PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
MINUTES
I. Call to Order - Pledge of Allegiance - Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call Francis McNamara – present
Donald Hartwick – present
Craig Landes – absent with notice
John Maahs – present
Ronald Overton – present
Richard Turcotte – present
Ulrika Zay – absent with notice
Charles Openlander – present
Beth Ball - present
Also present – Andrea Polverento, Planning Director
Polverento outlined the correspondence given to the Planning Commission members.
.
MOTION by HARTWICK and seconded by MAAHS to approve the agenda as amended.
Passed unanimously
Polverento talked about a property on Felton Rd. and a complaint she had regarding their dumping activities.
Overton discussed the codified Ordinance and asked Weitzel and Maahs to find out why the Planning Commission has not received copies of the amended codified ordinances.
Discussion took place about the mowing of yards in the Township and how many lawns are not being mowed. Maahs discussed a parcel on Francis south of Cutler that is not being mowed. Polverento explained that the property was in foreclosure and that it is difficult to get the banks to come out and keep up the lawns. Discussion took place about a weed ordinance.
MOTION by MAAHS and seconded by HARTWICK to approve the minutes of 6/4/08 as presented.
Passed unanimously
MOTION by MAAHS and seconded by OPENLANDER to approve the minutes of 6/23/08 Special Planning Commission meeting as presented.
Passed unanimously
Opened at 7:22 pm
Chairman reviewed the public hearing process
A. Case #07-16 TXT – Keeping of Animals – Wild/Exotic Animals and Commercial
Game Breeding Operations
Polverento outlined the public hearing. Discussion took place regarding the changes that have been made to this text amendment.
Public Hearing closed at 7:28p.m.
Public Hearing opened at 7:28p.m.
Overton explained that this language was discussed at the ORC meeting to address the ongoing issues related to the keeping of large animals and lot size requirements. The new language is intended to remove the lot size requirements which were in conflict with the Right to Farm Act, but adding that they maintain compliance with GAAMPS and are part of a farming operation, which is intended to prohibit large animals on very small lots which have no obvious agricultural application. The intention was to make the ordinance more user friendly to have farm animals in the appropriate zoning districts.
Polverento explained also the goal was to incorporate the GAAMPS into the Ordinance as well.
Discussion took place about amending the second line to say “shall be maintained in compliance with.” The Planning Commission decided to amend the text to say “shall be maintained in compliance with “.
Public Hearing closed at 7:33p.m.
A. Case #07-16 TXT – Keeping of Animals – Wild/Exotic Animals and
Commercial Game Breeding Operations.
Discussion took place among the Commission regarding the language.
MOTION by MAAHS and seconded by BALL that the Watertown Charter Township Planning Commission recommend to the Township Board of Trustees to approve the zoning amendments to sections 28-570 (e), 28-178 (15) and 28-199 (20) as described in Case #07-16 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
Hartwick asked questions about the numbering of the amendments. Polverento gave further clarification of the numbering.
Turcotte stated that he was uncomfortable going forward with a lot of these issues lately without an Ordinance to refer back to.
Passed unanimously
B. Case #07-16 TXT – Keeping of Animals – Large Animals and Lot Size requirements
Hartwick apologized for not being at the last meeting where this amendment was discussed. He asked why any references to lot sizes or acres were removed. Overton responded that if residents are located in an AG district the Right to Farm Act trumps the Township Ordinance and the Commission felt that if the resident is taking care of the animals and being responsible with the animals the Ordinance does not need to be as restrictive.
Turcotte is please that all the burden of enforcement on this issue was moved to the State.
MOTION by MAAHS and seconded by HARTWICK that the Watertown Charter Township Planning Commission recommend to the Township Board of Trustees to approve the zoning amendments to sections 28-570 (c) (2), as described in Case #07-16 TXT as amended, 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
C. CDP Update – Discuss Meeting Dates/Times, Contract
The last time the CDP was updated, a separate meeting was held each month to work on the project with the consultants. Polverento recommend the 3rd Wednesday of the month as a meeting date if that is the way the Commission would like to handle meetings again. Polverento is open to any others that work well for the Commission. Another option would be to meet for an hour prior to the regular meeting. That may present a time constraint issue, however it may be easier to fit into schedules. Polverento discussed both options with Rebecca from Birchler Arroyo, and either option would be fine with them, perhaps even a combination of both. Meetings the fourth week of the month also work well for them. A separate meeting date would also need to be set up for the visioning session.
Overton would like to start calling it the Master Plan update rather than CDP.
Turcotte asked if there was a schedule of how the progression of this update will flow. He prefers to see the progression and then decide from there what meeting schedules will work best. Polverento explained there was a basic timeline in their proposal.
Overton proposed that once the Board of Trustee approves the consultant and the contract that a special meeting be set up with the consultant and the entire Commission and have them run down specifically how they plan to proceed and then at that point the Commission can set up meetings.
Maahs is not opposed to separate meetings on the 3rd Wednesdays at this point. Overton is in favor of that as well.
Discussion took place regarding the proposal.
A. Discuss August meeting dates for joint meeting with BOT for Non-Motorized Circulation Plan
The Board suggested Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 6pm as their first choice for a joint meeting and Monday, August 11, 2008 at 6pm as their second choice. Polverento feels Mondays would be most likely to get an audience.
The Commission decided that Thursday, August 14, 2008 at 6pm would work out the best for them. Polverento will get that meeting set up.
B. Discuss 2009 Budget
Polverento explained the budget. Polverento made some suggested updates to the preliminary budget that she received from the Township Manager.
Overton asked to go over expenditures. Discussion took place among the Commission.
Turcotte would like to see an adjustment put into the budget for a GIS program. Polverento said she would look into the cost of that and adjust the budget accordingly.
Turcotte asked if the subscription for the Planning and Zoning news was budgeted in. Polverento explained that was figured into the budget.
The Commission discussed the revenue portion of the budget.
MOTION by OVERTON and seconded
by HARTWICK that the Planning Commission recommend that the Planning
Director forward the recommended 2009 budget for the Planning and Zoning
department to the Township Manager.
Passed Unanimously
C. Discuss requirements for Michigan Planning Enabling Act, effective September
Polverento explained that she and Overton attended the workshop regarding the new Planning Enabling Act. Polverento passed our CD-ROMs that contain all the information from the workshop. Polverento outlined the new law.
Discussion took place about the new law among the Planning Commissioners.
D. Review Clinton County Master Plan
Polverento explained the review of the County Master Plan and how their future land use designations did not match the labels on the Future Land Use Map Amendments. Also, the northern border along Cutler Road is currently zoned AG from Bauer east to Forest Hill. The remainder, from Forrest Hill west to Airport is currently zoned AP. The County Master Plan noted Residential Center north of Cutler and Francis Rd. Polverento and Overton after review of the plan drafted a letter to Richard Trent regarding their concerns.
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 6/16/08– Maahs presented the Board of Trustees Report.
E. Zoning Board of Appeals - None
F. Non-Motorized Circulation Plan Committee Report – report of meeting 5/21/08
G. Environmental Affairs Committee Report - None
H. Capital Improvements Committee Report – None
I. Comprehensive Development Plan Update Committee – Report of meeting 5/28/08
J. Staff Report -
1. Assistant’s Report – June 2008
2. Zoning Administrator’s Report – June 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 8:52 p.m.
Date approved:
_____________________________ _____________________________
Ron Overton, Chair Beth Ball, Secretary