LeRoy Township Planning Commission

General Meeting at the LeRoy Township/Village Hall – Monday, Dec. 12, 2011

Members Present Guests

Dale Peterson Brian Cool, Clerk

Bill Johnson, Secretary Trevor Flint, Zoning Administrator

Terry Johnson, Vice Chair

Keenus Sizemore Members Absent

Mike Blanchard Alan Gingrich

Terry ordered the meeting at 6:35 pm. Mike moved, and Bill seconded approval of the agenda.

Approval of minutes from the 10/3/11 regular meeting – motion by Bill, seconded by Dale.

No changes.

Zoning Administrator’s Report

Trevor gave out copies of his report detailing actions since the last planning commission meeting. He noted that, building normally slows down in the fall, but that in the six years that he's been ZA, this October was the first month with no activity whatsoever.

Report of Township Board Representative

Dale reports that the Township Board approved a plan to work jointly with the Village in creating a single planning commission to oversee planning and zoning for both the village and township. Mike confirmed that the village has also given its approval. There are a few details to work out--Mike Blanchard and Art Moyses will focus on this, prior to the next scheduled planning commission meeting.

The new LeRoy Joint Planning Commission will be looking for one more member from the community, specifically from within the Village of LeRoy.

Recreation Plan Update

Mike began by mentioning that the Village, along with the Razz. Committee has been working on plans to renovate the Santa House/Railway Depot, to add facilities for minor food prep inside, and a window on the west wall for concession sales. This would be in part to replace the old Kielbasa Wagon. Plans also call for building onto Santa's house to the south with a covered space for diners. There is a grant of $3300 available, if used by spring, to put toward these and other renovations on the old depot building.

Adult Business

Trevor has been working on how best to accommodate adult businesses within the community by directing their placement, using setbacks from various other types of establishments (schools, churches, residences, agricultural properties, other adult businesses, parks, and businesses licensed to sell liquor). Trevor plans to identify possible locations by overlaying the setbacks onto an area map. This will ensure that the proposed ordinance does not, in effect, completely exclude the placement of sexually oriented businesses.

The ordinance will also include a clause stating that, residential or agricultural property cannot be re-zoned for the intended use of establishing an adult business.

Updates to Land Use Plan

Brian led the planning commission through a page by page edit of the township’s Land Use Plan. The revisions will bring the plan up to date through the end of 2011, will note major changes or upgrades to infrastructure, etc., and will include new US Census Data as well as info from the Osceola County Building Department. The planning commission also agreed to add; to the information on Surface Water, named lakes within the township from largest to smallest; and to the Topography section, highest and lowest elevations.

Update on Planning and Zoning for the Village

Discussed above.

Action Items

· Trevor will create a rough draft of an ordinance to regulate sexually oriented businesses

· Mike will move ahead with the Razzasque Committee on plans for the LeRoy Depot, and continue with Rec. Plan grant options

· Brian will supply a draft for approval of changes to the Land Use Plan

Next Meeting

Monday, 2/6/12, 6:30 PM Regular meeting

Mike made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 PM, Bill seconded–motion carried.

_______________________ Submitted by Brian Cool, Recording Clerk

Minutes Approved at the ___________________ Meeting