Regular
Meeting
Monday,
September 10, 2007
Members present: Members
absent: Guests:
Brian Cool, Chair Craig
Wallin, resigned Trevor
Flint, Zoning Admin
Julie Keefer, Vice-chair Pam
Hall
Jerry Kull Robert
Houseman
Tania Hanline Lori
Servello
Keenus Sizemore Brent
Sible
Terry Johnson Howard
Pauley
Betty Strunk, Clerk
Clerk handed Brian a copy of Craig Wallin’s resignation
letter. Just prior to the meeting Brent Sible handed the clerk a letter dated July 9, 2007, from
the law firm of McCurdy & Wotila regarding
Osceola County Building Permit PB16665.
The clerk notified Brian of receipt of the letter.
Brian called the meeting to order at 7:03 p.m.
Motion to approve agenda with the correction of switching
items 3 and 4 was made by Julie, Tania supported. Motion carried.
Motion to accept the minutes of the May 12, 2007 regular
meeting with a spelling correction of “ordinance” on page 2 was made by Julie,
Tania supported. Motion carried.
Motion to accept the minutes of the June 12, 2007 special
meeting with two corrections was made by Tania, Jerry supported. Motion carried. The two corrections were: 1) the date of the
meeting was June 12, not May 12; and, 2) 4th paragraph, sentence 2
should read – These changes may affect existing language or be complete new
additions.
Motion to accept the minutes of the July 16, 2007 public
hearing was made by Tania, Julie supported.
Pam asked if the “note” at the end of the minutes was made before the
meeting was adjourned or after. Tania
and Brian said it was right after the adjournment. Motion carried.
Motion to approve the minutes of the July 16, 2007 special
meeting with two corrections was made by Tania, Jerry supported. Motion carried. The two corrections were: 1) 2nd
paragraph on page 3, demonstrate should have an “s”; and, 2) 3rd
paragraph on page 3, the zip code should be 49655.
Trevor handed out his zoning administrator report and went
over it verbally. Discussion followed. Some points brought up were:
1. Is Allen Dean adding a greenhouse? Trevor stated Allen is adding a greenhouse, the storage building is a separate
building. Allen has received an
application for the storage building but not acted on it yet.
2. Did Allen Dean obtain
a permit to pour the concrete in his pole building as the cost was over
$600.00? Trevor replied, no, a permit is
not needed for the pouring of concrete.
As a result of the ensuing discussion, Trevor decided further research
is needed on what additions/changes need a permit.
3. Brent expressed concern about the amount of
commercial business being done in residential areas. Julie agreed this is a problem the commission
needs to address.
4. Brent stated he feels the most efficient way
for the commission to operate is to read and follow the existing zoning
ordinances. He feels the existing zoning
ordinances are very adequate and cover most situations.
Brian stated reasons he felt the Home Occupation language
needed to be addressed. He feels the
language in the existing ordinances is too restrictive. Discussion followed, some points made were:
1. The existing language is very well worded,
providing protection to neighbors in residential areas.
2. All Home Occupations requests should be
brought before the commission, not be a zoning administrator decision.
Clerk asked Julie to bring before the Township Board the
necessity of copies of all correspondence, permits, applications, etc. of the
Zoning Administrator be given to the Township Clerk
for safekeeping.
Trevor handed out copies of his recommendations for
ordinance enforcement guidelines.
Discussion followed. Julie
suggested Trevor go over the information she gave him regarding this issue and
incorporate appropriate points into his guidelines. Julie asked Trevor bring the amended
guidelines to the Township Board meeting on Wednesday, September 12th.
Trevor handed out copies of his recommendations for an Adult
Business ordinance and went over it orally.
Discussion followed. Trevor will
call our lawyer for legal guidelines regarding this matter and the possible
addition of a new zone.
Julie handed out copies of a sample water withdrawal
ordinance and went over it orally. Julie
requested members go over the information for discussion at a future time. Tania suggested a public meeting to educate
the community regarding water protection.
A motion was made by Jerry to add Terry Johnson to the
agenda as our newest member, Keenus supported.
Motion carried.
Brian read aloud a letter from the legal firm of McCurdy
& Wotila, dated July 9, 2007, in regard to Osceola County Building Permit
PB16665, submitted by Melvin and Betty Byler.
This letter addressed the concerns of Brent Sible and the possibility of
intensive commercial/light industrial in a residential area. Discussion followed.
Lori asked when the Home Occupation language would be next be discussed; Brian replied he would bring additional
information to our next meeting for further discussion.
Julie informed the commission the Township Board would be
holding a special meeting to discuss the Zoning Administrator position. Meeting to be at the
Township/Village hall on September 17, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.
Brian went over the ZBA hearing on the Servello
property. Julie stated the Servello
letter is in the lawyer’s hands, we are waiting for a reply. The point was brought up that since their
land is approximately half an acre, it is not covered as our ordinances specify
land that is a minimum of two acres. It
was decided non-confirming property (i.e., less than two acres) needs to be
addressed.
The Township clerk has informed Betty her position as clerk
is illegal. The position needs to be a
member of the Planning Commission and named as Recording Secretary. Betty is considering applying for the open
position on the board but if not, the commission should be prepared to select a
secretary at the next meeting.
Discussion of signs at 14 Mile. Trevor will make note of the signs that need
repair/removal and notify the owners of what is needed. A suggestion was made to have one large
structure with removable signs for local businesses.
The next meeting will be November 12, 2007, 7:00 p.m. in the
Township/Village hall.
Julie made a motion to adjourn, Jerry supported, motion
carried. Brian adjourned meeting at
10:40 p.m.
_____________________________submitted by Betty Strunk,
Clerk
Minutes approved at the ____________________ meeting.