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 Donald Hartwick – present
Craig Landes – present
John Maahs - present
Ronald Overton – present
Richard Turcotte – present
Ulrika Zay – present
Charles Openlander – present
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 amended.
Passed unanimously
MOTION by HARTWICK and seconded by LANDES to approve the minutes of 4/9/08 as amended.
Passed unanimously
A. Tonya Olsen from Granger Landfill
Made a presentation sharing what has been going on at Grangers and what ideas they have for the future regarding alternative energy.
B. Case #07-16 TXT – Keeping of Animals – Wild/Exotic Animals and Commercial Game Breeding Operations, Set ORC Meeting Date
Polverento gave a brief summary of the text amendment and that at the last Planning Commission meeting the Commission referred this issue back to the Ordinance Review Committee for a re-write following public input at the last meeting. The meeting was set for May 20, 2008 at 4:00pm
C. Case #07-16 TXT – Keeping of Animals – Large Animals and Lot Size Requirements.
Polverento explaines she has been working with Marilyn Thelen from Clinton County MSU Extension on this issue, as she discussed last month. In speaking with other agents around the state about this issue, Marilyn found out that some municipalities around Mt. Pleasant have been looking into this as well, and they held a workshop about it last week. Unfortunately, Polverento found out about the meeting too late to attend, but Marilyn is collecting all of the handouts and information that was presented at the meeting and she will be getting that them to Polverento shortly. Polverento will pass it along as soon as she receive it.
Polverento also spoke with another MSUE agent from Ingham County at Ron’s suggestion, and he also had a few ideas on the subject. Once she has the information from Mt. Pleasant She will bring it all together and present some ideas.
Overton asked if Polverento could have that information together by May 20th for the Ordinance Review Committee meeting.
A. Comprehensive Development Plan Update
Polverento explained that the RFP was approved by the Township Board at the April meeting. The RFP’s were mailed by April 23 to the firms that we discussed, and the legal notice has been sent to the Lansing State Journal by the Township Clerk.
Several firms have already called requesting a copy of the current CDP and FLUM, Polverento is expecting that there will have several proposals to consider.
Polverento pointed out that, Landplan, Villican Leman, and Mead & Hunt have all requested the copies, and Jean heard from LSL that they may be working on a proposal as well. McKenna called this afternoon as well.
The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 16
Overton asked if the sub-committee needed to meet after the RFPs are received. Polverento responded that the sub committee does need to meet and a tentative meeting is scheduled for May 28, 2008 to look over the submissions.
Hartwick suggested that when the CDP gets brought to the Planning Commission that the changes be outlined between the old plan and the new plan.
Discussion took place about the CDP plan and RFPs
B. Site Plan Review expected: Preliminary report on 5542 W. Grand River Ave, Wolverton
Polverento explained that she has received a preliminary site plan from Wolverton, and has attached the general information for your review. Just prior to the meeting she received the application and payment and is in the process of writing up a staff report
Polverento has scheduled a site plan review committee meeting for Monday, May 12 at 7 pm to review the plans.
Polverento explained that this is a large expansion of the Wolverton warehouse for stroing pet food. The proposed addition is 90,480 square feet to be located on the northside of the existing property. Wolverton made an addition in 2004, when they did that they actually covered up a water main that is on the property for internal fire suppression, they are proposing to do that again with this expansion and they will also have to move a fire hydrant. Polverento has contacted the Fire Chief and he will be working with the Building Inspector. Agency review letters were sent out today.
Polverento explained that in talking with the Building Inspector he had indicated that in the past with expansion, such as John Henry for example. He in cooperation with the Township has issued foundation only permits, at the applicants risk if it looked like the Site Plan review was going to be favorable. Which give the applicant the opportunity to get started while the site plan process was being finalized. Polverento asked the Commission what their thoughts were on this issue.
Maahs is not against the idea of issuing the foundation only permit however he wants the Planning Commission to be extremely confident that there are not going to be any problems. He would like to move cautiously on issueing this type of permit unless there is an unusual circumstance that would cause the applicant to need to start the foundation before the Site Plan has approval.
Zay asked what the reasoning is for the applicant taking the risk of putting in a foundation before getting approval from the Township. Hartwick responded that this type of thing is common in the construction industry. Also there are vast increases in material costs so the desire is to buy and use the materials as quickly as possible.
Overton feels before such a permit should be issues, the applicant should request in writing to obtain the permit and explain why they are asking for the permit.
Discussion took place regarding the proposed Site Plan.
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 4/21/08– Maahs presented the Board of Trustees Report.
E. Zoning Board of Appeals – None.
F. Non-Motorized Circulation Plan Committee Report – None
G. Environmental Affairs Committee Report - None
H. Capital Improvements Committee Report – None
I. Comprehensive Development Plan Update Committee – Set Meeting date
J. Staff Report -
1. Assistant’s Report – April 2008
2. Zoning Administrator’s Report – April 2008
X. Comments and Questions from Audience, Staff and Commissioners -
MOTION by MAAHS and seconded by TURCOTTE and seconded by to adjourn the meeting.
Passed unanimously
Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
Date approved:
_____________________________ _____________________________
Ron Overton, Chair John Maahs, Acting Secretary