LeRoy Township Planning Commission

Regular Meeting

Monday, November 12, 2007

Members present: Members absent: Guests:

Brian Cool, Chair Trevor Flint, Zoning Admin

Julie Keefer, Vice-chair Pam Hall

Jerry Kull Brent Sible

Tania Hanline

Keenus Sizemore

Terry Johnson

Alan Gingrich

Betty Strunk, Recording Clerk

Brian called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

Added to the agenda was the resignation as Vice-Chair of Julie Keefer. Motion to accept the agenda with addition was made by Tania, Julie supported, motion carried.

Motion to approve the September 10, 2007 minutes with a change (page 2, paragraph 10, should be conforming, not confirming) was made by Julie, Alan supported, motion carried.

Trevor passed out copies of his Zoning Administrator report, short discussion followed.

Betty explained in order for her to be listed as secretary for the commission she would have to be a member. The township appointed her as recording clerk for the commission but a secretary would need to be elected. Alan made a motion to elect Julie as secretary, Terry supported, motion carried.

Keenus made a motion to elect Alan as Vice-Chair, Jerry supported, motion carried.

Julie welcomed Alan as the newest member of the commission.

Reviewed the proposed Water Withdrawal ordinance. Discussion followed. Some points brought up:

1. The State of Michigan has final say in the regulation of water.

2. Would like to see some statistics showing how bottling plants affect private wells, lakes and streams.

3. Would like to see ordinances from other townships, check to see if they have been effective.

4. The Michigan Groundwater Steward Program was cited as a good place for information.

5. Check with the attorney to see how effective a water withdrawal ordinance would be.

6. Keep any water withdrawal in the Renaissance Zone.

7. Gather input from the community.

Brian asked if there should be a committee appointed to study the matter further, no affirmative reactions.

Trevor stated he talked with the township attorney, Bryan Graham, who said we should not attempt to write our own Adult Entertainment ordinance or use another town’s as our base. The commission should make an outline of what is wanted in the ordinance and the firm would write one up, it can be as restrictive or as light as we require. Trevor will speak with B Graham for further clarification and the cost of his coming here to meet with us versus the cost of a delegation going to his office for a meeting.

Brian passed out copies of research he compiled regarding a possible addition to our ordinances – “cottage Industry”. After discussion it was decided not to pursue changes at this time.

Trevor checked on the condition of the signs on Mackinaw Trail by the freeway entrance and will continue to do so. He found out that mowing around the signs is the responsibility of the county.

Keenus said he was requested to find out why the planning commission put a limit of 6 foster children in a particular home. Discussion found the commission has no say in the matter.

Julie asked Trevor if Alan Gingrich received a permit for his building and was he charged for it. Trevor stated Alan obtained a permit and was not charged as at the time, Trevor thought forestry was an agricultural industry. Since then he has discovered it is not but feels he should not charge after the fact.

Julie pointed out the commission is the supervising body for the ZBA and zoning administrator. The commission needs to be sure these entities are following the proper guidelines as listed in the ordinances.

The commission went over the LeRoy Township Rules of Order with an eye toward adopting them for the commission. After discussion, there were changes noted to make them applicable to the Planning Commission. Julie made a motion to adopt the revised Rules of Order, Alan supported. Roll call vote as follows: Alan – yes, Jerry – yes, Terry – yes, Brian – yes, Tania – yes, Julie – yes, Keenus – yes. Motion carried.

Julie made a motion to resend the above motion, Tania supported, motion carried.

Noted under “Resolutions” in the Rules of Order the following need to be added: Changes to bylaws and changes to policies. Julie made a motion to adopt the bylaws as amended, Tania supported. Roll call vote as follows: Alan – yes, Jerry – yes, Terry – yes, Brian – yes, Tania – yes, Julie – yes, Keenus – yes. Motion carried.

Brian informed us he is working on plans to update member folders, a member term schedule, and keeping a list of changes/additions he finds need to be addressed as he goes through the LeRoy Township Land Use Plan and Ordinances.

Brian asked Trevor if he obtained a list of nonconforming property in our township. Trevor stated he discussed this with Art Moyses and Art told him there were 20-40 pieces of such properties in the township. Art can get him a list but it will take 3-4 hours. Trevor wanted to check with the commission to see if we wanted him to take the time to do this. After discussion it was decided not to have Art make a list but to address the nonconforming property issue in our ordinances as there are so many properties affected. Tania volunteered to check with other townships to see how they handle this problem.

After discussion it was decided not to have B Graham do a full review of the Land Use Plan and Ordinance book at this time.

The next meeting date will be January 14, 2008. Alan made a motion to change the meeting time to 6:00 p.m., Tania supported, motion carried. Clerk to change time on the Hall bulletin board.

Tania made a motion to adjourn, Alan supported, motion carried. Brian adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

_____________________________submitted by Betty Strunk, Recording Clerk

Minutes approved at the _______________________________meeting.