PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
I. Call to Order - Pledge of Allegiance - Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call Francis McNamara – present
Donald Hartwick – absent
Craig Landes – present
John Maahs – present
Ronald Overton – present
Richard Turcotte – present
Ulrika Zay – absent
Charles Openlander – present
Beth Ball – present
Also present – Andrea Polverento, Planning Director, Amy Kinney, Planning and Zoning Assistant, George Weitzel, Board of Trustees
Polverento outlined the correspondence given to the Planning Commission members.
MOTION by LANDES and seconded by MCNAMARA to approve the agenda as presented.
Passed unanimously
MOTION by TURCOTTE and seconded by OPENLANDER to approve the minutes of 9/3/08 as presented.
Passed unanimously
MOTION by TURCOTTE and seconded by MCNAMARA to approve the minutes of 9/17/08 Special Meeting as presented.
Passed unanimously
Public Hearing opened at: 7:08 p.m.
Planning Commission Chairman outlined the public hearing procedure
Polverento explained that the applicant is applying for a renewal of their existing Special Land Use Permit (03-23), which is set to expire on December 15, 2008.
The applicant brought Site Plan drawings for the Commissioners to review. Public hearing notices were sent to all residents within 300 feet of the site. Agency review was sent to local agencies. The DEQ didn’t require a permit when the site was initially developed in 1998 but will be requiring one at this time. The applicant is working with the DEQ currently to obtain this permit. Polverento outlined comments received from the reviewing agencies.
Turcotte wanted to know if anyone asked about hours of operation. Polverento responded that she did not hear from anyone. Landes asked how long the extension would be for. Polverento responded it would be a five year extension but that was at the discretion of the Planning Commission if they would like to approve an extension less than five years.
John Haglund, Dan Clark and Keith Schroeder from DeWitt Development were present for questions.
Public Hearing closed at 7:18 p.m.
A. Case #08-04 SLU – DeWitt Development, LLC
Each application shall be reviewed for the purpose of determining that the proposed special land use meets all of the general standards. Each special land use will:
(1) Be designed, constructed, operated and maintained so as to be harmonious and appropriate in appearance, with the existing or intended character of the general vicinity and that such use will not change the essential character of the area in which it is proposed.
Planning Commission Comments: This is an extension of an existing special land use, there are no changes.
(2) Be served adequately by essential public facilities and services such as highways, streets, police, fire protection, drainage structures, refuse disposal, water and sewage facilities.
Planning Commission Comments: All of the above agencies were offered the opportunity to comment on the extension. There were no comments.
(3) Not create excessive additional requirements at public cost for public facilities and services.
Planning Commission Comments: Not Applicable
(4) Not involve uses, activities, processes, materials, and equipment or conditions of operation that will be detrimental to any persons, property, or the general welfare by reason of excessive effects of traffic, noise, smoke, fumes, glare, or odors affecting adjacent properties, streets, or uses.
Planning Commission Comments: This could be impacted, the applicant has been operating since 1998 and the Planning Commission has already placed conditions on the operation to minimize the impact of these items.
McNamara asked if the township will inspect the site when the applicant is finished mining and vacates the site to make sure there is no damage, trash, etc left behind. Polverento explained that the applicant has an irrevocable letter of credit with Capitol National Bank. Should there be any problems when the applicant vacates the site, the township is covered with the letter of credit.
MOTION by OVERTON and seconded by LANDES that the Watertown Charter Township Planning Commission recommend that the Board of Trustees approve the request to extend the Special Land Use Permit approval as described in Case #08-04 SLU for DeWitt Development, LLC for an additional 5 years, to expire on December 15, 2013, provided that conformance to the originally approved conditions are achieved to the satisfaction of the Township’s Zoning Administrator as being in accordance with the requirements of the Watertown Charter Township Zoning Ordinance.
Reasons and findings of fact:
1. The applicant did request an extension prior to the date of the expiration of the Special Land Use and Site Plan Review approvals.
2. The applicant is currently operating within the regulations of the existing permit to the satisfaction of the Zoning Administrator and the Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Department of the County Drain Commission.
3. Applicant is in compliance with Section 28-605 General Review Standards.
Conditions of approval:
1. The applicant continues to adhere to all the conditions set forth in the original Special Land Use Permit.
2. The applicant must obtain a permit from the Department of Environmental Quality.
B. Case # 08-03 TXT, Grand River Overlay District Amendments
Polverento explained that at the last meeting, there was discussion of striking the language from the Grand River Overlay district that refers to the Village Service Center district, as the two were incompatible with each other. She suggested simply striking the phrases in the following language:
Division 15. Grand River Avenue Overlay
District
Sec. 28-525. Intent and purpose.
(a) Township officials
recognize that Grand River Avenue is an important transportation route through
the community. Grand River Avenue serves as a major east-west transportation
route through the township and provides connections with the major north-south
routes and to I-96 and I-69. The regulations of this division apply to all lots
or parcels with any lot line abutting Grand River Avenue. , with the
exception of those lots or parcels within the VSC District.
Sec. 28-528. District regulations.
(a) Generally. The regulations of
this division apply to all lots or parcels with any lot line abutting Grand
River Avenue. , with the exception of those lots or parcels within the VSC
district.
Discussion took place about why the districts were created.
MOTION by TURCOTTE and seconded by MCNAMARA that the Planning Commission hold a public hearing on the amendments to sections 28-525 and 28-528 of the zoning ordinance, Case # 08-03 TXT at the November Planning Commission meeting.
Passed unanimously
C. Case # 08-03 TXT, Storage of Recreation Equipment Amendments
Polverento explained that at the last meeting, the issue of utilizing running water and indoor sewer facilities within recreational equipment/vehicles was discussed.
Polverento followed-up with the Mid-Michigan District Health Department, and talked about the issue with Matt Remus. He referred her to Chapter 3, Section 1.18 of the Environmental Health Regulations but suggested that striking the phrase “provided that running water or indoor sewage facilities within such equipment is not utilized” would be appropriate. The MMDHD does not have specific regulations for disposal of water/sewage from recreational vehicles.
Sec. 28-563 Storage of recreation equipment
(3) Recreational equipment may be used for
living or housekeeping purposes for a period not exceeding 14 days in any
calendar year. , provided that running water or indoor sewage facilities
within such equipment is not utilized.
Motion
by TURCOTTE and seconded by LANDES
that the Planning Commission hold a public hearing on the amendments to section
28-563 of the zoning ordinance, Case # 08-03 TXT at the November Planning
Commission Meeting.
Passed unanimously
D. Codification Update
Polverento has sent the changes in both Word and PDF format to Municode. She copied Clerk Husby and Tom Yeadon, the Township Attorney on this.
When she hears from Municode on what the next step will be on their end, she will keep the Planning Commission posted. She expects it will take some time for them to make the changes and return the documents to us.
In the meantime, if any amendments are made, Polverento can insert them into the document and create a new PDF for posting online. That way we don’t have to wait for up to a year for Municode to put out a supplement.
E. Master Plan Update – Visioning Session
Polverento explained that she has sent press releases to the editors of the DeWitt Bath Review, Grand Ledge Independent, Clinton County News and the Delta Waverly News via email. She plans to follow up with them by phone next week.
Bessey and Polverento tweaked the press release and it will go in the township newsletter (hopefully front page) for mailing the first week of October.
Weitzel pointed out that the article did get space on the front page of the newsletter.
Kinney and Polverento (along with PC suggestions) have a list of over 100 individuals and organizations that received personal invites.
Bessey developed a poster, and Polverento has taken them around and posted them in a number of local businesses. If anyone else would like a copy of the poster to display somewhere, let Polverento know, she has a few extras.
The gym is reserved in case there is a high number of RSVPs.
F. Zoning Complaint Regarding Illegal Business Update
Polverento explained that she and Overton are hoping to meeting with Mr. Kowalski next week regarding the illegal business on Airport Rd.
Overton discussed with the Planning Commission what out come they would like to see in this case.
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 9/15/08– Maahs presented the Board of Trustees Report.
E. Zoning Board of Appeals - None
F. Non-Motorized Circulation Plan Committee Report
G. Environmental Affairs Committee Report - None
H. Capital Improvements Committee Report – None
I. Comprehensive Development Plan Update Committee – None
J. Staff Report -
1. Assistant’s Report – September 2008
2. Zoning Administrator’s Report – September 2008
X. Comments and Questions from Audience, Staff and Commissioners- None
MOTION by OVERTON and seconded by MAAHS to adjourn the meeting.
Passed unanimously
Meeting was adjourned at 8:08 p.m.
Date approved:
______________________ _________________________
Ron Overton, Chair Beth Ball, Secretary