As part of the Keweenaw Alliance Breakfast in September 2021, John Mueller, owner of KML, was one of the panelist talking about the summer 2021 tourism activities in the Keweenaw. He focused on 3 points: staffing, occupancy, and trails. The panel consisted of Brad Barnett (KCVB), Jen Julien (Vault Hotel), Wyndeth Davis (KHNP), Sean Gohman (KHNP), and John.
Slide desk from John’s talk on September 22, 2021
Yesterday, Monday, September 13th, the Eagle Harbor Township Board met to review and vote on the application from Diamond Towers for a special use permit to build a cell tower. This is the 263ft cell tower that is proposed to be located on US Hwy 41, across from the Lodge.
The Eagle Harbor Township Planning Commission had reviewed and voted to recommend to the board to deny the special use permit. The board adhered to the planning commission’s recommendation.
The Board agreed with the Planning Commission that the following two required standards for approving a special use were not met:
As a result, the Board denied the cell tower special use permit application.
It is good to see that we, as a community, are aware of our natural surroundings and understanding the value of the tip of the Keweenaw. That said, now, more than ever, we want to help find a solution to the mobile phone communication situation. If you want to join in, you can stay abreast by going to our projects page, “Improving Mobile Phone Communication“, staying abreast on the activities associated with this project, and even better yet, getting involved as a community member. Fall in love with the problem as a community, so that we can find a better solution.
This week, September 13-17, 2021, the golf course maintenance crew is working on aerating and top dressing the greens on the golf course. They started on Monday, and will continue through Friday, to get the greens aerated and top dressed.
Doing the aerating at this time of year is now our regular schedule, with this being the 3rd year in keeping with this schedule.
Yes, at the top of the Keweenaw, we still have good weather to play golf. So some golfers question why we are aerating the greens at this time. They would like to continue to have a quality putting surface to play on.
The reason for performing the aerating is because of the good weather. We should not aerate when there is poor weather (e.g. rain, snow, etc.). We need to take advantage of this weather when we can. Prior to 2019, aerating was pushed back as far into the fall season as possible. As a result, aerating would not take place every year because the weather would turn wet before being able to aerate.
If we are to continue to have quality greens on the Lodge golf course we need to improve the probability the golf course maintenance crew we can do a quality job. Aerating in mid-September is part of that strategy. This strategy also means greens will be ready earlier in June (rather than in mid-July if not later).
If you are still wanting to play this week, the golf course will be open during the aerating and top dressing process. Golfers will need to play around the green which the crew is working on, and then come back and play that hole or play another hole to ensure you get your full 9- or 18-hole round completed.
The green fees are still the regular green fees as they stay the same throughout the season (June 1st to October 15th). You can find them online here.
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The Eagle Harbor Township Board will vote again on the special use permit application submitted by Diamond Towers V LLC for the proposed cell tower across from the Lodge and Brockway Mountain Road. This meeting is in-person at the Eagle Harbor Township Hall, with comments accepted in-person, written, and email.
What: Eagle Harbor Township Board Meeting
When: September 13, 2020 at 7pm
Where: Eagle Harbor Township Hall
[ Zoom link for viewing only: Zoom Meeting Instructions | Zoom Meeting Link (meeting id: 738 312 0244, passcode: 321) — comments to be made in-person ]
The board will be reviewing the special use permit for the Diamond Communications proposed cell tower. The Eagle Harbor Township Planning Commission and the public have expressed their thoughts on this tower in past meetings, and should continue to speak up at this meeting about this proposed tower. As well, written comments can be submitted prior to the meeting via email to office@eagleharbortwp.org and/or clerk@eagleharbortwp.org.
Below is an image of what potentially the tower will look like and where it will be located. This is based upon the balloon test that Ramaker and Diamond Communications did in late May. In the picture, you will see the red balloon at the top of the tower.
The Lodge strongly encourages the public to attend and voice their opinions on the proposed tower. Many members of the public attended a previous Eagle Harbor Township Board meeting on this same permit application that was held on April 12, 2021, and the more recent Eagle Harbor Township Planning Commission meeting on August 10, 2021.
At the April 12th hearing, the Board voted to send the pending application for the cell tower special use permit back to the Zoning Administrator for further review in order to ensure compliance with the Township’s Zoning Ordinance. The permit application is now back before the Planning Commission and, if approved by the Planning Commission, will go to the Board. Public input concerning the tower remains extremely important. Balloon and drone tests completed since the April Board meeting have confirmed the significant impact on views that the tower will have on the Lodge and Brockway Mountain (photos can be found in the link below).
At the August 10th hearing, the Planning Commission voted to recommend to the board to deny the special use permit. The planning commission reviewed the updated site plan that Diamond Towers submitted, and went through each point required for ensuring the site plan was complete. Commission members agreed that the site plan was complete.
The planning commission then reviewed the special use permit as it relates to meeting all the requirements for a special use permits. The commission members agreed that the special use permit for the cell tower in the proposed location did not meet the necessary requirements for being harmonious with the surroundings. More specifically, they determined that the following two required standards for approving a special use were not met:
As a result, the planning commission will recommend to the board of Eagle Harbor Township to deny the special use permit.
If you are unable to attend the September 13th in-person board meeting and would like to submit written comments, those may be sent to: Eagle Harbor Township Zoning Administrator, 321 Center St., Eagle Harbor, MI 49950, and/or to office@eagleharbortwp.org.
Previous blog posts about the proposed cell tower:
And our projects page focused on addressing the problem of cell phone communication:
It was announced this past month that the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge would become the title sponsor of the Trails Fest event that is organized and run by the Copper Harbor Trails Club. This event begins tonight with registration, and will run through Sunday, September 5th.
At the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, we are excited about being the title sponsor and continuing to strengthen our relationship with the Copper Harbor Trails Club and the mountain biking community. The interest of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and the Copper Harbor Trails Club align because both organizations are looking to foster silent sports in the Keweenaw.
The Copper Harbor Trails Club fosters mountain biking, hiking and trail running at the top of the Keweenaw by designing, building, and maintaining world-class trails (trail system currently ranks 3rd in the USA, 5th in the world). The club started 20+ years ago at the grass roots level, and has blossomed into a professionally managed organization that respectfully works with the community, the land owners, and visitors to create a destination outdoor activity playground for people on wheels and foot.
With new ownership of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge in September 2018, the focus of the resort has been creating an environment that promotes an active lifestyle, with mountain biking being one of the primary outdoor activities. Seeing mountain bikers enjoying the outdoors at the top of the Keweenaw is a joy for the resort team. Since the Copper Harbor Trails Fest further provides a platform for mountain bikers to enjoy the Keweenaw wilderness and the world-renowned trails of the Copper Harbor Trails system, it makes sense for the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge to be the title sponsor of the main event that the Copper Harbor Trails Club organizes and operates makes. More specifically, supporting the Trails Fest supports the world-renowned trail system, fosters a healthy lifestyle, and increases the knowledge and skills of mountain bikers (through education).
By supporting the Trail Fest, we are also supporting what the trails club does in terms of maintaining and building trails that are recognized around the world. The trail system is known in the midwest, the country (ranked 3rd), and internationally (ranked 5th).
By supporting the Trails Fest, we are helping foster a healthy lifestyle for people. Mountain biking and trail running both require individuals to be in a good health. Events like Trails Fest encourage people to stay in shape and get outside.
We have an educational focus at the Lodge with our outdoor activities. When we do our organized bike rides, we are continually providing biking instructions and pointing out information that is interesting on the rides. As well, we do the same with our Morning Miles organized hikes, where we provide information about the plant species and the animals in the area. Starting in 2022, look to see various coaching and skills workshops during Trails Fest.
The agreement is a 4-year agreement starting this year (2021), with the option to extend further into the future. This is long-term opportunity is important in creating a strong relationship, and allows for a vision of mountain biking to continue to flourish in the Keweenaw. Such relationships allow fostering of outdoor activities such as mountain biking.
We are excited about being the title sponsorship and continuing to strengthen our relationship with the Copper Harbor Trails Club and the mountain biking community in Copper Harbor, in the Keweenaw, in the United States, and around the world.
On Tuesday, August 10th, the Eagle Harbor Township Planning Commission met to review the application from Diamond Towers for a special use permit to build a cell tower. This is the 263ft cell tower that is proposed to be located on US Hwy 41, across from the Lodge.
The planning commission reviewed the updated site plan that Diamond Towers submitted, and went through each point required for ensuring the site plan was complete. Commission members agreed that the site plan was complete.
The planning commission then reviewed the special use permit as it relates to meeting all the requirements for a special use permits. The commission members agreed that the special use permit for the cell tower in the proposed location did not meet the necessary requirements for being harmonious with the surroundings. More specifically, they determined that the following two required standards for approving a special use were not met:
As a result, the planning commission will recommend to the board of Eagle Harbor Township to deny the special use permit.
The Eagle Harbor Township board will meet in the near future to vote on the special use permit, and will consider the planning commission’s recommendation in their decision.
If you have an opinion about this proposed cell tower, you can be present during the board meeting and voice your thoughts during the public comment period. As well, you can submit your comments beforehand via email at office@eagleharbortwp.org.
If you are not able to join the next board meeting in person, you can listen via Zoom:
Topic: Eagle Harbor Township Board Meeting
Time: Second Monday of each month at 7:00 PM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7383120244?pwd=anF4ODhDWldGNmdFVlpuL0VVYU1Bdz09
Meeting ID: 738 312 0244
Passcode: 321
Or strictly by telephone at 1-646-558-8656 and use the meeting ID and Passcode above to access.
[ Note: You will not able to comment via Zoom. Only persons physically at the meeting can comment during the meeting ]
The Eagle Harbor Township Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the special use permit application submitted by Diamond Towers V LLC for the proposed cell tower across from the Lodge and Brockway Mountain Road. This hearing is in-person at the Eagle Harbor Township Hall, with comments accepted in-person, written, and email.
What: Eagle Harbor Township Planning Committee Meeting
When: August 10, 2020 at 2pm
Where: Eagle Harbor Township Hall
[ Zoom link for viewing only: Join Zoom Meeting — comments be made in-person ]
The planning commission will be reviewing the special use permit for the Diamond Communications proposed cell tower. The public has expressed their thoughts on this tower in past meetings, and should continue to speak up at this meeting about this proposed tower. As well, written comments can be submitted prior to the meeting via email to zoning@eagleharbortwp.org. [ see announcement letter sent to KML by the Eagle Harbor Zoning Administrator, dated July 21, 2021 ].
Below is an image of what potentially the tower will look like and where it will be located. This is based upon the balloon test that Ramaker and Diamond Communications did in late May. In the picture, you will see the red balloon at the top of the tower.
The Lodge strongly encourages the public to attend and voice their opinions on the proposed tower. Many members of the public attended a previous Eagle Harbor Township Board meeting on this same permit application that was held on April 12, 2021. At that hearing, the Board voted to send the pending application for the cell tower special use permit back to the Zoning Administrator for further review in order to ensure compliance with the Township’s Zoning Ordinance. The permit application is now back before the Planning Commission and, if approved by the Planning Commission, will go to the Board. Public input concerning the tower remains extremely important. Balloon and drone tests completed since the April Board meeting have confirmed the significant impact on views that the tower will have on the Lodge and Brockway Mountain (photos can be found in the link below).
If you are unable to attend the in-person meeting and would like to submit written comments, those may be sent to: Eagle Harbor Township Zoning Administrator, 321 Center St., Eagle Harbor, MI 49950, and/or to zoning@eagleharbortwp.org.
The Eagle Harbor Township Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the special use permit application submitted by Diamond Towers V LLC for the proposed cell tower across from the Lodge and Brockway Mountain Road. This public hearing will be held on Tuesday, August 10, 2021, at 2:00pm. This hearing is in-person at the Eagle Harbor Township Hall.
The Lodge strongly encourages the public to attend and voice their opinions on the proposed tower. Many members of the public attended a previous Eagle Harbor Township Board meeting on this same permit application that was held on April 12, 2021. At that hearing, the Board voted to send the pending application for the cell tower special use permit back to the Zoning Administrator for further review in order to ensure compliance with the Township’s Zoning Ordinance. The permit application is now back before the Planning Commission and, if approved by the Planning Commission, will go to the Board. Public input concerning the tower remains extremely important.
Since the last Township Board meeting, balloon and drone flights were completed. The attached images, which were provided by Ramaker & Associates, consultants for Diamond, were generated during and as a result of those balloon and drone flights. On the positive side, these tests have finally allowed us to get an accurate sense of what the Tower would look like, and we have simulated images that show us what we’ll be seeing if this tower goes up. On the negative side, the tests and resultant images paint a very dismal picture of the future views if this tower is put in place. Picture a white strobe light during the day and a red beacon at night coming from the top of this tower in the locations shown, and you’ll start to understand the significant impact of this tower location on the views from the Lodge and Brockway Mountain. Eagle Harbor Township Supervisor Rich Probst stated the following in a written communication to Diamond’s consultant, Ramaker & Associates, after the balloon and drone tests were complete: “While initial photo simulations downplayed the position of this tower, the recent balloon and drone test that was performed has revealed that this tower will extend far above the tree height, and create an adverse effect on the views from this historical drive.”
In order to approve the special use permit application, Section 10.5.1 of the Eagle Harbor Township Zoning Ordinance mandates that compliance with various standards must be found, including the following:
It is our position that the tower’s height and lighting are not harmonious with the character of the surrounding area. The surrounding area here consists of Brockway Mountain and the Lodge. Brockway Mountain Drive and the Lodge both have scenic views that are unparalleled in the area – those views are a significant part of what got the Drive and the Lodge listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This tower would significantly and negatively affect those views. It would also change the essential character of the surrounding area. Notably, the dark skies which the mountain and the Lodge are known for would be impacted and efforts to obtain dark sky certifications by Eagle Harbor Township would be negatively affected.
The proposed tower would be placed on property that is zoned Conservation Environmental Protection district. The zoning ordinance provides that the district has been developed for conserving land areas which are, among other listed items, “to protect scenic viewsheds and ridge-tops that define the wilderness and waterfront beauty of the Township.” Allowing for tower placement in this location goes completely against that stated purpose. Additionally, it appears that the proposed tower will be located within the Scenic Heritage Highway overlay district (as found in Section 6.4 of the Zoning Ordinance). The ordinance states the following about the purpose of this district: “A Scenic Heritage Highway District is an overlay district crated to protect the natural appearing landscape along major thoroughfares and any scenic or historic side trip route identified in the Copper Country Trail Corridor Management Plan in Eagle Harbor Township. Since Township residents are so dependent on tourists for economic sustenance and since tourists, like existing residents, cherish the natural landscape of the Township, it is critical to protect it as development occurs.” Again, granting of the permit allowing this tower close to and clearly visible from US Highway 41 and Brockway Mountain Drive is completely inconsistent with the purpose laid out for establishment of the Scenic Heritage Highway District.
Previous blog posts about the proposed cell tower:
And our projects page focused on addressing the problem of cell phone communication:
In the past we have not allowed microwaves in the cabins. The reason was for environmental purposes, energy consumption reasons, and health and smell reasons.
However, now that we have limited dining services during the 2021 summer due to a labor shortage in the hospitality / food and beverage industry, we understand that it impacts the food options available that lodging guests have in Copper Harbor. Thus, we have been looking into other options to assist with meal options for our lodging guests. One of them is to now being able to use microwaves in the cabins.
The cabins are historical, having been built in 1934. These cabins were built during the great depression under the WPA / CCC projects which were established to help alleviate unemployment during the great depression. As a result, the resort (including the cabins) is on the National Register of Historical Places.
In making this decision to allow microwaves in the cabins, we want lodging guests to appreciate the historical nature of the cabins, and understand that the infrastructure of the cabins (e.g. the plumbing) is still historic and fragile in nature. Thus, lodging guests will need to make sure that no food is washed down the sinks of the cabins.
In addition, we need to be cognizant of smells – as the logs and furniture could absorb food smells (similar to if persons were smoking in the cabins), and make it difficult to ensure the cabins smell fresh for each lodging guest.
The microwaves are not generic standard microwave. Rather, the microwaves are retro in design to keep with the historical nature of the cabins (two colors: red and aqua). This is also similar to the retro mini-refrigerators we have in the cabins.
The microwaves will be delivered mid-June, and placed in the cabins by late June.
Having microwaves in the cabins will be a test this year to see how they work, and will decide later in the year if we keep the microwaves in the cabins or not based upon various factors.
We will also be increasing the number of grills on property this summer, and offering grilling kits.
The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is located in a vibrant and beautiful wilderness.
Here in the Keweenaw we are in a remote part of the state of Michigan as well as the country. The Lodge is located just outside of Copper Harbor, which is known for being the furthest town from an interstate road in the lower 48 states.
We have some of the most beautiful areas and sites to visit in Michigan. Coming here to enjoy and experience all the Keweenaw has to offer is a true experience to be had and can’t be done in a single day. The Keweenaw offers hiking, biking, kayaking, golf and so much more.
At the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge we want your experience here to be memorable and for you to have the ability to enjoy the time you have in this beautiful place we call home. Guests come from far and wide to disconnect and explore the wilderness. Staying a minimum of two nights allows guests to explore more, play more and discover the wilderness right outside your cabin door. When guests stay a single night checking in midday and then checking out mid morning the following day doesn’t allow them to experience the Lodge and what it has to offer.
Stay a few days with us and discover why so many others have come to relax, enjoy and experience the lodge for 80+ years. Learn about the history and rustic atmosphere of the lodge and the reason guests return year after year. Bring your friends and family and enjoy being outside together and detox from technology in the fresh air and beautiful scenery.
-Fun, Joyous, Adventuresome-
Diamond Communications and Ramaker & Associates have agreed to do drone and balloon tests as part of the Section 106 “avoidance, minimization, and mitigation” process. The section 106 process is a process administered by the FCC when historical properties are being affected by the development of a cell tower. The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and Brockway Mountain Drive are both historical properties, as both properties are on the National Register of Historical Places. The Michigan State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO) is also involved.
The drone and balloon tests will occur on the evening of May 24th and during the day on May 25th.
[ View the Photo Sim – History Highlights 2021-04-28 ]
The purpose of these two tests is to determine the height and location of the proposed tower, and where the tower will be seen from (e.g. from Brockway Mountain and KML). The past computer simulations have been inconsistent in the location and the height (as seen in the image and attached document provided below), so these tests will help with getting more accurate height and location of the proposed tower.
[ View the Photo Sim – History Highlights 2021-04-28 ]
It will not determine the width and volume of the tower or the equipment that will be on the top of the tower. It will also not emulate the white (required initially by the FAA) and the red lights that will be on the tower.
The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge, Grant Township, and Eagle Harbor Township are officially consulting parties to the process.
If you aren’t able to attend in the drone / balloon tests in person,
you can watch via the Hole 1 / Brockway Mountain webcam.
Additional information on the proposed cell tower:
Fall in love with the problem –> Limited Cell Phone Communication, to come up with a solution or solutions.