MARION TOWNSHIP

              PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP

                SPECIAL MEETING - MARCH 18, 2003

MEMBERS PRESENT: John Lowe, Debra Wiedman-Clawson, Jim Anderson, and Dave Hamann

MEMBERS ABSENT:      Jean Root

OTHERS PRESENT:     Kathleen Kline-Hudson, Livingston County Planning Dept. 

                                         Brian Shorkey, Livingston County Planning Dept.

                                         Bob Hanvey, Township Supervisor

                                         Annette McNamara, Zoning Administrator

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CALL TO ORDER

John Lowe called meeting to order at 7:40 p.m.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Dave Hamann motioned to approve the agenda as amended to include approval of February 11, 2003 Comprehensive 

Plan Workshop minutes.  Debra Wiedman-Clawson seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Dave Hamann motioned to approve the minutes from the February 11, 2003 Comprehensive Plan Workshop as 

presented.  Jim Anderson seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

DISTRIBUTION OF COMPREHENSIVE PLAN CHAPTERS

Kathleen indicated the Appendix is finished, and a new copy of Natural Features is provided.  The draft chapters included are 

Transportation and Community Facilities.  Brian Shorkey worked on Transportation, and Kathleen and Brian both worked on 

Community Facilities.  The chapters on Existing Land Use, Hazard Mitigation and Economic Development will be passed out at

the next meeting.  Finished chapters will be one-sided copies; draft chapters will be two-sided copies.

Comprehensive Plan Goals and Objectives

Solid Waste/Recycling:  Debra Wiedman-Clawson said she would like to see something regarding centrally located 

township recycling, either with a drop-off center or through the solid waste companies, most of which have curbside

 recycling.  The larger developments should have a single waste hauler.  John Lowe said that should be added to the 

language for master deeds for site condos.  Debra also indicated the post office would like the larger developments to

 have central drop areas.  Mike Kehoe will be asked to incorporate language into master deed.  Jim Anderson said the 

problem with that is if the association isn’t active, there’s no means of enforcement.  Jim used South Oaks as an 

example of problems with private roads.  Bob Hanvey indicated that members of the South Oaks homeowner’s

 association recently came to the township to ask for help in getting their roads accepted as public roads. The

Livingston County Road Commission (LCRC) gave them a list of reasons why they couldn’t be public roads.  John 

asked how items are followed up on; how could this happen?  Bob Hanvey brought up Blossom Farms and Wolfe Ridge.

Bob said the site plan for Wolfe Ridge clearly shows a cul-de-sac that’s in the Detroit Edison easement; this is similar 

to the problem in Blossom Farms.  MTA says the term “structure” certainly could include roads or curb and gutter. 

Jim Anderson asked about having a township contract with a waste hauler.  Bob said it has been discussed.  

In order to handle reasonably, people get angry about the cost. 

Bob said the current plan for recycling solid waste is to attempt to let the residents know what the exact procedures

are for the existing facilities.  The advantage to this is it’s much more flexible for the residents. The Livingston

 County Planning Department (LCPD) has a booklet that provides some information on recycling, including maps

 to facilities. The committee agreed to use the goal and all six from page 3-4 of the Marion Township

 Comprehensive Plan, with the addition of Procedures and Facilities and

  The objectives for solid waste recycling are:

·         Centrally located recycling through waste company or drop-off center

·         Larger developments use same waste hauler

·         Community education on recycling procedures/facilities

Community Character:  This goal concerns the major points of entrance to the township—whether they are favorable, 

the “gateways” to Marion Township.  Kathleen indicated this was the number one answer in the survey.  Jim asked if 

the goal should be something about the balance between urban and rural development.  John said even with the dense 

developments, the goal is still to maintain the rural character. The goal will be changed to read “foster/encourage 

balance between growth and development and protection and enhancement of quiet, scenic, rural character of Marion 

Township.”  The objectives will remain the same. 

Planning and Land Use:  Rewrite the goal to coordinate planning efforts with neighboring communities on shared 

resources (commercial, conservation and development areas.)  Minimize the zoning and future land use conflicts 

along boundaries with neighboring communities along Mason Road and D-19.  Keep objectives 4, 5, and 7; 

combine objectives 1-3 (language will be provided); eliminate objectives 6 and 8.  Kathleen asked if something 

should be included about public education on the authority of the Planning Commission.

  Natural Environment/Inland Lakes:  Jim Anderson asked if the drinking water protection areas should be added to the goal.

 Brian said that would be a good idea.  The goal remains the same.  Objective 3 will be reworded by replacing “for inland

lakes” with wellhead protection objectives.  Objectives 2, 4 and 5 should be eliminated.  Include county’s objective on

 page 22 by changing wording to read “continue protection of the delineation and protection of areas around community 

drinking water wells as wellhead protection areas to protect groundwater drinking supplies.”  Kathleen and Brian will 

provide a map of environmentally sensitive land.  Do we need an inland lakes objective?

Recreation and Open Space Preservation:  Brian mentioned non-motorized paths along corridors—will this lower or 

increase property value?  It depends on the area—discussion was held regarding pros and cons.  Kathleen pointed out 

that the survey responses show support for a millage to fund walkways.  Where possible, open space easements should 

be preserved to provide for an interconnecting network of non-motorized trails that follow natural greenway corridor. 

Keep goal as written.  Eliminate objectives 1 and 5.  Reword objective 2 by changing word “prepare” to “review and expand” 

Commercial and Industrial Development:  Leave this section as written, with the same goal and objectives 1-3. 

Economic Development:  This might be covered under Commercial and Industrial Development.  John felt home

occupations shouldn’t be specifically mentioned.  Discussion was held concerning zoning areas and any possible changes.

Kathleen said that even though goals and objectives are being established now, when the future land use plan and 

mapping is done, that may bring up new goals and objectives.  For example, if commercial development should be

contained from Francis Road to the north, that’s something you see in master plans. That could possibly become a goal 

for Marion Township.

Comprehensive Plan Vision Statement

Dave Hamann recommended that this item be tabled.  The next Comprehensive Plan workshop to discuss goals and objectives is 

scheduled for April 15 at 7:30 p.m. 

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

None.

ADJOURNMENT 

Dave Hamann motioned to adjourn at 10:25 p.m.  Debra Wiedman-Clawson seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.