Planning Commission

The Leelanau County Planning Commission was created in 1970 by the County Board of Supervisors (now the County Board of Commissioners). In 2011, the County Board of Commissioners passed a new Ordinance and Resolution for the Leelanau County Planning Commission - making it consistent with current Public Acts and requirements.

The County Planning Commission is responsible for:

• Preparing and maintaining a plan for the development and/or protection of the peninsula.  It will be responsible for adopting the Leelanau General Plan. Review and update of the Plan should be performed at least once every 5 years.
• Preparing and updating a Capital Improvements Plan, and submitting it to the County Board of Commissioners on a regular basis for use during the budgeting process.
• Preparing special studies and plans, as deemed necessary by the County Board of Commissioners.
• Preparing an Annual Report and submitting to the County Board of Commissioners, and all local units of government in the county.
• Reviewing and commenting on proposed new public facilities or improvements.
• Making recommendations on proposed township plans and/or rezoning or text amendments.
• Assisting in the development of model regulations for use by the county or local governments.
• Attempting to prevent incompatible planning and zoning. 
• Coordinating planning and associated development regulations with other governmental units and public agencies.
• Learning about and staying up to date on the responsibilities of the Planning Commissioners and on various tools available in implementing local plans.
• Welcoming citizen comments on local planning and zoning issues and acting upon or referring those comments as appropriate.
• Educating the general public about the values and benefits of planning.