Canton Township planning staff on Monday presented commissioners with a draft zoning amendment that would allow wireless telecommunications facilities on township‑owned property as a permitted use subject to site plan review, while leaving the board discretion over whether to host such facilities. The presentation also described a separate, unfinished draft for small cell facilities that staff said will be refined to align with the state Small Wireless Communications Facilities Deployment Act of 2018.

"If category d is adopted into the ordinance, then the Charter Township of Canton will retain discretion over whether to allow wireless communications equipment and structures on property owned by Canton Township," the presenter said when introducing the proposed "category d" language. He told the commission a public hearing will not be set until after the township board reviews policy direction on whether to allow facilities on township land.

The draft leaves proposed township‑hosted facilities subject to site plan review, not special land use approval, which staff said preserves public visibility because all site plans would return to the planning commission in an open meeting. Staff also described development standards under consideration, including restrictions on tower lighting, landscaping requirements, and minimum setbacks from residential property.

On small cell regulations, staff noted limitations imposed by state law and said the ordinance language is incomplete. "There’s a state act called the Small Wireless Communications Facilities Deployment Act that was adopted in 2018," staff said, and added that the act constrains local authority in public rights‑of‑way, including allowable height parameters; staff cited a 40‑foot cap as an example of a typical statutory limit discussed in drafts.

A coverage map from the township’s wireless consultant, Urban Wireless Solutions, drawing on FCC data, showed differences among carriers in 5G availability across the township. Commissioners and participants said maps can understate capacity problems in high‑traffic locations, where demand can diminish apparent coverage despite mapped signal footprints.

"T‑Mobile’s way out in front because they’ve invested a lot of money in their 5‑G network," one participant said, describing personal experience of switching carriers. The presenter cautioned that FCC map data do not always reflect future network changes or the full operational capacity of towers, and that co‑location or towers on third‑party structures (for example ITC towers) can affect real‑world coverage.

Commissioners asked whether towers would automatically require a special land use approval. Staff replied that in many non‑township‑owned zones — such as light and general industrial, certain agricultural and large‑lot residential districts — towers remain special land uses, but the proposed "category d" would permit certain uses on township property subject to site plan review and board approval of any lease or hosting agreement.

Staff also noted constraints outside zoning: airport approach limits near Willow Run Airport and what was transcribed as "Metatol Airport" could restrict heights and eliminate otherwise available industrial sites. Commissioners recalled a past neighboring proposal in Westland that drew strong public opposition over health concerns; staff said the township has not yet coordinated ordinance language with adjacent municipalities but has invited carriers to provide supplemental coverage data.

Planning staff said next steps include a possible township board work session to discuss policy direction on wireless and broader broadband coverage. If the board signals support for the draft policy direction, staff said the planning commission would have one more review of the ordinance before scheduling a public hearing.

There was no formal vote on the ordinance at the meeting. The commission approved routine meeting business by voice vote and closed the session after staff set a path for further review.