Minutes of the regular meeting of the Georgetown Township Planning Commission, held Wednesday, November 17, 2004

 

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

 

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

Absent: Stasiak

 

#041117-01 - Agenda for November 22, 2004

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by Huizinga, to approve the agenda for November 22, 2004, with the order rearranged. 

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#041117-02 - Minutes of the October 20, 2004 regular meeting and the November 3, 2004

work session meeting

 

Moved by DeGood, seconded by South, to approve the minutes of the October 20, 2004 regular meeting, as submitted.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Moved by South, seconded by DeGood, to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2004 work session meeting, as submitted.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#041117-03 - Preliminary Plat of Cedar Lake Estates No. 11

 

The plat was tabled pending a letter from the developer regarding assurances that 28th Ave. would be constructed.  An agreement was approved by the Board on September 27, 2004; however, the applicant has not accepted the agreement.  No one was present to represent the applicant.  The plat was left tabled.

 

#041117-04 - Preliminary Plat of Unity Timbers

 

Ron VanSingel represented the applicant and presented the request.  The plat is to be developed in two phases, the first having 29 lots.  The plan was revised in accordance with comments made at the work session, including the correct dimensions shown for lot 8 and a new location for the access drive to the lift station.

 

The planner presented a review.

 

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 Poskey, to recommend to the Township Board to grant tentative preliminary plat approval of the overall layout and phase 1 of Unity Timbers, as shown on the drawing dated November 5, 2004. 

 

MOTION CARRIED.

#041117-05 – (PUD0408) Final Development Plan - Unity Timbers-5101 & 5131 40th Ave.

 

Ron VanSingel represented the applicant and presented the request.  The 55 single family homes would be plated and the 70 condo units (in 35 duplexes) would be developed on a public street.  The street has been named to comply with Fire Department requirements.

 

The chairman opened the floor to public comments. 

 

Bill Vandermolen, 4280 Barry, was concerned with the dewatering that would take place for the second phase.  He said that he had a greenhouse and needed the water.  He asked about the time frame.

 

The applicant said that it would take 2 to 3 years and they would be sensitive to the neighbors.

 

Bill Vandermolen asked how far and how long the dewatering would take.

 

The applicant said that it would be determined.

 

The chairman said that the applicant should work with him and that a holding pond might help.

 

Jack Monsma, 4160 Barry, asked who would be financially liable if his well goes dry or is damaged. 

 

The applicant said that at the meetings for the preliminary development plan they had said that the developer would have the financial obligation to the surrounding parcels.

 

Tim Timmer, 4064 Barry, asked about the meeting on Monday because he was unsure of the procedures.  He asked about the path around the pond and was concerned that people would cut through his property to get to the fairgrounds.  He said that the lots stayed the same as the last plan.

 

Ron VanSingel said that there was a natural buffer that would remain and the trail was offset from the edge.  He said that no fence was anticipated.  He said that this was the same as any other situation and if people cut through they would be trespassing.  He said that the path was to be used to get to the open spaces rather than to be used as a short cut to get to other spaces.

 

The chairman closed the floor to public comments.

 

Moved by DeGood, seconded by Jansma, to approve the final development plan for Unity Timbers, as shown on the plan dated November 5, 2004.

 

There was discussion regarding the dewatering and it was noted that the applicant has the responsibility to return the area to its original shape or to run city water to the area.

 

Yeas:    Huizinga, Honderd, Jansma, DeGood, South

Nays:   Poskey

Absent: Stasiak

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#041117-06 - (PUD0407) Arena Development-Final Development Plan for Phase 1

 

Rick Pulaski, Nederveld Associates, represented the applicant and presented the request.  The revised plan reflects the preliminary plan that was approved by the Township Board, including the fact that there was flexibility for the commercial footprints.  The plan shows 11,000 square feet of commercial area, fire hydrants, loading and unloading areas, and dumpsters.

 

The planner presented a review and noted that the access drive should be kept clear for free access to the condominium areas.

 

The applicant said that there were two spots for loading and unloading away from the parking areas.

 

The planner said that these loading and unloading areas should not be in the access drive and that it should be kept clear for free access.

 

The zoning administrator said that a memo had been submitted by the Fire Department stating that the fire hydrant placement shall be approved by the Fire Department.

 

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.

 

Moved by Huizinga, seconded by DeGood, to approve the final development plan for phase 1 for Arena Development, as shown on the revised plan dated November 3, 2004 and the written statement dated November 10, 2004, and with the condition that the access drive be kept free with no loading or unloading.

 

Yeas:    Huizinga, Honderd, Jansma, DeGood, South

Nays:   Poskey

Absent: Stasiak

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#041117-07 - Planned Unit Development (PUD0406) Eastbrook Development Co., 2130

Enterprise, Kentwood, is requesting to have a residential Planned Unit Development, under Chapter 22, on parcels of land described as follows: P.P.# 70-14-04-300-013 (3030 Fillmore), 70-14-04-300-014 (3203 Taylor), 70-14-04-300-015 (3205 Taylor), 70-14-05-400-011 (now -017) (Taylor), 70-14-05-400-012 (Taylor), 70-14-09-100-018 (3210 Taylor), 70-14-09-100-019 (3208 Taylor), 70-14-09-100-022 (3131 Bauer), 70-14-09-100-024 (3034 Taylor), 70-14-09-100-029 (3244 Taylor), 70-14-09-100-030 (3205 Taylor), 70-14-09-100-004 (2999 Bauer)

 

Dale Kraker, Eastbrook Development Co., represented the applicant and presented the request.  He said that he had met with the Ottawa County Road Commission, as directed by the Planning Commission, regarding abandoning Taylor St. as an access to the development at the time that the access becomes available to 36th Ave.  He submitted a letter detailing what was said at the meeting, which is that the Road Commission would make no commitments now, but would evaluate the situation at the time that the request is made and access to 36th Ave. is provided.

 

Revised plans have been submitted addressing the Planning Commission comments as follows:

1.      Additional park area was provided north of the clubhouse and the cul-de-sac in this area has been revised;

2.      Some townhouses have been eliminated near the northwest corner and 60 foot single family lots have been added;

3.      The totals at the lower left corner of the plans reflect the changes;

4.      Two soccer fields have been added in the northwest area and the cul-de-sac near the soccer fields has been reduced.

 

The planner presented a review.

 

The zoning administrator stated that she had spoken with Tom Palarz, Ottawa County Road Commission regarding the possibility of closing access to Taylor from this development when the development has access to 36th Ave.  She reiterated that Tom Palarz had stated that he could not make any decisions now, but would evaluate the situation in the future when access to provided to 36th Ave., if requested by Eastbrook Builders.

 

Honderd said that the lower number of townhouses was okay, but the development is still too dense.  He said that the revisions were good.  He said that the development needed the connection to Taylor, but he was opposed to the construction traffic using Taylor because the residents should not have to put up with the construction trucks.  He said that the construction traffic should use the accesses on Bauer Rd. and 36th Ave.  He said that the applicants would do everything possible to minimize the impact on the residents of this development because they would be Eastbrook’s customers.

 

Poskey abstained from all discussion and voting.

 

DeGood said that the density should be limited to 796 with no possibility of reaching 865.  He said that they should not be allowed to increase the number by another one hundred units.

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by South, to open the floor to public comments.

 

Yeas:    Jansma, South, Huizinga

Nays:   DeGood, Honderd

Abstain: Poskey

Absent: Stasiak

 

It was noted that comments should only be made in regards to something different than was already said.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Nick Allen, 3545 Taylor, asked about the construction traffic using Taylor.

 

The planner said that a construction management plan should be submitted to the Township to have an agreement on file as a condition of approval, which would include hours of operation, traffic access points, and noise and dust/debris mitigation.

 

The chairman said that the access to Taylor could be closed in three years.

 

The zoning administrator said that the Road Commission would evaluate the situation at that time and no commitments could be made for a situation that would occur in the future.  She recommended that the condition of closing access to Taylor not be stated as a condition since it would have to be evaluated in the future.

 

The chairman noted that the condition could be added that the request be made by Eastbrook Development to have access to Taylor St. closed.

 

Ruth Bole, 3361 Taylor, submitted a drawing with the lots larger and redesigned by the Taylor St. access because she did not want the lots to look disconnected in the future if access to Taylor St. was closed.  She asked if the road would be built well or if it would deteriorate.

 

The chairman said that all roads would be built to the Ottawa County Road Commissions standards.  He said that the Road Commission has agreed to deviate from clearing the full 66 foot right-of-way.

 

John Kersaan, 2510 Cedar Lake Rd., asked about the impact on the creek in his back yard.  He asked about a 10 year flood and said that the creek can’t handle more water.

 

The applicant said that the pond sites would handle the storm water and would release a normal flow into the creek.  He said that the berm would also help protect the area.

 

John Kersaan asked if the creek would dry up and the applicant said no.

 

John Bole, 3351 Taylor, thanked the applicant for meeting with the residents and the Road Commission.  He gave a presentation as to why he did not think that the development met sections of the Master Plan.

 

The planner said that the development did meet the specific wording of the text for this area, in addition to providing innovative design, diversity and use of space.  He said that the plan calls for clustered development and for the maintenance and preservation of natural areas.  He said that the street design and layout are the result of working with the natural environment.

 

John Bole said that it violates the Master Plan because of preservation.

 

The chairman said that the Master Plan is used as a tool or a guide.

 

Bill Eling, 3284 Taylor, said that he has 20 acres and his son lives there, too.  He said that he could not build another house because they did not meet zoning requirements and now they were putting houses in that would back up to his gully.  He said that they would be ghetto houses and he did not want them imposing.  He said that they should have to live by the same law.  He said that he wanted it left as it is.  He said that the lady at the Township said that a petition was submitted to the Township to pave the road and that was a few years ago and they did not want it now.

 

Moved by South, seconded by Jansma, to close the floor to public comments.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

The applicant said that he would work with the Township in regards to a construction management plan and that they would be willing to reduce the overall density from 865 to 820.  He said that they wanted the flexibility to change the plan if the market shifts.

 

The planner said that he was still concerned with the northwest section, but it was planned from a cluster standpoint.

 

Moved by Jansma, seconded by Huizinga, to recommend to the Township Board approval of Planned Unit Development (PUD0406) Eastbrook Development Co., 2130 Enterprise, Kentwood, to have a residential Planned Unit Development, under Chapter 22, on parcels of land described as follows: P.P.# 70-14-04-300-013 (3030 Fillmore), 70-14-04-300-014 (3203 Taylor), 70-14-04-300-015 (3205 Taylor), 70-14-05-400-011 (now -017) (Taylor), 70-14-05-400-012 (Taylor), 70-14-09-100-018 (3210 Taylor), 70-14-09-100-019 (3208 Taylor), 70-14-09-100-022 (3131 Bauer), 70-14-09-100-024 (3034 Taylor), 70-14-09-100-029 (3244 Taylor), 70-14-09-100-030 (3205 Taylor), 70-14-09-100-004 (2999 Bauer), Georgetown Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, as shown on the plan dated November 10, 2004, and with the following conditions addressed:

 

1.      Provide off-street pathways throughout the development to provide connections to the open space areas.  Include bridge crossings and other physical improvement measures to provide usable open space areas and create linkages between areas.

2.      Provide a detailed landscape plan which shows perimeter landscaping and/or screening methods along 36th Ave.

3.      Improve Taylor Street according to the standards and requirements of the Ottawa County Road Commission.

4.      Provide a method of management for construction, including hours of operation, traffic access points, noise and dust/debris mitigation, and limiting access to on Bauer Rd. and 36th Ave.

5.      That Eastbrook Development offered to revisit with the Ottawa County Road Commission the option of closing the loop road access connection to Taylor, subject to the support of the majority of the residents of Taylor St.

6.      That the density be reduced to a potential maximum of 825 rather than 865.

7.      That Eastbrook petition the close of the no-name street and change it to a private street.

 

Yeas:    Huizinga, Honderd, Jansma, DeGood, South

Nays:   none

Abstain: Poskey

Absent: Stasiak

 

Jansma said that the conditions should cover the concerns of the residents of Taylor.

 

The chairman said that the zoning administrator could approve the changes in the office.

 

South said that the Master Plan gives direction and that this is a beautiful area.  He said that this was a better development than just subdivisions because there is more control with a PUD.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#041117-08 - Other Business

 

There was discussion regarding the review of ordinance amendments for parking requirements, accessory buildings, signs, and decks.  Since no applications were submitted for December, the consensus was to review and discuss possible ordinance amendments at the work session in December and to cancel the regular meeting in December.

 

#041117-09 – Adjournment

 

The chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:05 p.m.