MARION TOWNSHIP

PLANNING COMMISSION

AGENDA AND DRAFT MINUTES

SPECIAL MEETING

May 17, 2007

CALL TO ORDER:

APPROVAL OF AGENDA FOR:    May 17, 2007 Special Meeting

INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS:

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM:                              

OLD BUSINESS:

1)     Proposed Amendment – Section 17.10 Wireless Communication Facilities

2)     Proposed Amendment – Review of Definitions relating to lots

3)     Proposed Amendment – Section 8.04 E #3 – ERS Yard Set Back Requirements

4)     Proposed Amendment – Section 8.03 B#2 & D#15 & Section 17.29 – Two Family Dwelling

5)     Proposed Amendment – Article VIII Residential Districts – Two Family Dwellings

6)     Proposed Amendment – Section 6.30 – Family/Accessory Apartment

NEW BUSINESS:

CALL TO THE PUBLIC:

ADJOURNMENT:                 

                             DRAFT MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT:                 John Lowe, Chairman

Dave Hamann, Co-Chairman

Jean Root, Secretary                 

Jim Anderson

                                                Debra Wiedman-Clawson

MEMBERS ABSENT:                   None                                        

OTHERS PRESENT:                    Paul Siersma, Carlisle/Wortman

                                                Bob Hanvey, Township Supervisor                                          

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CALL TO ORDER

Jack Lowe called the meeting to order at 7:32 p.m.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Debra Wiedman-Clawson motioned to approve the agenda as presented.  Dave Hamann seconded.  Motion carried 4-0.

INTRODUCTION OF MEMBERS

The members of the Planning Commission introduced themselves; Jean Root arrived at 7:40 p.m. 

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

Steve Merline, 91 Cranbrook :  Mr. Merline said he has concerns that the language in the current zoning ordinance is too liberal.  He checked other municipalities and suggested that our ordinance should require a setback distance from a lot line, not from a dwelling.  Chairman Lowe said the Planning Commission will discuss.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

None.

OLD BUSINESS

Proposed Amendment:  Section 17.10—Wireless Communication Facilities

The following items were discussed:

·         Page 5:  remove the second and third sentences from d (1)

·         Page 2:  In C 1 a, change closer than two (2) miles to closer than three (3) miles

·         Jim Anderson said he would like the distance to be three (3) miles for all zoning districts.

·         Jean Root suggested asking the attorney what distance would be acceptable in non-residential districts

·         Paul Siersma suggested the same distance for all districts

·         Page 3:  Item n, add or property line, whichever is greater

·         Page 2:  Under B—Wireless Communication Antenna, add same language as C 1 n

·         Page 6:  Under item 4—Additional Criteria for Review and Approval, add new item b to establish 3-mile limit, and reletter

·         John Lowe asked Paul Siersma to check on definitions for antenna and WCSF for next meeting.

Jean Root motioned to table this item until the June 26, 2007 meeting to review suggested changes.  Dave Hamann seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

Proposed Amendment:  Review of Definitions Relating to Lots

Paul Siersma reviewed the changes with the Planning Commission members.

·         Page 1:  PC agreed with changes

·         Page 2:  PC asked the planner to use the language from the Land Division Act and Marion Township ’s subdivision ordinance for definition of lot; under the definition for Lot , Flag change the words narrow, private right-of-way to narrow part of the lot.

·         Page 3:  No changes.

·         Page 4:  Under Lot Width, also reference the figure depicting cul-de-sacs; for the definition of Parcel, use the definition from the township’s subdivision ordinance.  Bob Hanvey questioned the use of the word block in the zoning lot definition.  Paul Siersma will check with John Enos on why the word block was used.

·         Page 5:  No changes.

Jean Root motioned to table this item until the June 26, 2007 meeting with changes made as discussed.  Jim Anderson seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

Proposed Amendment:  Section 8.04 E #3—ERS Yard Setback Requirements

Jean Root motioned to set a public hearing for the proposed amendment to Section 8.04 E #3—ERS Yard Setback Requirements on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 7:15 p.m., to also include Figure 3-__ (number to be determined at a later date.)  Debra Wiedman-Clawson seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

Proposed Amendment:  Section 8.03 B #2 & D #15, and Section 17.29—Two-family Dwellings

The Planning Commission members discussed the following changes:

·         8.03 B #5:  add statement at end of sentence subject to conditions in 17.29.

·         17.29:  Get opinion from township attorney on B #1—Site Requirements.  Change second sentence from 20,000 square feet to …minimum lot size shall be thirty thousand (30,000) square feet and have a minimum frontage of one hundred thirty-five (135) feet.

Jean Root motioned to table this item for additional review and clarification from the township attorney until the June 26, 2007 regular meeting. Jim Anderson seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

Proposed Amendment:  Article VIII Residential Districts—Two-family Dwellings

No action was taken on this item.

Proposed Amendment:  Section 6.30—Family/Accessory Apartment

This is a new section of the zoning ordinance.  The section number should be changed to 6.31.  Item #10 regarding interconnected smoke alarms should be removed.  The Planning Commission members would like the township attorney to review this item prior to the May 22, 2007 meeting.

Jean Root motioned to have the township attorney review Section 6.31—Family/Accessory Apartment, including the definition, and after attorney’s review, have this item scheduled for a public hearing on June 26, 2007 at 7:15 p.m.  Jim Anderson seconded.  Motion carried 5-0.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

Sharon Marvel, 161 E. Davis Road :  Ms. Marvel said she lives on Davis Road adjacent to Ed Witt’s property.  She has contacted the township, the Livingston County Drain Commission, and MDEQ regarding the activity on Mr. Witt’s property.  She feels the zoning ordinance should protect people, and the township has no ordinance regarding drainage or filling.  Ms. Marvel said she has talked with Mark Hathaway and Ken Recker from the Drain Commissioner’s office.  Phil Westmoreland, the township’s engineer, said he would contact Ken Recker to discuss the situation.  Ms. Marvel also said the ordinance should restrict times for heavy equipment operation.

Debra Wiedman-Clawson passed out the Revised School Code (Excerpt), Act 451 of 1976 for the members to review and discuss at the next meeting.  Ms. Wiedman-Clawson suggested the township send a letter to the school board regarding this issue

ADJOURNMENT

Dave Hamann motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 pm. Jean Root seconded. Motion carried 5-0.