Regular Meeting
Monday, March 12, 2007
Members present: Members
absent: Guests:
Brian Cool, Chair Chuck Peterson, un Trevor
Flint, Zoning Admin
Julie Keefer, Vice-chair Craig Wallin, ex Allen Dean
Jerry Kull Keenus
Sizemore
Tania Hanline Karen
Cool
Betty Strunk, Clerk
Brian called the meeting to
order at 7:05 p.m.
Motion to accept the minutes
of the September 11, 2006, regular meeting was made by Julie, Tania
supported. Motion carried.
Motion to approve agenda was
made by Julie, Jerry supported. Motion
carried.
Trevor handed out copies of
the Zoning Administrator’s report. He
then went over it verbally. Discussion
followed. Trevor said he was holding off
on the Bates situation as the property is in foreclosure and the bank is trying
to get rid of the storage semis.
Trevor handed out copies of
his research on the new ZEA. Asked it be
studied by commission members and any comments brought back for discussion at
the next meeting. Discussion followed.
Trevor was asked to put section numbers and page numbers where the new ZEA
information can be located in our existing ordinance. The revised information will be handed out at
the next meeting.
It was suggested to invite
the ZBA members to our next meeting so they can learn more about the new
ZEA. Clerk will extend this invitation
and notify members they will be paid $40.00 for the meeting (cleared with the
township supervisor). The ZBA members
are Linda Johnson, Howard Wright and Chuck Peterson. Alternate is Pia Krawciw.
Allen Dean expressed concern
about the possibility of a wetland ordinance and/or a wind tower
ordinance. He felt a great deal of
community input needs to be gathered along with legal advice. Allen feels the DEQ and DNR have the
situation covered. He suggested we need
to include farmers in particular as to any actions we may be considering. Julie stated education is always our first
concern and the commission is always trying to work with the community and keep
them informed of our plans/actions.
Brian handed out information
on Citizen Planner Courses available online, again stressing how important
ongoing education is to commission members.
He noted the Township would pay for the course(s).
Julie gave each commission
member a copy of “Public Service Values” guidelines. This paper covers such topics as:
trustworthiness, fairness, responsibility, compassion, loyalty, respect and the
importance of public perception.
Julie made a motion that
Brian contact MSU in regard to giving a program dealing with land protection
tools. Jerry supported, motion
carried. We discussed notifying other
townships/communities to share in this meeting.
Julie and Tania have been
gathering information regarding an ordinance for Adult Business operations in
our township. Julie passed out three
articles pertaining to this matter and requested members look them over for
discussion at the next meeting. Discussion
followed. One important fact noted was
we cannot be exclusionary. Trevor volunteered
to figure distances from local churches, schools, residences, etc. with the
goal in mind of where such a business could be located.
A recreation committee
report was given by Julie. At this time
the township does not need a “recreation plan” as grant money is available from
various sources without one. Discussion
followed. It was brought up we need to
get people involved and to find out if the community is interested in a
recreation program.
Julie showed the commission
a copy of “What You Can and Cannot Do With
Ordinances”. This was put out by MTA and
covers procedures for adoption and enforcement of township ordinances in
Keenus Sizemore expressed an
interest in becoming a planning commission member.
Brian handed out copies of
his year-end report and went over it verbally.
Discussion followed.
Commission member, Julie
Keefer, made a resolution that meeting dates for the coming year be as follows:
May 7, 2007 Regular
meeting
June
25, 2007 Special hearing re:
adoption of new ZEA laws to our ordinances
September 10, 2007 Regular
meeting
January 14, 2008 Regular
meeting
March 10, 2008 Regular
meeting
Meetings will be held at
7:00 p.m. at the LeRoy Village/Township Hall.
The resolution passed with
the following roll call vote:
“aye” – four (4) votes – Jerry,
Tania, Julie, Brian
“nay” – zero (0) votes
Trevor was asked to check
with the MTA attorney regarding two legal issues.
Julie made a motion to
adjourn, Jerry supported. Motion
carried.
Brian adjourned the meeting
at 9:15 p.m.
_____________________________submitted
by Betty Strunk, Clerk
Minutes approved at the
____________________ meeting.
Note: Found out at a later time that our 2nd
alternate to the ZBA is Matt Sallee.