Latest news with #ConwayTownship
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Luke Bryan Farm Tour passes planning commission, moves to township board for approval
HOWELL TWP. — With just over a month until the show date, a Luke Bryan concert is getting closer to final approval in Howell Township. The township planning commission held a public hearing Aug. 12 to approve a special land use request to hold a Farm Tour concert at Van Gilder Farm, on the southwest corner of West Marr Road and Fleming Road, on Sept. 20. The concert was originally supposed to be held at Kubiak Family Farms in Conway Township, which has hosted the same event twice before, but officials raised concerns. The last time Bryan performed in Conway, the township's cell service couldn't handle the increased number of people and cell service was down for attendees and nearby neighbors. More: Is Luke Bryan still coming to Livingston County? It depends on permits According to organizer Dennis Freeman, the township wanted him to work with service providers to get temporary cell towers to improve reception, something Freeman is still struggling to get. Freeman also told the planning commission that Conway Township wanted requirements that he was not able to fill. That included the township wanting written approval from the Livingston County Sheriff's Office and Livingston County EMS, which both entities declined to provide. LCSO, Livingston County EMS, Howell Area Fire Department and Fowlerville Police will be involved in providing public safety services for the event. According to Freeman, Bryan will be paying for these services in addition to providing 110 private security officers. The University of Michigan Medical Center will also be setting up a field hospital in the area to treat medical needs on site, so ambulances are available for medical emergencies. The maximum size of the crowd will be 20,000 attendees. Parking for the event will open up at 2 p.m. Bryan will go on stage from 9:30-11 p.m. Freeman and commissioners discussed proper lighting in the parking area, staff numbers, security protocols, unexpected weather, traffic control and dust control on the dirt roads. The main concern from township board trustee Tim Boal was cell reception. Freeman said the Howell Township farm had significantly better service than Kubiak Family Farms, so the risk of losing service completely was lower. He also said that first responders will have access to FirstNet, a communications platform that prioritizes first responders calls and texts. Freeman shared his efforts to get a portable cell tower from the three major cell carriers: AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. AT&T and T-Mobile were unable to provide what Freeman needed. Verizon has portable towers, but they require fiber. Freeman is still working with Verizon to try and provide towers. A few members of the public pointed out that the surrounding neighbors have wi-fi in their homes, which isn't accessible to the public, so residents will still have use of their phones during the concert. After over an hour of discussion, the planning commission unanimously voted to recommend approval to the township board. Commissioner Mike Newstead recused himself from the vote as he had purchased tickets to the concert several months ago. The township board will hold a public hearing to approve or reject the special land use application at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 21 at Howell Township Hall. Bryan is a five-time Entertainer of the Year, according to the Academy of Country Music Awards and Country Music Association Awards. Some of Bryan's hit songs include 'Country Girl (Shake It for Me),' 'That's My Kind of Night' and 'Drunk on You.' The proposed date for Bryan's concert falls on the same weekend as Destination Stars Hollow in Brighton. — Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@ This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Luke Bryan Farm Tour stop in Howell Township takes step toward approval Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Solar farm could locate north of Fowlerville. When township officials will take action
Officials in Cohoctah Township and Conway Township, after years of preliminary discussions, are officially reviewing an application for a proposed solar farm. The Cohoctah Township Planning Commission hosted a special meeting July 29 to review an application for Headland Solar. The special meeting marked the commission's first review of the project. Headland Solar is a proposed 220-megawatt solar farm on roughly 1,500 acres in Cohoctah Township and Conway Township in Livingston County. The development is proposed by Ranger Power, a utility-scale renewable energy development company based in Chicago. If Conway and Cohoctah say no to the proposed farm, Ranger Power could seek approval from the state. Public Act 233 shifts approval powers in certain circumstances away from local governments to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Conway and Cohoctah are part of a lawsuit filed last November challenging PA 233. Officials from Ranger Power say the development will produce clean, renewable energy and provide major economic benefits to the community. But some residents and local representatives have expressed concerns about the project's impact on the environment and their quality-of-life. The commission has until Sept. 18 to make a decision, according to Chair Jessica Buttermore. Discussions will continue Aug. 7, during a special meeting Aug. 19, and Sept. 4 — with a final decision expected either Sept. 15 or 16. More: Will a hefty solar project in Livingston County improve locals' lives? Residents doubt it The meeting on July 29 lasted about an hour and 45 minutes. Planning Commissioner Clint Beach had several questions for Headland Solar representatives. He noted that none of the organizations listed in a provided summary of community outreach were based in Cohoctah. Drew Vielbig, director of development at Ranger, said the company's first meeting in Cohoctah Township took place in 2021 and there've been numerous meetings since. 'We've been here for a long time," he said. "We were here when the township adopted its initial solar ordinance. ... We've been active and transparent about the project here since the start.' Beach asked if company officials were willing to scale back the project to better align with the community's wishes and guidelines. Vielbig said no. Commissioners also had concerns about sound, drainage and property values. Vielbig said the company is working to ensure sound isn't a concern. Ranger Power's involvement in the project stops at the time construction begins, officials said. DESRI, a financial partner, will take over as long-term operator, and would be responsible for alleviating any future issues. If approved, the earliest construction year is 2027. The Conway Township Planning Commission hosted a public hearing July 9 and also has until Sept. 18 to make a decision, according to Supervisor Mike Brown. — Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@ Follow him on X @SalsaEvan. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Livingston County's Cohoctah, Conway to decide on Headland Solar Project Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
04-08-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Aug. 4-8: Livingston County to consider animal shelter fees, Pinckney to talk chickens
In 2025, The Daily is providing a weekly round-up of the biggest topics in upcoming municipal meetings, giving our readers a chance to engage with their local officials on the projects, appointments and decisions that hit closest to home. These round-ups are written on Fridays and updated online Mondays. Municipalities are not required by the Michigan Open Meetings Act to provide an agenda in advance of a meeting, but they are required to provide notice. Please visit your local municipality website for the most updated information. Here are the biggest topics for meetings Monday-Friday, Aug. 4-8: Livingston County General Government and Health and Human Services Meeting: 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, at the Livingston County Administration Building The agenda includes: A report from Conway Township Supervisor Mike Brown on Solar Power. Consideration of a resolution authorizing the Register of Deeds Historic Records Digital Imaging Project from microfilm to digital images. If approved by the full board, the conversion will 'help reduce the need for in-person visits, improve customer service and improve public record availability,' according to the meeting packet. The cost would be $75,746, paid from the Automation Fund. Consideration of a resolution authorizing a change of fee scheduling at the Livingston County Animal Shelter. If approved by the full board, the shelter will increase clinic fees and charge special adoption pricing for (specific breeds) after seeing "increased demand, medical and care cost,' according to the packet. Read the full agenda: How to participate remotely: By calling 646-568-7788, entering ID 399 700 0062, and entering password LCBOC. You can attend via Zoom online at Board of Public Works Meeting: 8 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at the Livingston County East Complex Building, Room D An agenda was not immediately available. Village of Pinckney Planning Commission Meeting: 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, at the Pinckney Village Offices The agenda includes: A review of the municipality's chicken ordinance. A review and update of the Master Plan. Read the full agenda: How to participate remotely: Microsoft Teams. Meeting ID: 257 196 295 579. Passcode hg2CSu. Downtown Development Authority Meeting: 9:30 a.m. Monday, Aug. 8, at the Pinckney Village Offices An agenda was not immediately available. How to participate remotely: Microsoft Teams. Meeting ID: 269 582 965 775. Passcode cy222fo2. Village of Fowlerville Downtown Development Authority Meeting: 7:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Fowlerville Village Hall An agenda was not immediately available. City of Brighton Planning Commission Meeting: 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, at Brighton City Hall An agenda was not immediately available. Oceola Township Board of Trustees Meeting: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Oceola Township Hall The agenda includes: Consideration of videoing meetings. Consideration of a possible Consumers Energy gas franchise for Oceola Township. Consideration of pickleball courts from Howell Area Parks and Recreation. Read the full agenda: Hartland Township Board of Trustees Meeting: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Hartland Township Hall An agenda was not immediately available. Cohoctah Township Planning Commission Meeting: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at Cohoctah Township Hall An agenda was not immediately available. Genoa Township Board of Trustees Meeting: 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 4, at Genoa Township Hall The agenda includes: Discussion regarding temporary signs and enforcement. Read the full agenda: Green Oak Township Board of Trustees Meeting: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Green Oak Township Hall The agenda includes: Consideration of a resolution establishing early voting for all elections held in Green Oak Township. Consideration of the personnel policies and procedures manual. Read the full agenda: Planning Commission Meeting: 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7, at Green Oak Township Hall The agenda includes: Consideration of a site plan from Pure Energy Window Company. Read the full agenda: Hamburg Township Board of Trustees Work-Study Session: 2 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Hamburg Township Hall The agenda includes: Consideration of buildings and grounds. Consideration of Human Resources. Read the full agenda: Board of Trustees Meeting: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5, at Hamburg Township Hall The agenda includes: Discussion regarding the hiring of the treasurer's clerk. Consideration of a motion to enter closed session for performance review and union negotiations. Discussion regarding a fire lieutenant promotion and fire sergeant reassignment. Read the full agenda: Public Safety Committee Meeting: 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Hamburg Township Hall An agenda was not immediately available. — Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@ Follow him on X @SalsaEvan. This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Aug. 4-8: Pinckney becomes the latest municipality to talk chickens Solve the daily Crossword
