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Canton Township begins rewrite of wireless-telecommunications rules, flags state coordination and municipal-hosted sites
Summary
Planners introduced draft language to replace outdated tower rules with a wireless telecommunication facilities article aligned to state law; commissioners discussed industry interest, potential municipal or state-owned host sites (MDOT rest stop) and past community opposition to towers.
Canton Township planning staff introduced draft language to modernize regulations for wireless telecommunication facilities and asked the board to consider definitions and siting approaches before drafting complete regulatory text.
Staff said the current zoning ordinance still refers to "radio, television and cellular telephone towers" and that the draft will standardize the title to "wireless telecommunication facilities," add definitions largely drawn from the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act and the Small Cell Wireless Act, and later add measurements and regulatory text consistent with state law. "A lot of these are copied and pasted and put into our definitions even though they are almost verbatim to state law," staff said.
Why it matters: wireless industry interest in Canton is growing and providers have flagged coverage gaps; the township intends to balance accommodating service expansion with protecting public health and safety and preserving community character. Commissioners stressed coordination with state tower initiatives and suggested exploring municipal property and available state-owned parcels as potential host sites.
Key details: staff noted the industry has asked about municipal property hosting and the township is considering whether a streamlined process should apply to township-owned lands that may be suitable for public-safety or utility communications. Staff identified a potential state-owned site — the old MDOT rest stop on northbound I-275 south of Ford Road — as a parcel the township could discuss with state partners for coverage needs.
Past controversies and state programs: commissioners recalled an earlier proposed Verizon tower (circa 2012–13) that drew public opposition; members urged proactive coordination with state initiatives (including state site inventories and colocation efforts) to avoid outcomes that bypass township input.
Next steps: staff will continue drafting regulatory text, consult state and industry resources on siting and potential host properties, and return with a more complete ordinance to consider zoning-district standards and public hearing scheduling.
