Q. 2008-09-08 September 8th 2008 PC RegularA. ALMENA TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
OPEN HOUSE MEETING
SEPTEMBER 8, 2008
Planning Commission Members present: Chairman Brian Rumsey, Ron Marvin, Bill Van Tassel, Steve Manning, Marv Flick, Nina Consolatti, and Matt Moulds. Professional Planner, Greg Milliken of McKenna Associates, and many residents.
Township Board Members present: Jo Burns, Doug Stiles, Marv Flick, Jim Rickli, and Jerry Lentz.
Many residents of Almena Township were in attendance. They arrived at 6:00 to look over the literature and visual aids on display. At 6:30 p.m. the presentation began. Chairman Brian Rumsey introduced Professional Planner, Greg Milliken, who proceeded to give a power point presentation. The items of detail presented were as follows: Significant Changes/Additions in Zoning Ordinance Update; Density vs. Minimum Lot Size literature; Zoning District Comparison (Current and Proposed); Existing Schedule of Regulations; Proposed New Schedule of Regulations; Footnotes that Accompany; and the Schedule of Regulations. He noted that commercial was previously two districts, and is now proposed as three, indicated by C1,C2 and C3, among many other proposed changes within the draft ordinance. A few thoughts were indicated by residents in attendance as follows: There was thoughts regarding wind energy conversion, possibly a rewrite of that section was indicated, as the language seems very restrictive. Also people would not be able to do this if they did not own a large piece of property. One resident in attendance installs wind energy converters; he left his contact information. Another resident indicated that an Industrial District must be designated, but you must plan (allow) for it, even though there is not a current need. There was comment made of some questionable AG uses. Chair Rumsey added that no changes were made unless they were needed/required; the PC noticed that there have been many inconsistencies within the zoning ordinance and variance requests were sought, which indicates some change was needed.
Professional Planner, Greg Milliken, then opened the floor for questions/discussions regarding the proposed zoning ordinance.
Marv Flick began by indicating the upcoming retirement, following the end of this term, of Clerk Jo Burns; He would like to acknowledge and thank her for her dedication and many years of service for the community.
Supervisor Stiles encouraged increased public input; the PC meets the first Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m.
The public forum concluded at 7:50
There was more mingling and questions if the Planning Commission members in an open house style format.
There will be an additional meeting of the Planning Commission this month, to be a work session/data gathering meeting following the open house on Monday, September 22, 2008.
The open house ended at approximately 8:36 p.m.
