Oscoda Township adopts solar zoning limits, sets $100,000 escrow for large renewable reviews and approves water project payments

At its July 13, 2026 regular meeting, the Oscoda Township Board adopted Ordinance No. 165 to regulate solar energy systems and passed Resolution 2026-24 establishing an initial escrow deposit of $100,000 for commercial or utility-scale renewable energy facility applications, with a required replenishment when balances fall below $30,000. Both measures were approved unanimously by the four board members present; three members were absent.

The ordinance narrows where commercial solar arrays may be sited in the township, allowing them only in the industrial, Wurtsmith industrial and extractive zoning districts and requiring applicants to meet all applicable ordinance standards and approval requirements. The separate resolution requires an initial escrow of $100,000 for review of commercial or utility-scale renewable energy facility applications and directs replenishment when anticipated review costs would reduce the balance below $30,000.

The measures followed routine motions and no roll-call dissent: each passed on unanimous votes of those present (YEAS – Ms. Fortner, Mr. Cummings, Ms. Tait, Ms. Tregear; NAYS – none; ABSENT – Mr. Wygant, Ms. McGuire, Mr. Linderman). The board’s adoption of the solar ordinance was moved by Supervisor Nicole Tregear and supported as noted in the meeting record; the escrow resolution was adopted by motion of Supervisor Tregear with support from Mr. Cummings.

A letter submitted to the board and entered into the record by Brandt and Renae DePlaunty urged the township to reject utility-scale solar on forest land and to impose large setbacks and a moratorium until studies are completed. The letter stated: "This development threatens our community’s character, environment, property values, and public lands," and asked the board to prioritize brownfield sites such as the Wurtsmith Air Base or private non-forest lands instead.

The letter also raised environmental concerns, citing the presence of the Kirtland’s warbler and eastern massasauga rattlesnakes in the region, and raised questions about health and fire risks tied to certain panel chemistries. Those claims were recorded in the meeting materials; the board did not adopt new policy responses to the letter during the session.

In other business, the board approved infrastructure payment applications tied to township water projects: RCL Pay Application #15 (CWSRF) for $264,113.49; Schaaf & Associates Pay Application #13 (2024 DWSRF) for $168,282.64; and Schaaf & Associates Pay Application #1 — Downtown Water Main — for $106,600.54. Each payment was moved, supported and carried by the four members present.

The board also authorized the township manager to proceed with VC3’s Microsoft 365 email project to create 31 cloud-only accounts and 8 committee distribution groups at an estimated not-to-exceed cost of $6,000, and approved an ordinance amendment updating clubhouse design standards for golf courses and country clubs as recommended by the Planning Commission. A proposed parcel split and reconfiguration was approved subject to compliance with applicable ordinances and land-division rules.

Public comment included Gatlin Dunham speaking about the Northern Michigan Children’s Assessment Center and a Sexual Assault Services millage on the Aug. 4 ballot, and Robert Oaks requesting support for the Wurtsmith Air Museum’s acquisition of historical aircraft. Board members asked that a Lakewood Shores Drainage Ad Hoc Committee meeting be scheduled and discussed election logistics, including absentee ballots and early voting sites. The meeting adjourned at 7:08 p.m.

Votes at a glance: accept agenda (moved Ms. Tait; second Mr. Cummings) — carried 4-0 (absent 3); consent agenda (moved Ms. Fortner; second Ms. Tait) — carried 4-0 (absent 3); Resolution 2026-24 escrow (moved Ms. Tregear; second Mr. Cummings) — carried 4-0 (absent 3); Ordinance No. 165 solar zoning (moved Ms. Tregear; second Ms. Fortner) — carried 4-0 (absent 3); Ordinance amendment for golf courses (moved Ms. Tregear; second Mr. Cummings) — carried 4-0 (absent 3); parcel split (moved Ms. Tregear; second Ms. Tait) — carried 4-0 (absent 3); RCL pay app #15 $264,113.49 (moved Ms. Tait; second Mr. Cummings) — carried 4-0 (absent 3); Schaaf pay app #13 $168,282.64 (moved Ms. Tregear; second Ms. Tait) — carried 4-0 (absent 3); Schaaf pay app #1 $106,600.54 (moved Ms. Tait; second Mr. Cummings) — carried 4-0 (absent 3); authorize Microsoft 365 email project (moved Ms. Fortner; second Ms. Tait) — carried 4-0 (absent 3); adjournment (moved Ms. Tregear) — carried.

The board’s actions change local zoning and place a new escrow requirement on large renewable energy applications; residents who submitted comments and the attached letter may pursue further engagement with planning and zoning processes or future agenda items for additional study.