fun, to tell each other great stories and show each other wonderful sights.
We know it will take a little time for us (and you!) to figure out how this all works, but we're confident that the immediacy of the blog format, the fact that it allows us to easily add photos, links and much more and the way it engages everyone in discussion make it the way to go.
The Michigan Land Use Institute has a feature by Leelanau Smart Growth Coordinator Julie Hay (her first) about how the success of Oneupweb in Lake Leelanau may force the internet company (and its 40 jobs) out of Leelanau County. Leelanau Economic Development Corporation President Don Coe said: "If Lisa was located in another state, the governor herself would fly down to convince Oneupweb to come to Michigan. Here we have the business in our county already and sheĆ¢ā‚¬ā„¢s facing too many obstacles.Ć¢ā‚¬Ā¯ (more...)
The Leelanau Enterprise reports that representatives from all four public school districts are scheduled to meet April 12 in Leland to continue a discussions regarding collaboration. Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District superintendent Michael Kenney will also be on hand.
"We need to think out of the box, come together as a region and decide how we are going to operate," Kenney said. "Money-wise, we're not seeing an economic recovery until 2016. We're going to have to do some things different. The costs are people and we need to get money into the classrooms."
Read Thinking 'out of the box' in the Enterprise
Leland managed to battle back from a two game deficit on Saturday against defending state champion Battle Creek St. Philip to win the final three and capture the Class D volleyball championship. The 21-25, 20-25, 25-19, 25-23, 15-9 triumph gives the Comets their fourth state title.
Leland's Alisha Glass shattered a state finals record for kills with 48 (30 was previous) and had a record 5 aces in a finals game.
Read Comets capture crown; Leland rallies to beat St. Philip for title in the TC Record-Eagle
Also see Columnist Mark Urban: Glass finally gets that elusive title
Watch Video highlights from TV 9&10 news!
Listen to Leland v. Battle Creek St. Philip from the MHSAA & EZ Stream
View the Box score from MHSAAĆ‚Ā
Wreck of the Jennie and Annie washes up on Sleeping Bear Point
