Minutes of the work session of the Georgetown Township Planning Commission held Wednesday, January 7, 2004

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Honderd at 7:30 p.m.

 

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

Absent: none

 

The work session, which formulated the agenda for January 21, 2004, included the following items to be placed on the agenda, discussion, and action:

 

I.                    Approval of agenda

 

II.                 Approval of minutes of the December 17, 2003 regular meeting and the January 7, 2004 work session meeting

 

III.       Unfinished Business

 

A.     (PUD0303) Arena Development LLC, 2551 VanOmmen Dr., Holland, is requesting a Planned Unit Development for a mixed use development with various types of residential housing and various commercial uses, under Chapter 22, on a parcel of land described as PP#70-14-07-100-012, located at 8658 48th Ave.

 

Rick Pulaski, Nederveld Associates, Inc., represented the applicant and presented the request.  He stated that two plans had been submitted.  The first plan shows 150 residential units and two live/work units, and the commercial area reduced to 60,000 square feet.  He said that the goal had been to create a village-like feel that was very walkable with over one mile of sidewalks.  He said that the parks provided meaningful destinations, with some space for active use and other for passive use.  He said that shade trees had been incorporated in the open space.  He said that garages were attached to the backs of the buildings and the front areas were  open spaces.

 

He said that an alternate plan had been submitted, showing the same amount of commercial as before with 109,000 square feet.  He said that the two plans allowed for flexibility in terms of the market demand.  He said that there would be two conditions, one that the commercial area was 75% filled and the other that the residential was 50% or greater filled.  He said that they wanted to avoid the situation of one user and still having one user ten years down the road.

 

The planner stated that the applicants had made an effort to work toward meeting the desires of the Planning Commission; however, some issues still existed.  The residential density is still higher than allowed by the Master Plan and the decision had to be made as to what level of density was acceptable.  He also stated that even though it could be stated that the condos would be owner occupied, they could still be rented out.  There was also a concern that there was still a significant amount of commercial proposed that would impact other areas.  It was noted that the proposal has a more regional flair, and there were still questions even though the market study may indicate that more commercial could be handled.

 

A list of uses that were acceptable, as well as unacceptable, was requested.

 

There was a concern noted that the overall density was not consistent with the Master Plan and there would be too much commercial space.  It was also noted a decel lane should be provided.

The Planning Commission directed that the public hearing not be advertised until a plan was available for the public to view.

 

B.                 Site Plan (ST0313) Randy Rottschafer (Mani’s Photo Studio)- 612 Baldwin

 

Randy Rottschafer had submitted a letter for the last meeting asking to be left tabled until the January 21, 2004 meeting. 

 

IV.       New Business

A.                 Site Plans-none

 

B.         Public Hearings

1.                  Special Use Permits

a.         (SUP0401) Jerry Glashower, 3005 Fillmore, is requesting to have a building equipment and supply establishment (for waterproofing for walls), under Sec. 16.3(D), on a parcel of land described as P.P.# 70-14-13-300-048, located at 672 Chicago Dr., in a (HS) Highway Service Commercial district

 

Randy Feenstra, Feenstra and Associates, Inc., represented the applicant and presented the request.  The proposal is to expand an existing structure.  The applicant was directed to provide a streetscape that meets the ordinance, a note that sidewalks will be provided according to Township ordinances, and delineate parking spaces and aisle ways.

 

The Planning Commission directed that the application be advertised for a public hearing for the next meeting.

 

                              2.         Rezonings-none

3.             PUDs-none

4.             Plats-none

5.         Ordinance Amendments-none

                        6.         Master Plan-hold a public hearing on Jan. 21, 2004

 

A public hearing has been advertised for the Master Plan for January 21, 2004. 

 

#040107-01 - Other Business-Election of Officers

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by South, to elect the officers as follows: Honderd, Chairman; Jansma, Vice-Chairman; and Huizinga, Secretary.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

VI.       Commissioner Comments

VII.      Staff Comments

VIII.         Adjourn

 

The meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.