An Elmwood Township farm owner who frequently hosts weddings and events on his property was arraigned this week after blocking law enforcement from reaching a guest who was overdosing at his site.

Frank Noverr, 65, was arraigned Tuesday on two counts of obstructing or hindering law enforcement/emergency medical personnel in connection to the August 13 incident. On that date, the Leelanau 911 Dispatch Center received a call at 10:37pm from Noverr's property on Lakeview Road reporting that a woman was possibly overdosing on an unknown substance. Leelanau County Sheriff's Office deputies and Elmwood Fire and Rescue personnel were dispatched to the scene.

The first deputy to arrive was met by a security guard at the base of the driveway. After verifying the address with the guard, the deputy started up the driveway, but was confronted by Noverr. Though the deputy had his emergency lights activated, Noverr blocked the driveway to prevent the deputy from going any further. The deputy notified Noverr of the medical call, but Noverr denied anything was wrong and refused to allow the deputy to proceed.

While the deputy and Noverr were talking, an individual drove up on a golf cart and pointed up the driveway, saying there was a guest in need of help. At this point, the deputy bypassed Noverr and was directed by another witness to a large wedding party, where a 33-year-old female victim was found on the west side of Noverr's barn. Medical personnel arrived and began treating the patient, who was taken to Munson Medical Center by North Flight Ambulance.

After reviewing the police report, the Leelanau County Prosecuting Attorney's office authorized a two-count warrant against Noverr, who was arraigned on the charges. Obstructing or hindering law enforcement/emergency medical personnel is punishable by up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $2,000 or both.

The charges follow three years of battles between the property owner and both neighbors and Elmwood Township over Noverr's hosting of events on his farm. After the Elmwood Township Board of Zoning Appeals rejected Noverr for a conditional land use permit in January, Noverr sued the township in Thirteenth Circuit Court. Judge Philip Rodgers sided with Noverr, determining the township's planning commission and not zoning department should have reviewed the permit application. Noverr is set to appear before the planning commission for a new hearing on his permit request September 20, according to Zoning Administrator Sara Kopriva.

In the interim, Noverr "cannot be operating any commercial events on the property," says Kopriva. That ban has been in place since September 2013. Neighbors have alleged that Noverr has continued to host frequent weddings and events on the property despite the ban, resulting in loud noise and music, bright lights and heavy neighborhood traffic late into the night. Noverr has maintained that any events on his site have been private or only for family and friends, and that he has not made money on any of them.

Pictured: Frank Noverr. Photo credit: Leelanau County Sheriff's Office.