Minutes of the regular meeting of the Georgetown Township Planning Commission, held Wednesday, October 29, 2003

 

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

 

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

Absent: none

 

#031029-01 - Agenda for October 29, 2003

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by DeGood, to approve the agenda for October 29, 2003, as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#031029-02 - Minutes of the September 17, 2003 regular meeting and the October 1, 2003

work session meeting

 

Moved by South, seconded by DeGood, to approve the minutes of the September 17, 2003 regular meeting, as submitted.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by DeGood, to approve the minutes of the October 1, 2003 work session meeting, as submitted, with changes to page 7.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#031029-03 – Unfinished Business Site Plan (ST0313) Randy Rottschafer (Mani’s Photo

Studio)- 612 Baldwin

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by DeGood, to take the item off the table.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Jansma stated that the applicant has submitted an approvable plan that met the requirements of the Planning Commission.  He said that the drive to Meijer was not required.  

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by South, to approve the site plan dated 9/18/03 (received 9/23/03), because it meets the ordinance and Planning Commission requirements.

 

It was noted that the applicant had submitted an email asking to be tabled.

 

The planner stated that the site plan meets all the conditions of the Planning Commission and requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.

 

South stated that the site plan meets all the requirements in the ordinance and everything that the Planning Commission directed.  He said that it would be okay if the


easement with Meijer was obtained, but if it wasn’t obtained, the plan was still a good plan and should be approved.

 

DeGood said that the plan was good and should be approved even if the easement for the drive is not obtained.

 

Jansma said that the plan is good even without the drive to Meijer and that the other two plans submitted by the applicant were contrary to the direction given by the Planning Commission.

 

The chairman said that the request should be tabled if the applicant asked to be tabled, and that there would be no problem acting on the request next month because it would have been on the agenda for the third month.  Huizinga, Stasiak and Poskey agreed.

 

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

 

The planner recommended approval of the site plan dated 9/18/03 (received 9/23/03), with the drive to Meijer conditioned upon the access agreement.

 

Yeas:    South, DeGood, Jansma

Nays:   Honderd, Poskey, Huizinga, Stasiak

 

MOTION DEFEATED.

 

Moved by Poskey, seconded by Stasiak, to table the request.

 

Yeas:    Honderd, Poskey, Huizinga, Stasiak

Nays:   South, DeGood, Jansma

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#031029-04 – Unfinished Business Special Use Permit (SUP0311) Taco Bell (Chicago

Diversified Foods Corp), Richland, MI, is requesting to have a drive-in restaurant, under Sec. 15.3(A), on part of a parcel of land described as P.P.# 70-14-13-400-052, located at 174 Chicago Dr., in a (CS) Community Service Commercial district

 

The applicant asked for the request to be reviewed at the work session.

 

#031029-05 - Site Plan (ST0314) Family Video (Rockford Construction) -1230 Bauer

 

John VanSluten, 2340 Orchard Rd., Toledo, and Tom Amisko, Rockford Construction, represented the applicant and presented the request.  It was noted that revisions had been made as directed by the Planning Commission as follows: the number of parking spaces has been reduced, the building has been moved five feet to the south, greenspace islands have been added, the southern drive has been eliminated, a drive has been added to the east to provide access to the convenience store to the east, and trees have been added.

 

In addition, the planner stated that wheel chocks have been added and the access drive has been better defined.  All the issues raised at the work session have been addressed.

 

It was noted that two light poles are still located in the gas easement and should be removed.

 

The applicant stated that they would be removed and it was noted that sewer lines had already been installed under the gas lines.

 

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

 

The applicant stated that the dumpster would be enclosed and an evergreen screen could be provided.  He stated that they have a national account with Waste Management and they will tell the trash hauler what time to pick up the trash.

 

Moved by Stasiak, seconded by South, to approve the site plan dated October 15, 2003 on the basis that it meets ordinance requirements and that the applicant has provided sufficient documentation for the additional parking.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#031029-06 - Special Use Permit (SUP0306) David Stevens, RV Tech, 2000 Chicago Dr., is

requesting to have an open air business, under Sec. 16.3(H), on parcels of land described as P.P.# 70-14-22-450-010 and 70-14-22-450-009, located at 2000 and 2034 Chicago Dr., in a (HS) Highway Service Commercial District

 

Dave Stevens, RV Tech, presented the request and said that he is in the process of obtaining a DEQ permit.

 

Although a DEQ permit is required, it was noted that the request could be approved with the condition that the DEQ permit is obtained prior to the issuance of a building permit.

 

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

 

Moved by Poskey, seconded by DeGood, to recommend to the Township Board approval of Special Use Permit (SUP0306) David Stevens, RV Tech, 2000 Chicago Dr., to have an open air business, under Sec. 16.3(H), on parcels of land described as P.P.# 70-14-22-450-010 and 70-14-22-450-009, located at 2000 and 2034 Chicago Dr., in a (HS) Highway Service Commercial District, on the basis that the request meets all applicable special use standards.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by DeGood, to approve the site plan dated September 16, 2003, as submitted, with the condition that the special use permit is approved by the Board and that no building permit is issued until the MDEQ permit is obtained.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#031029-07 – Special Use Permit (SUP0312) Fair Haven Ministries (Ken BlauwKamp), 2900

Baldwin, is requesting to have a preschool for 3 and 4 year olds (day care center), under Sec. 8.3(N), on a parcel of land described as P.P.# 70-14-16-300-030, located at 2900 Baldwin, in a (LDR) Low Density Residential District

 

Ken Blauwkamp presented the request.  A variance had been obtained to waive the requirement of an outdoor play area, as required for a special use permit.  It was noted that the use is a preschool, but is defined by the ordinance as a day care center.

 

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

 

Moved by South, seconded by DeGood, to recommend to the Township Board approval of Special Use Permit (SUP0312) Fair Haven Ministries (Ken BlauwKamp), 2900 Baldwin, to have a preschool for 3 and 4 year olds (day care center), under Sec. 8.3(N), on a parcel of land described as P.P.# 70-14-16-300-030, located at 2900 Baldwin, in a (LDR) Low Density Residential District, on the basis that the request meets all applicable special use standards.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Moved by South, seconded by DeGood, to approve the site plan dated August 29, 2003, as submitted, with the condition that the special use permit is approved by the Board.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#031029-08 – Special Use Permit (SUP0313) Alcor, Inc., 742 Chicago Dr., is requesting to have a

building and supply establishment, under Sec. 16.3(D), on a parcel of land described as PP# 70-14-24-100-005, located at 742 Chicago Dr., in a (HS) Highway Service Commercial district

 

The site plan has been revised to address concerns raised at the work session.  There will be a curb cut and the portion of the site used for ingress and egress will be paved.

 

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

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by DeGood, to recommend to the Township Board approval of Special Use Permit (SUP0313) Alcor, Inc., 742 Chicago Dr., to have a building and supply establishment, under Sec. 16.3(D), on a parcel of land described as P.P.# 70-14-24-100-005, located at 742 Chicago Dr., in a (HS) Highway Service Commercial district, on the basis that the request meets all applicable special use standards.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by DeGood, to approve the site plan dated October 15, 2003, as submitted, with the condition that the special use permit is approved by the Board, and with the condition that the existing pavement in the required front yard be removed and replaced with greenspace.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#031029-09 – Other Business (PUD0303)

 

The applicant for PUD0303 has asked for more direction with the development of this site.

 

Comments from the Planning Commission include the following:

 

1.      More detail should be provided in regards to phasing.

2.      Move information should be provided in regards to the live/work use.

3.      A maximum amount of five acres should be used for the neighborhood commercial use, and the amount of retail should be less than proposed.

4.      The commercial area should not be in competition with the commercial on Lake Michigan Dr.

5.      The plan is inconsistent with the 48th Ave. Corridor Study and Plan.

6.      The proposal should show a walkable community with more infill.  The plan, as shown, has a density inconsistent with a walkable community.

7.      The live/work idea is acceptable; however, too much is shown. 

8.      Attached condos are acceptable; however, apartments are not acceptable because the Township does not want to compete with the apartments around the college.  Elevations and floor plans should be provided, and the dwelling units should be provided with attached garages, as required in the ordinance.

9.      The housing should gradually change into more expensive housing.

10.  A minimum of 20% open space should be provided.

11.  No percentage of attached housing would be suggested by the Planning Commission, other than there should be an appropriate mix of attached and detached single family dwellings.

 

#031029-10 - Adjournment

The chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.