Marion Township / City of Howell

Joint Planning Issues

Wednesday, February 13

Howell Chamber of Commerce  

 AGENDA and MINUTES

I.                   Introductions

II.                Issues

         a.                  Township Islands within City of Howell

b.                 D-19 Corridor Plan

c.                  Interchange Improvements

d.                 Joint Planning Commission Interest

III.             Next Steps

PEOPLE PRESENT:         JOHN LOWE, MARION TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

JAMES L. ANDERSON, MARION TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

                                    ROBERT W. HANVEY, SUPERVISOR

ANNETTE MCNAMARA, ZONING ADMINISTRATOR

PAUL STRENG, CITY OF HOWELL PLANNING COMMISSION

DAWN COOPER, CITY OF HOWELL PLANNING COMMISSION

BRIAN SHORKEY, CITY OF HOWELL PLANNING COMMISSION

SHEA CHARLES, CITY MANAGER, CITY OF HOWELL

                                    JENNIFER COE, CARLISLE/WORTMAN

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INTRODUCTION

The people present introduced themselves.

Township Islands within the City of Howell

Shea Charles; the existing 425 agreements allows anyone who chooses to formally join the City of Howell , the resident must initiate this.  If a resident chooses to become a resident of the City of Howell they must hook into public utilities.

Paul Streng noted in the 1990’s there were some homeowners who chose the City of Howell and did not hook up.

D-19 Corridor Plan

Shea Charles; the City of Howell has reworked the Land Use Study and would like to invite Marion Township Officials and Planning Commission to the presentation on Wednesday, March 5, 2008.  He asked Annette McNamara to provide him with the names and addresses of the Board of Trustees and Planning Commission members, he will have invitations sent to them.  The presentation will show the proposed road improvements and beautification.  D-19 will be improved from the south property line of the Mobil Gas Station north to Pulford Street The improvements will consist of a five lane road, two north bound lanes and two south bound lanes with a left hand turn lane along with signal improvements at Mason Road. The City of Howell has petitioned the State of Michigan to turn D-19 over to them from the I-96 expressway north, if this goes through the name of the road will be changed to Michigan Avenue. There are a few property owners who have chosen not to participate in the beautification plan.

I-96 Interchange Improvements

Interchange improvements are not in the Michigan Department of Transportations (MDOT) twenty year plan; there was opposition from the Federal Government.

Paul Streng thinks it would be a good idea for Marion Township and City of Howell to petition the State of Michigan for interchange improvements.  He feels if they work together they may get further, they could ask Mike Rogers to attend one of the upcoming meetings and ask if he can help in any way.

The group discussed a pedestrian crossing over the bridge that spans the I-96 freeway. 

Joint Planning Commission Interest

The group discussed the benefits of working together on various issues. 

Jennifer Coe agreed to work with John Enos and present ideas to both Marion Township and City of Howell on the different ways this can be accomplished.  A formal Planning Commission can be set up or the two communities can work together as a committee.  She wants both parties to understand the limitations.  This can also be a brainstorming session on issues to be addressed.

The meeting ended at 7:45 p.m.