Minutes of the regular meeting of the Georgetown Township Planning Commission, held Wednesday, April 16, 2003

 

Meeting called to order by Chairman Honderd at 7:30 p.m.

 

Present:            Jansma, South, Huizinga, DeGood, Stasiak, Poskey, Honderd

Absent: none

 

#030416-01 - Agenda for April 16, 2003

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by DeGood, to approve the agenda for April 16, 2003, as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#030416-02 - Minutes of the March 19, 2003 regular meeting and the April 2,

2003 work session meeting

 

Moved by Huizinga, seconded by South, to approve the minutes of the March 19, 2003 regular meeting, as submitted.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Moved by South, seconded by DeGood, to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2003 work session meeting, as submitted, with the correction to the first page to change 12,000 and 48,000 to 1,200 and 4,800 under the VanSpronsen site plan.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#030416-03 – Site Plan (ST0304) Mike VanSpronsen (greenhouse)-9651 42nd Ave.

 

The property is located in the AG districts and greenhouses are permitted by right.  Greenhouses are defined as an agricultural use in Sec. 2.3 and are permitted by right under Sec. 6.2(A) and 6.2(F).  In addition, the applicant is asking for a roadside stand, which is defined under Sec. 2.84 as a farm building or structure used for the display or sale of agriculture products grown on the premises upon which the stand is located.  The building is also permitted by right under Sec. 6.2(A).  The applicant has stated that he could possibly sell landscaping materials at the roadside stand.  If anything other than agriculture products grown on the premises is sold, such as landscaping materials, he would have to obtain a temporary use permit for the sale of seasonal products. 

 

Mike VanSpronsen presented the request and stated that the building had been moved to the south due to the electrical lines because it was cheaper to move the building than to move the lines.  The proposed future greenhouse in front was moved to the rear.

 

It was noted that only one sign would be allowed and the applicant indicated that he would like to have the freestanding sign.

 


The chairman opened the floor to public comments.  No one was present to make comments on this topic.  The chairman closed the floor to public comments.

 

A concern was noted that since the roadside stand was 4,800 square feet and 28 parking spaces are available, the applicant would try to sell other items and turn the operation into a commercial building.  It was clarified that only products grown on the premises could be sold on the property and that the building could not be converted to a commercial use.

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by Stasiak, to approve the site plan dated 4-17-03, on the basis that it meets all applicable site plan review and general zoning ordinance requirements, and with the condition that the roadside stand, as defined in the Zoning Ordinance, should be limited to the display or sale of agricultural products on this site and not allow the sale of general retail within this structure as prohibited under the provisions of the district.

 

The applicant stated that it was cheaper to build the bigger building now, than to add on in the future.  He also stated that if he were to sell seasonal products, such as V & V Nursery and Potters on Chicago Dr., he would obtain a Temporary Use Permit.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#030416-04 - Special Use Permit (SUP0302) Panera Bread, MGDF Architects (for Penera

Bread), 104 South Michigan Ave., Chicago, is requesting to have a restaurant, under Sec. 14.3(A), on a parcel of land described as P.P.# 70-14-25-200-018, located at 42 44th St., in a (NS) Neighborhood Service Commercial district

 

The site is in the strip mall on the corner of Kenowa and 44th St. and is the NS district, which requires a special use permit for a restaurant.  The building is existing.  The applicant was informed that consideration would be given to the number of parking spaces required for the restaurant, along with the existing businesses in the mall.  The site plan provides the number of parking spaces required for each business, as well as the number of parking spaces provided.

 

The applicant had been directed to submit a revised plan that provides a streetscape and a clear listing of parking requirements.  He also provided a sheet with parking calculations.

 

Phil O’Connel and Greg Mulhert represented the applicant and presented the request.  The updated plans show the landscaping and provide a streetscape.  In addition, the parking allocations are clearly noted.

 

The chairman opened the public hearing.  No one was present to speak on this topic.  The chairman closed the public hearing. 

 

 

 

Moved by DeGood, seconded by Jansma, to recommend to the Township Board approval of special use permit (SUP0302) Panera Bread, MGDF Architects (for Penera Bread), 104 South Michigan Ave., Chicago, to have a restaurant, under Sec. 14.3(A), on a parcel of land described as P.P. # 70-14-25-200-018, located at 42 44th St., in a (NS) Neighborhood Service Commercial district, on the basis that the request meets the applicable standards of the ordinance.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Moved by DeGood, seconded by Huizinga, to approve the site plan dated 4/9/03, on the basis that all the applicable standards of the ordinance are met.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#030416-05 - Preliminary Plat of Schepers Farm-8100 42nd Ave.

 

Jason VanderKodde, Nederveld Associates, represented the applicant and presented the request.  He stated that the proposed 40 acre plat was in the LDR zone and was surrounded by AG and LDR.  He said that the plat would be served by public utilities and would be developed in three phases, 48 lots in the first phase, 20 lots in the second, and 22 lots in the third.  He said that the plans had been submitted to the Ottawa County Road and Drain Commissions. 

 

The plans have been revised to show correct building envelopes.

 

The chairman opened the public hearing.

 

Chad Jaski, 4033 Hallside, asked about street access.

 

Scott Westra, 4025 Hallside, asked where the north access point for water was located.  He asked about water pressure.

 

Jeff Brewer, 7242 40th Ave., developer, stated that the Township would be closing and opening some valves to increase the water pressure.

 

Scott Westra asked about the easement in phase 2.

 

Chad Jaski asked about storm water.

 

Bob Doornbos, 8295 42nd Ave., asked about the surveying being done on 42nd Ave.

 

Jeff Brewer stated that the Township was installing a forced water main for the ice arena. 

 

Bob Doornbos asked about the surveying of the street.

 

Jeff Brewer stated that the high pressure water would improve 42nd Ave. to Bauer Rd.

 

Scott Westra asked about property elevation and the storm sewer because he was concerned about the storm sewer.

 

The applicant stated that they would be happy to work with the neighbors to establish the grade and to help with storm water.  He stated that the storm water would not be increased onto the neighbor’s property.

 

Ward DeWent, 3950 Bauer Rd., said that he owns the farm on the east side and that there is a natural drain on the northern boundary.

 

The applicant stated that they were not allowed to reduce without the Drain Commissioner’s approval and that they will not cut off the drain.  He said that they could remove or redirect on the Schepers property.

 

Ward DeWent stated that he has problems with construction trash on his property and was told that a property owner is responsible for his property.

 

Scott Westra asked about the square footage of the houses and the applicant stated that they would be the same as the current Brewer Farms.

 

The chairman stated that they had to meet the minimum requirements of the ordinance.

 

The chairman closed the public hearing.

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by DeGood, to recommend to the Township Board approval of phase 1 with the condition that the exception parcels only have access from the proposed Paddock Drive, not 42nd Ave., as they are developed, based on the drawing dated 4/9/03.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by DeGood, to recommend to the Township Board approval of the overall layout of Schepers Farm.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#030416-06 - Other Business-Request to extend site plan ST0202 approval for 6 months

under Sec. 19.5(E)

 

Sec. 19.5(E) allows the Planning Commission to extend site plan approval for 6 months from the one year from the date of approval.  ST0202 was approved April 17, 2002 and must be under construction by April 17, 2003, unless the PC extends the time.  In their letter, the applicants state that the person doing their plans has been in the hospital and they are asking for a time extension.

 

Moved by Poskey, seconded by South, to approve the extension of six months for ST0202 for Den and Doug VanKoevering.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#030416-07 - Discuss ordinances relating to Adult Uses

 

The Planning Commission directed the planner to review the Zoning Ordinance in regards to adult uses, as requested by the supervisor.

 

#030416-08 - Discuss ordinances for signs for special events

 

There was discussion regarding of the current sign ordinance, as requested by the supervisor.  Members of the Planning Commission stated that they believe the current ordinance addresses signs in the way they want it to and that there should be no revisions.

 

Moved by Poskey, seconded by Huizinga, to state that the Planning Commission is not unhappy with the current sign ordinance.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#030416-09 - Adjournment

The chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.