Q. 2009-02-2 February 2nd 2009 PC RegularA. ALMENA TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 2, 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. 2 Township Residents were 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 –
Ron Marvin added to the agenda, under unfinished business, The November meeting date.
MOTION: Motion by Ron Marvin to approve the agenda as amended, second by Bill VanTassel. Motion approved.
Correction to Agenda: Agenda should read “Approval of January 5, 2009 Minutes” rather that “December 1, 2008”
MOTION: Motion by Matt Moulds to approve the agenda as corrected, second by Marv Flick Motion approved
III CORRECTIONS AND/OR APPROVAL OF JANUARY 5, 2009 MEETING MINUTES - MOTION: Motion by Steve Manning to approve the meeting minutes of January 5, 2009 as presented, second by Ron Marvin Motion approved.
IV PUBLIC COMMENT FOR NON-AGENDA ITEMS – No Public Comment
V ZONING ORDINANCE REWRITE DRAFT -
Work Session
Professional Planner, Greg Milliken, stated that the focus tonight would be getting to the final version of the zoning ordinance draft. He went over the memo dated January 20, 2009 he had sent to the PC members, explaining the changes that had been made.
Section 26.04 (Administrative Variances) was removed
Section 26 was amended to include the requirement for the Planning Commission to submit an annual report to the Township Board.
Section 4.01/4.02 (AG District) – will be amended to include single-family dwellings as a permitted principal use
Section 17.04 (Exceptions to Height Limitations) – will be amended to include silos, grain elevators, and similar structures as allowable exceptions to height limitations.
Section 4.03.A (special use height limitations) will be removed.
Section 7.02.1 (WR District) will be amended to allow only single-family dwellings (two-unit dwellings will be removed).
Section 8.02.3 (Almena Settlement District) will be amended to allow the same commercial uses that are allowed in the C-1 district in addition to limited food services and other similar uses when approved by the Planning Commission.
Section 9.05 (Commercial District) will be amended to require a site plan review for all commercial uses in C districts and wording will make it clear that existing residential uses will not need to submit a site plan to build an accessory structure.
Sections 17.36 and 15.07.C.2.f will be re-worded where is says “to the greatest extent possible”
Section 17.13 (General Provisions) will be amended to allow storage of recreational vehicles in the side and rear yards in all districts
Section 17.22 (General Provisions) will be amended to match the schedule of regulations
The PC and Township Board will schedule a joint meeting to review the final draft together. A public hearing will then be scheduled.
VI OLD BUSINESS
1. November 2009 Meeting Date: Ron Marvin questioned whether or not there would be an election in November. It was answered that at this time it is unlikely that an election would take place in November, but we would have plenty of time to reschedule the November meeting date if necessary.
VII NEW BUSINESS
1. Discuss Mailing Notice of Zoning Ordinance Rewrite: Nina Consolatti has drafted a notice to include in the 2009 assessment notice mailing regarding the process of the re-write. The PC approved this notice.
2. Review PC By-Laws: will be discussed at the March meeting.
VIII ADJOURNMENT -
MOTION: Motion to adjourn by Bill Van Tassel, second by Matt Moulds. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
