PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
I. Call to Order - Pledge of Allegiance - Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 7:03 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call Doug Fleming – present
Donald Hartwick - present
Craig Landes – absent w/notice
John Maahs - present
Ronald Overton - present
Richard Turcotte - present
Ulrika Zay – present
Charles Openlander - present
Also present, Andrea Polverento, Planning Director
MOTION by MAAHS and seconded by FLEMING to approve the agenda as presented.
Passed unanimously
MOTION by ZAY and seconded by MAAHS to approve the February 14, 2007 minutes as amended include Openlander on the roll call.
Passed unanimously
A. Case #06-10 TXT, Watertown Charter Township), proposed zoning amendments to the Watertown Charter Township Zoning Ordinance.
a. Section 3.10, Accessory Buildings, Structures, and Uses (Item C.1) Discussion.
Polverento outlined her staff report to the Commission. Overton explained that the former planning director felt that the sizes permitted for accessory buildings were too small. After reviewing other local ordinances it was found that the suggested size increases were reasonable. In lieu of changing the wording of the ordinance to further describe an accessory building, the Ordinance Review Committee determined that increasing the sized would be sufficient, and would avoid further or future confusion.
MOTION by TURCOTTE and seconded by MAAHS that the Planning Commission approve the language adopted by the Ordinance Review Committee for Section 3.10, Accessory Buildings, Structures, and Uses and schedule the proposed language for a public hearing at the April 4, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting.
Passed unanimously
b. Section 3.22, Water and Sanitary Sewer Service (Commercial/Industrial) Discussion
Overton explained that this item was sent to the Ordinance Review Committee because the Planning Commission did not have a recommendation. The Township Board is asking for a recommendation on this text as soon as possible.
Turcotte feels that it is an error for this language to appear in Section 3.22 in the general provisions section of the Ordinance. Turcotte feels that if there is going to be specific regulations for a district then it should be placed in the district regulations. Turcotte does not believe that it belongs in general provisions.
Overton explained that under general provisions there are a lot of basic that apply maybe not to every zoning district but there is a section for water and sanitary sewer service which is section 3.22.
Fleming agrees with Turcotte, he feels that the general provisions are the ones that apply to all the districts. Since these are specific to three (3) separate districts only, he feels they should be placed under those specific district regulations.
Maahs asked Polverento what her feelings were on the placement of the amendment. She feels that because the Board initiated the amendment as it stands here that it should be considered a part of section 3.22.
Hartwick agrees with Turcotte and Fleming’s suggestion of placement. He feels that land could be sold etc and that potential buyers might not be aware of the conditions if they are listed in the general provisions. He feels they should be listed with each district that they affect.
Discussion took place in regards to the amendment among the Planning Commissioners. There is general concern among the Commission that the requirement of public utilities in the B1, B2, and LI districts could pose a financial burden on small business trying to establish in the Township.
MOTION by FLEMING and seconded by MAAHS to approve the amended language for Section 3.22 regarding the Sewer and Water requirements for the B1, B2, and LI zoning districts and to establish a public hearing for the April 4, 2007 Planning Commission meeting.
Yes – Fleming, Overton, Openlander, Zay
No – Turcotte, Hartwick
1 absent and 1 vacant
Motion Passed
MOTION by OVERTON and seconded by MAAHS to have the Planning Director draft appropriate language for the sewer and water amendments for the B!, B2, and LI zoning district chapters.
Passed unanimously
A. Discussion of Zoning Ordinance & Subdivision Ordinance Codification – Polverento discussed some of the changes made by the new zoning laws. Polverento found some very minor wording changes based on new laws that will need to be brought to the Board. Maahs expressed concern about errors being missed in the review process due to the difficulty of comparing the two documents. Discussion took place about the codification process.
B. Discussion of the Year End Report – Polverento took a look at previous year end report. Her assistant has begun working on the report. She asked the Commission if the stated goals and objectives in last years report are still in line and being met. Turcotte would like to see the Planning Commission accomplishments over the past year in the context of the Goals of the Comprehensive Plan.
C. Discussion of 5216 Grand River – Blight Dwellings - Polverento presented the research she had done on blight dwellings. Polverento explained that in the codify ordinance the definition of junk has been made more general. Polverento brought the definition of junk that is used in Delta Township to the Commissions attention; she feels it is much more specific. Jeff Cranson, Township Building Inspector did look at the property on Grand River. Cranson stated that the property in its current state was not habitable but there were not particular items which would deem the structure illegal.
Discussion took place about adding a blight dwelling ordinance to the Zoning Ordinance.
MOTION by TURCOTTE and seconded by MAAHS that the blight dwellings definition be sent to the Ordinance Review Committee for discussion.
Passed unanimously
MOTION by OVERTON and seconded by MAAHS to forward Overton’s research definition of “structure” to the Ordinance Review Committee for review.
Passed unanimously
D. Invoice for Planning and Zoning News
MOTION by OVERTON and seconded by MAAHS to recommend that the Board of Trustees approve the payment of the Zoning Practice for $75.00 and the Planning and Zoning News for $370.00
Fleming indicated he does not have time to read each publication and would prefer that staff read the publication and make copies of appropriate stuff that is revelent to the Planning Commission and include it in the monthly packet.
A. Executive Committee Report - None
B. Ordinance Review Committee Report – Overton and Polverento met with
Mr. Izler who had very preliminary questions about a potential industrial use.
C. Site Plan Review Committee – None
D. Board of Trustees Report - Maahs presented the Board of Trustees Report.
E. Zoning Board of Appeals Report – None
F. Non-Motorized Circulation Plan Committee Report –None
G. Environmental Affairs Committee Report – None
H. Capital Improvements Committee Report – None
I. Staff Report –
1. Assistant’s Report – February 2007
X. Comments and Questions from Audience, Staff and Commissioners - Polverento asked for Commissioners input for the newsletter if anyone had any.
Overton took volunteers to be on the Ordinance Review Committee. Overton, Fleming and Hartwick volunteered and then 1st alternate Zay and 2nd alternate Maahs.
MOTION by MAAHS and seconded by FLEMING to adjourn the meeting.
Passed unanimously
Meeting was adjourned at 9:34 p.m.
Date approved:
_____________________________ _____________________________
Ronald Overton, Chair Donald Hartwick, Secretary