Q. 2009-01-05 January 5th 2009 PC RegularA. ALMENA TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
JANUARY 5, 2009
Members present: Chairman Brian Rumsey, Marv Flick, Matt Moulds, Steve Manning, Bill Van Tassel, Ron Marvin, and Nina Consolatti. Professional Planner, Greg Milliken also in attendance. Township Supervisor Doug Stiles, Parks and Recreation Chairman Diane Forseman, and one resident also in attendance.
I CALL TO ORDER - The meeting was called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Chair
Rumsey.
II APPROVAL OF AGENDA -
MOTION: Motion by Bill Van Tassel to approve the agenda as presented, second by Marv Flick. Motion approved.
III CORRECTIONS AND/OR APPROVAL OF DECEMBER 1, 2008 MEETING MINUTES - MOTION: Motion by Ron Marvin to approve the meeting minutes of December 1, 2008 as presented, second by Steve Manning Motion approved.
IV PUBLIC COMMENT FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS –
Township Supervisor, Doug Stiles updated the PC on the proposal of a 250 ft. tripod internet tower to possibly be placed on the Township property. Southwest Michigan Cellular will be submitting the remainder necessary paper work within the next 2 weeks to Bruce Dean at AGS. This information will be forwarded to the PC members 2 weeks prior to the next meeting. In addition to the tower, Southwest Michigan Cellular will be asking for an easement to access the tower, a 100 ft. by 100 ft. fenced in area and a 20 ft. by 40 ft. building within the fenced area to house electrical panels. They will be responsible for all expenses, maintenance, and liability. The next meeting will be attended by David Vaughn from Southwest Michigan Cellular. Supervisor Stiles feels that this is an important and needed step for the Township to pursue as he has quite a list of residents who are in need of high speed internet, with no options currently available, many who have said they are new to the area and, had they known they would not have access to high-speed internet, they would not have bought property in this area. The PC members asked some questions about the proposal and discussion ensued. It was decided not to get too far into this at this time. It would be better to wait until the PC received a formal site plan and questions could be directed to South West Michigan Cellular.
Member Matt Moulds asked Planner Greg Milliken the pros and cons of this venture and what the proper procedure would be. Planner Greg Milliken answered that as a property owner it is a good venture. The Township has the responsibility to make the most of its assets to benefit the taxpayers. This will provide a wanted service to the residents and revenue to the Township. Regarding proper procedure, the PC must first make a decision to treat this as a special use or to proceed with a zoning ordinance amendment, as cellular towers
are not addressed in the current zoning ordinance, he recommends that it be treated as a special use, if the PC agrees it fits the criteria set forth in Section 3.16.
Chairman Rumsey reminded the PC that this is a review body and that they cannot get involved in the planning process, only review the information given them and make a recommendation based upon that. This must be reviewed objectively.
Township Resident Jeff Weaver, 25955 Prairie View Ave., addressed the PC regarding high-speed internet. He would like to express that, in this competitive world, high-speed internet is important in commerce, education, etc. He pleaded with the PC to modernize and keep our community competitive. He feels that the public will be very supportive of this advancement and the revenue is a perk to the Township. Ron Marvin commented that this is not the only option for high-speed internet in the Township, citing cable and DSL options, to which Mr. Weaver responded that many areas of the Township do not offer those options, including his.
V ZONING ORDINANCE REWRITE DRAFT -
Work Session
PUD – Revisions in the PUD language, Article XV. Some clarifications and changes were made, including raising the density bonus from 15% to 25%. Greg will make the necessary changes and clarifications prior to the next meeting. All members of the PC agreed that with the changes and clarifications discussed tonight this section has been finalized for Township Board review.
Airport Overlay District There was very little to discuss as this section is mandated by State law and there is nothing in the language that is unique to Almena Township. It was asked if this section covers noise produced by aircraft and it was answered that that would not be a zoning ordinance issue but a Township Ordinance issue and that it is not covered in this section. PC members agreed that this section has been finalized for Township Board review.
Greg will email an electronic copy of the updated zoning ordinance draft to the members who want it prior to the next meeting. Greg has some scattered finalization questions that can be gone through quickly at the next meeting, along with going over the questions ZBA chair Kristen Garceau submitted several months ago, as well as the list of clarifications that zoning administrator Bruce Dean requested. Once this is completed, and the PC has approved it, the rewrite will go on to the County PC, then to the Township Board. It was discussed to send out a “coming soon” notice to be sent out with the 2009 assessment notices regarding the upcoming public hearing for the zoning ordinance rewrite.
VI OLD BUSINESS - None
VII NEW BUSINESS
2009 Schedule for Regular Planning Commission Meetings was approved as
amended, the secretary will send out revised copies of the schedule with the minutes.
VIII ADJOURNMENT -
MOTION: Motion to adjourn by Steve Manning, second by Marv Flick. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:21 p.m.
