PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
I. Call to Order - Pledge of Allegiance - Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call Francis McNamara – present
Donald Hartwick – present
Craig Landes – absent
John Maahs – present
Ronald Overton – present
Richard Turcotte – present
Ulrika Zay – absent w/notice
Charles Openlander – absent
Beth Ball – present
Also present – Andrea Polverento, Planning Director
Polverento outlined the correspondence given to the Planning Commission members.
MOTION by MAAHS and seconded by HARTWICK to approve the agenda as presented.
Passed unanimously
MOTION by TURCOTTE and seconded by MAAHS to approve the minutes of 10/1/08 as presented.
Passed unanimously
MOTION by TURCOTTE and seconded by MAAHS to approve the minutes of 10/14/08 Special Meeting as presented.
Passed unanimously
Public Hearing opened at: 7:10 p.m.
Planning Commission Chairman outlined the public hearing procedure
Polverento gave some background on these amendments. The following text was noticed for public hearing.
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.
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.
Deleted Text: Strikethrough
Public Hearing closed at 7:12 p.m.
A. Case #08-03 TXT - Grand River Overlay District and Storage of
Recreation Equipment Amendments
MOTION by HARTWICK and seconded by MCNAMARA that the Watertown Charter Township Planning Commission recommend that the Board of Trustees approve the zoning amendments to sections 28-525, 28-528 and 28-263 and described in Case #08-03 TXT, for the following reasons and findings of fact:
1.) The zoning amendments are
necessary to provide clarification and improvement to the existing Watertown
Charter Township Zoning Ordinance.
2.) The zoning amendments address areas of the Zoning Ordinance where existing
language does not adequately cover current zoning issues. Passed unanimously
B. Master Plan Update – Recap Visioning Session
Polverento was very pleased with the turnout for the Visioning Session. She attached the sign-in sheet for the Commission to review. Polverento feels there was good representation from residents across the Township, as well as from some of our local agencies.
David and Rebecca were very pleased with the feedback as well, and they will be coming back on November 19 to discuss a draft goals and objectives and will also provide a recap from the Visioning Session. They expect to have the drafts to Polverento by November 12 to distribute to both the Planning Commission and the Board so they will have plenty of time to review.
The Existing Conditions Draft should be up on the Web site shortly if it isn’t already.
Discussion took place among the Planning Commissioners regarding the visioning session.
C. Zoning Complaint Update on Illegal Business
Polverento explained that Overton, Tubbs and herself met with Mr. Kowalski regarding the issues with his illegal landscaping business. Polverento talked with the Township Attorney about options the township has in enforcing this. There were not a lot of documents outlining what happened in the past. The attorney did not recall what happened with this case. Polverento found through the District Court and the register of actions that he was taken to court in 2001 for being in violation of home occupation, site plan review and special land uses.
Mr. Kowalski was found not responsible by a Magistrate, then the Township appealed that decision and then he was found not responsible by the District Court Judge. Polverento does not feel that it is worth while to move forward with this case again. Polverento does not like the idea of letting it go and it takes away from the Zoning Ordinance if it’s not going to be enforced by the court. In their meeting with Mr. Kowalski, he did recognize that the neighbors had some issues with his business and made an effort to keep things as neat as possible; he hoped to be able to put up some type of structure in the future to be able to store some of this equipment.
Discussion took place among the Planning Commissioners about the best course of action to peruse with this case.
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.
A. Case #06-0108 PPLT -Request for Extension of Preliminary Plat for Lakeside Preserve
Polverento explained that T.A. Forsberg has requested an extension to their Preliminary Plat, case # 06-0108PPLT.
Forsberg has requested the Planning Commission & Board of Trustees consider a two-year extension, due to the current state of the housing market and the economy. The subdivision ordinance does not specify a required length for an extension (sec. 14-58(3)(e)(2), nor does the Land Division Act (MCL520.120). The Township attorney has advised her that a two-year extension is well within the Township’s authority.
MOTION by OVERTON and seconded by MAAHS that the Watertown Charter Township Planning Commission recommend that the Watertown Township Board of Trustees approve Case #06-0108 PPLT for Lakeside Preserve LLC, granting a 2 year extension to their current Preliminary Plat approval to expire on 12/1/2010.
Passed unanimously
Turcotte asked why they were approving a 2 year extension and if this is being extended to other applicants seeking renewals.
Overton responded that if the applicant asks it will be considered.
Maahs feels that it is a reasonable request in the current economy and housing market.
B. Discuss 2009 Meeting Dates
Discussion took place regarding the proposed meeting dates for 2009.
MOTION by OVERTON and seconded by HARTWICK to approve the proposed meeting dates for 2009 for the Planning Commission
Passed unanimously
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 10/20/08– 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 – October 2008
2. Zoning Administrator’s Report – October 2008, MAP conference report
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 7:53 p.m.
Date approved:
______________________ _________________________
Ron Overton, Chair Beth Ball, Secretary