Q. 2008-08-11 August 11th 2008 PC RegularA. ALMENA TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
AUGUST 11, 2008
Members present: Vice Chair Ron Marvin, Matt Moulds, Nina Consolatti, Marv Flick, Steve Manning and Bill Van Tassel. Chairman Brian Rumsey was absent. Professional Planner, Chuck Eckenstahler was also present as Greg Milliken of McKenna Associates was also absent. There was no public comment.
I CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Vice Chair Ron Marvin, in the absence of Chairman Brian Rumsey.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA -
MOTION: Motion by Steve Manning to approve the agenda as presented, second by Bill Van Tassel. Motion approved.
III CORRECTIONS AND/OR APPROVAL OF JULY 7, 2008 PC MEETING MINUTES-
MOTION: Motion by Matt Moulds to approve the meeting minutes of July 7, 2008 as presented, second by Marv Flick. Motion approved.
IV PUBLIC COMMENT FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS - None
V ZONING ORDINANCE REWRITE DRAFT -
(Professional Planner, Chuck Eckenstahler in attendance)
Review literature as received from McKenna Associates.
Discussion began with Chuck Eckenstahler indicating that Greg Milliken of McKenna is asking the board to review/approve literature proposed for the open house. He is intending to, with PC permission, have these papers available at the open house, and to enlarge the forms into large poster size documents.
There was discussion regarding minimum lot sizes, in that 2 acres was originally discussed. Comparison was made between the current minimum standards and the proposed within the new document.
The board then referred to and discussed each individual page of information, in regards to Zoning District Comparison, Density vs. Minimum Lot Size, Existing Schedule of Regulations-including footnotes that accompany the schedule of regulations, proposed new schedule of regulations, and significant changes/additions in zoning ordinance update. The PC also put the pages in the order they are to appear, with approval of the handouts with changes, and for poster size documents for display at the open house.
The order suggested is as follows: 1-Significant changes/additions; 2-Zoning district comparison, 3- Density vs. Minim lot size, 4-Existing Schedule of Regulations-, 5-Proposed New Schedule of Regulations, 6-Footnotes that accompany existing schedule of regulations.
Chuck Eckenstahler recommends that mobile homes also be recognized as Ag Med. Density.
Townships cannot prohibit mobile homes within the township.
On the Zoning District Comparison sheet, under current and proposed changes to districts, it was noticed that MHR -Mobile Home Residential District will no longer be a district of its own, it will be within the AGMD Agricultural Medium Density District, simply stating
that the mobile home parks will also be permitted. The PC feels this statement should be directly across the column from the MHR Mobile Home Residential District, to show the comparison as to where this is allowed.
There was also discussion regarding conditional and contractual rezoning, which is essentially the same thing, as explained by Chuck, just different terms.
VI DISCUSSION OF:
Mining- Matt Moulds suggested this section seems, technically, very heavy.
There was brief discussion regarding possibly simplifying the language.
Water quality suggested information from SWMPC- Ron Marvin feels the County seems to have extensive information regarding this, and seems to have covered this well. There was questions/discussion regarding if DEQ has something in place already that would also cover some information. The main focus is protecting the water shed, which is separate from the floodplain issue.
Chuck suggested that himself and Greg Milliken of McKenna review the language and make suggestions/changes. There was discussion regarding phosphorus fertilizer used in the township, but not in residential areas.
The PC was advised to let people know, at the open house, that this book is a work in progress; and that we are currently waiting for feedback from the Professional Planners regarding particular issues, such as this. The Professional Planners will return to the PC, language regarding water shed and waterfront setback. They will get back to the PC before the open house on September 8th..
PUD’s- The language within shows that it can be mixed use and residential. The minimum lot size for PUD’s was discussed, additionally that there are options: traditional, and cluster.
There was a brief discussion regarding setup of the room for the open house. The Chairman/secretary will be in contact with the Planners regarding this.
VII OLD BUSINESS - None
VIII NEW BUSINESS - Letters of intent have been received from both Oshtemo and Antwerp Townships regarding their plan to update their Master Plan. The PC can ponder this and address this request at a future meeting.
IX ADJOURNMENT -
MOTION: Motion to adjourn by Matt Moulds, second by Steve Manning. Motion passed.
The meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
