REGULAR MEETING

September 28, 2010

7:30 p.m.

CALL TO ORDER:

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:

APPROVAL OF AGENDA FOR:  September 28, 2010 Regular Meeting

INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS:

CALL TO THE PUBLIC:                 Agenda Items only – 3 minute limit

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM:   July 27, 2010 Public Hearing

                                                        July 27, 2010 Regular Meeting

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Proposed Zoning Ordinance requirements for Outdoor Furnaces

2. Proposed Amendments to Marion Township Master Plan 

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Discussion on dog complaints made to Livingston County Animal Control

2. Community Placement Facility – Proposed Zoning Ordinance Text

3. Discussion on Article XV Signs – 

¨       15.03 Prohibited signs – subsection E. intermittent electrical pulsations

¨       15.04 W Promo job site sign &

¨       15.5 & 15.6 C Home Occupation sign requirements

¨       Section 3.02 Definition of Signs

CALL TO THE PUBLIC:

ADJOURNMENT:

DRAFT MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT:                 JOHN LOWE, CHAIRPERSON

                                                JERRY SIDLAR, VICE-CHAIR

JEAN ROOT, SECRETARY

JIM MURRAY

BOB HANVEY

MEMBERS ABSENT:                   NONE

OTHERS PRESENT:                    ANNETTE MCNAMARA, ZONING ADMINISTRATOR

                                                JOHN L. ENOS, CARLISLE/WORTMAN & ASSOCIATES

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CALL TO ORDER

John Lowe called the meeting to order at 7:45 p.m. 

PLEDGE TO FLAG

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Jean Root motioned to approve the September 28, 2010 regular meeting agenda.  Jerry Sidlar seconded.  Motion Carried 5-0.

INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS

The members of the Planning Commission introduced themselves. 

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

John Lowe opened the call to the public.

There was no response.

John Lowe closed the call to the public.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

July 27, 2010 Public Hearing minutes

Jim Murray motioned to approve the July 27, 2010 public hearing minutes.  Jean Root seconded.  Motion Carried 5-0.

July 27, 2010 Regular Meeting minutes

Jean Root motioned to approve the July 27, 2010 regular meeting minutes as submitted.  Jim Murray seconded.  Motion Carried 5-0. 

OLD BUSINESS

Proposed Zoning Ordinance requirements for Outdoor Furnaces

Jean Root motioned to table Outdoor Furnaces to the October 26, 2010 meeting.  Jerry Sidlar seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

Proposed amendments to Marion Township Master Plan

Jean Root asked for a hard copy of the completed Marion Township amendments.  Five hard copies will be printed for Jean Root, Jerry Sidlar, Jim Murray, John Enos, and Mike Kehoe.

Jean Root motioned to table the Master Plan to the October 26, 2010 meeting and the Zoning Administrator to provide a clean copy.  Jerry Sidlar seconded.  Motion Carried 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

Proposed General Ordinance – Aggressive Dogs

John Enos told the Planning Commission members that the text he submitted may be more restrictive than Marion Township would want.  He suggested taking item #2 a thru f, Owner Responsibility and amending the language to fit the purpose.

John Lowe told the Commissioners that there have been too many situations and the Livingston County Animal Control Office (LCAC) is too slow to respond.

The Planning Commission members discussed the following.

1. Fine dog owners that have a reported incident with the LCAC
2. The reported incident had to happen within a public right-of-way
3. Reports from LCAC would prompt a Marion Township fine
4. Inform the residents of the new policy through the Township website, cable channel & newsletter in tax bill

The Planning Commission members asked for the following changes to item #2 a thru f.

1. #1 to read; Every dog shall be kept under restraint, when off of property, at all times
2. #4 to read; Every dog shall be identified at all times by a microchip or current municipal tag that states, at a minimum, the name and address of the owner of the dog.

The Planning Commission members asked Annette McNamara to send the amended text along with the questions asked at tonight’s meeting to Mike Kehoe for his review and comment.

Jean Root motioned to table Aggressive Dog Owner language to the October 26, 2010 meeting.  Jerry Sidlar seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

Community Placement Facility/Halfway Houses – Proposed Zoning Ordinance Text

The Planning Commission members are concerned by adopting text then it would be a use permitted.  As it is now this is not a permitted use, nor is a boarding house a permitted use.

Jean Root asked if there was still a homestead exemption on the property and questioned if this would be considered running a business.

The Planning Commission members asked the Zoning Administrator to request comments from Mike Kehoe on this item.

Jean Root motioned to table Community Placement Facilities to the October 26, 2010 meeting.  Jerry Sidlar seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.  

Discussion on Article XV Signs – 

15.03 Prohibited signs – subsection E. intermittent electrical pulsations

15.04 W Promo job site sign &

15.5 & 15.6 C Home Occupation sign requirements

Section 3.02 Definition of Signs

Annette McNamara clarified her request to include another item under Section 15.04.

15.04 W Promo job site sign The Planning Commission members would like to specify a size, 4 square feet and a time limit for removal of 30 days.

15.5 & 15.6 C Home Occupation sign requirements The Planning Commission members discussed allowing freestanding home occupation signs and could not come to a consensus.  John Enos will provide them with suggestions for the October 26, 2010 meeting.

15.03 Prohibited signs – subsection E. intermittent electrical pulsations John Enos will provide the Planning Commission with electronic messaging center language he worked on for another community.  He believes it may be restrictive enough to satisfy the Commissioners.

Jean Root motioned to table Article XV Signs to the October 26, 2010 meeting.  Jerry Sidlar seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

John Lowe opened the call to the public.

No response.

John Lowe closed the call to the public.

ADJOURNMENT

Jean Root motioned to adjourn the meeting at 9:20 p.m.  Jim Murray seconded.  Motion Carried 5-0.