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 – present
John Maahs - present
Ronald Overton – present
Richard Turcotte - present
Ulrika Zay – arrived at 7:05 p.m.
Charles Openlander – present
Beth Ball - present
Also present – Andrea Zeeb Polverento, Planning Director
Polverento pointed out that the Planning Commissioners may wish to read about the legal cases that are in the Planning and Zoning News that she passed out.
Polverento also noted that the Planning Commissioners received a draft update on the Sewer Master Plan, and that Township Manager Jennifer Tubbs would be present at the August meeting to discuss any questions.
MOTION by MAAHS and seconded by TURCOTTE to approve the agenda as amended.
Passed unanimously
MOTION by FLEMING and seconded by MAAHS to approve the minutes of 6/6/07 as presented.
Passed unanimously
A. Define “public water supply” and “sanitary sewer service”
Polverento outlined the staff report. She pointed out that the definition of sewer from the Township Sewer Ordinance was quite lengthy and in-depth, and that it was her recommendation to refer to that ordinance for the definition as opposed to copying the text to the Zoning Ordinance. She also presented the water definition, of which a similar one is used in both Clinton County and DeWitt Township.
The Planning Commissioners agreed that the definition of public water supply should end with the phrase “maintained by a public utility authority.”
MOTION by OVERTON and seconded by MAAHS to have the Planning Director set up a public hearing for the definitions of sanitary sewer service and public water supply.
Passed unanimously
A. Discuss 2008 Budget allocations
Polverento explained that the budget information provided to the Planning Commission was as it was presented to her by the Township Manager’s office. She indicated that she had not made any proposals at this time, but was looking for input from the Planning Commission on how to proceed.
Overton suggested that the Planning Commission go through the budget line by line to determine any areas to consider.
Turcotte brought up the fact that the Construction Board of Appeals is not paid the same as the Planning Commission or Zoning Board of Appeals. He suggested that it be budgeted for a salary increase to come into line with the other committees and commissions.
Polverento discussed a concern she had regarding the ICC codes and manuals and that the contract with the Building Inspector required their purchase. She suggested that possibly some of the other townships where the Building Inspector works could pay for those items. Hartwick outlined the many benefits involved in being a member of the ICC; including the opportunity for a written explanation should anything be called into question.
Fleming suggested that we ask for $10,000 for the comprehensive plan update. There were also questions regarding the Township Survey and how the planning department may be able to use those questions in comprehensive plan review.
Polverento explained that she had been looking into purchasing a new digital camera for the Planning and Zoning Department, and would possibly be sharing the cost with the Township Manager’s Office. The Planning Commission felt that it was crucial to have a good digital camera. Ball suggested that the price for many digital cameras had gone down substantially.
The Planning Commission questioned the “General Attorney” category and how much funding was set aside for that. They wished to have an explanation of that expense.
Overton suggested moving the Building Inspector line items to their own section.
B. Discuss amendments to Planning Commission bylaws
Polverento explained that the ad-hoc bylaw review committee had met on June 27 and discussed proposed changes. It was suggested by Fleming that any major changes to the bylaws be brought to everyone’s attention, but that typographical changes be taken on the advice of the committee.
Polverento brought to the Planning Commissioners attention that bylaw 2.19 was discussed by Overton and Turcotte during the committee meeting, and that they wished to discuss it. The bylaw referred to communications between the Planning Commissioners and citizens and that there was some concern regarding the intent of the bylaw. The phrase “scheduling a meeting” was added to address that in doing so would be showing intent to discuss action items outside of an open meeting.
MOTION by FLEMING and seconded by MAAHS to approve the recommended changes to the Planning Commission Bylaws.
Passed unanimously
C. Discuss rezoning Ag District between Eaton Highway and railroad tracks to RR, and other areas of the township which may require zoning changes due to changes in use.
MOTION by TURCOTTE and seconded by MAAHS to table Item VIII C for further discussion
Passed unanimously
D. Discuss portable storage containers
Polverento outlined the staff report and discussed that the “PODS” storage containers were popping up in yards in the Township and in other local areas. She asked the commissioners if it was an item that they wished to address from a zoning standpoint.
Ball brought up that her family had recently used the storage containers, and said that she would get with them to find out some more information to bring to the commission.
E. Grand River Ave driveway/ZBA discussion
Turcotte outlined a former ZBA decision that allowed for a driveway in an area that he felt was not in line with the ordinance, and questioned that now that the property was up for sale, if the decision would stand.
Overton explained that all Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals decisions like that run with the land, and a change of ownership doesn’t require a new decision.
A. Executive Committee Report - None
B. Ordinance Review Committee Report – None
C. Site Plan Review Committee Report - None
D. Board of Trustees Report - DRAFT Minutes (6/18/07) – Maahs presented the Board of Trustees Report.
E. Zoning Board of Appeals - None
F. Non-Motorized Circulation Plan Committee Report – Meeting scheduled 7/25
G. Environmental Affairs Committee Report - None
H. Capital Improvements Committee Report - None
I. Staff Report -
1. Assistant’s Report - June 2007
2. Director’s Report - June 2007
X. Comments and Questions from Audience, Staff and Commissioners
Polverento discussed a meeting she had with a resident who was concerned about animals being kept in poor condition and near a home, causing an odor issue. She also mentioned that following the rezoning, that there would be new zoning maps available that reflected the change. She also added that she was expecting a draft of the codified ordinance, and that that process was moving along.
MOTION by MAAHS and seconded by FLEMING to adjourn the meeting.
Passed unanimously
Meeting was adjourned at 9:15p.m.
Date approved:
_____________________________ _____________________________
Ron Overton, Chair Donald Hartwick, Secretary