Elk Rapids Village and Township
Mon., Nov. 9, 9 a.m. · Elk Rapids Township Board, Government Center, 315 Bridge St. (the Planning Commission’s scheduled date is the same day at 11:30 a.m.)
That meeting has passed. We’ll post what happened when minutes are out.
Before the board, and recent decisions
- Pending
The village sewage plant’s state discharge permit (MI0059296) reached its expiration date on Oct. 1, 2024, and is listed as “Extended.” The renewal application has been in process since Jan. 10, 2024.
- Discussed
State Rep. John Roth told the board that data-storage facilities differ from the “Mega Data Centers.” The county commissioner said license-plate cameras aren’t in the county budget, and that concerns belong with the local government that pays for them.
- Approved
Voted 5–2 to acknowledge that the village owes its Harbor Fund at least $282,203, to be repaid as the budget allows. It also approved, 7–0, an engineering agreement for improvements at sewer pump stations 2 and 11.
- Discussed
Took up a data-center ordinance review, according to its draft minutes. The township is deciding on rules and has no application. A storage-unit project and a proposed gas station are both waiting on grants.
- Discussed
One property in the Cairn Highway sewer district still isn’t connected. The township attorney recommended asking a circuit court to order the connection.
- Approved
Adopted a new Blight and Nuisance Ordinance, No. 2026-3, 5–0. Approved a $70,000 letter of credit as a condition for the first phase of a storage-unit project on Townline Road.
- Approved
Approved, 5–0, $22,633.33 as its share of a study of options for repairing the Elk Rapids spillway, with Antrim County, the village and Milton Township. The minutes say the lake-level order should cover Torch Lake, Torch River, Clam River and Clam Lake.
- Approved
Voted 5–0 to keep the Elk Rapids News as the township’s newspaper of record, where its legal notices are printed.
- Approved
Raised township sewer rates (Resolution 2026-2), 4–0. Voted to have its attorney write to Milton Township, its residents and the state about homes on the shared Maple Harbor sewer that haven’t connected within the state’s 18-month deadline.
When it meets
| Township Board | Second Monday of each month, 9 a.m., Government Center, 315 Bridge St. |
|---|---|
| Township Planning Commission | Second Monday, 11:30 a.m., Government Center, when it has business |
| Village Council | Workshop on the first Tuesday, regular meeting on the third Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Government Center |
| Village Planning Commission and Harbor Commission | Dates are listed in the council’s minutes (for example, Planning Commission Tues., Sept. 22, 7 p.m.; Harbor Commission on Mondays at 6:30 p.m.) (not yet confirmed from a posted agenda; check the township’s site) |
Where to find the records
Official website: www.elkrapids.com
- Township board minutes and agendas
- Township Planning Commission
- Township legal notices
- Village of Elk Rapids website
- Village document center
- Village Council
Take part
Township meetings are open to the public and start with public comment. Written comments go to the township clerk or, for zoning matters, the zoning administrator. Official notices of hearings are published in a print newspaper, which must also post them free on mipublicnotices.com. For a zoning request, neighbors within 300 feet are also sent notice by mail. Townships often post the notice on their own website too. We aren’t a paper of record (why). Know something we should look at here? tips@torchlakeobserver.com. A correction: corrections@torchlakeobserver.com.