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Metropolitan Planning Commission Meeting MinutesCALHOUN COUNTY METROPOLITAN PLANNING COMMISSION June 25, 2007 The Regular Session of the Calhoun County Metropolitan Planning Commission convened at 4:00 p.m., Monday, June 25, 2007 in the Planning Office Conference Room, Calhoun County Building, 315 West Green Street, Marshall, Michigan. Roll Call: Present: Comrs. Daniel Kesselring, Dian Schubel, Clarence Millard and Robert Bolton. Temporarily Excused: Comr. Larry Rizor (Arrived at 4:07 p.m.) Absent: Comrs. Becky Rocho and Mike Rae. Also Present: Planning Consultant Jennifer Bomba and Deputy Clerk/Board Aide Mary Lou Barrett. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Planning Consultant Bomba recommended revision to Page 5, First Sentence under Planning Department Activities, changing the period of time since update of Albion Township’s Master Plan from four years to twenty years.
COMMUNICATION: Ms. Bomba presented the June 1, 2007 Address Summary. OLD BUSINESS: Case #05-07-03, Pennfield Township - Regulations on Churches Ms. Bomba advised that she has clarified that the Township’s Zoning Ordinance shall continue to provide for churches as special land uses within the agricultural, rural residential, low density residential, and medium density residential districts; and shall provide for churches as a special land use in the high density residential, and local and community commercial districts.
TOWNSHIP PLANNING AND ZONING COORDINATION: Case #06-07-01, Marshall Township - Master Plan Amendment Ms. Bomba advised that the submittal is from Marshall Township. Ms. Bomba stated that the Township partnered with the City of Marshall to form a joint planning commission to oversee a common growth boundary area. The Marshall Township Board has approved the jointly drafted Future Land Use/Concept Plan for the area for distribution to the surrounding jurisdictions for review and comment as an amendment to the Township’s Master Plan. Ms. Bomba advised that the growth boundary area follows the Marshall City limits to the east and south, and extends west to I-69 and north to I-94, and defines the land classifications including open space/recreation; agricultural/rural residential; low, medium and high density residential; commercial; and industrial. Ms. Bomba pointed out that the proposed Plan provides for a slight increase in high density residential and a change from low density to medium density residential in the area north of Verona Road and west of West Drive; further, that the area currently planned for agricultural uses north of F Drive North is designated as medium density residential with a proposed extension of West Drive to provide access to this area. Ms. Bomba continued that the Plan also provides for an increase in the commercially designated land along Old 27. The area currently planned for as medium density residential between North Kalamazoo Avenue and Old 27 is reclassified as commercial, as well as the low density residential area bordering North Kalamazoo Avenue north of F Drive North. The Plan provides a green belt buffer to be implemented between the commercial and residential uses along this corridor. Ms. Bomba stated that she believes the Plan is a very good collaborative effort and that she is pleased with the highway boundary. Ms. Bomba recommended approval of the Master Plan amendment. Chairperson Schubel inquired whether any comments from the surrounding jurisdictions were received. Ms. Bomba responded that she did not receive any comments. Ms. Bomba advised that the Plan is presently out for comment and that the township is required to hold a public hearing after the comment period expires. Chairperson Schubel noted arrows on the map along Verona Road. Comr. Rizor inquired whether the arrows indicate the extent of where the utilities shall be extended. Ms. Bomba could not explain the nature of the arrows. Comr. Kesselring commented that he hopes the Gerholt property remains undeveloped.
Case #06-07-02, Tekonsha Township - Zoning Map Amendment from Ag-Residential to Commercial Ms. Bomba advised that Tekonsha Township received a request from John and Diane Shreve to rezone property located in Section 19 from ag-residential to commercial. The parcel is approximately three acres and is currently being used for commercial purposes. Ms. Bomba advised that the Equalization Department is assessing the subject property as commercial. Ms. Bomba stated that there is a variety of commercial uses in that area, however, pointed out that the requested rezoning is inconsistent with the Township’s Master Land Use Plan and would result in a spot zoning of commercial in an area classified as ag-residential. Ms. Bomba recommended disapproval of the rezoning request, with the recommendation that the Township Planning Commission review the existing land uses in the vicinity of the subject property and consider the intended future uses for that area.
Brief discussion regarding the commercial development along the M-60 corridor. Case #06-07-03, Tekonsha Township - Zoning Text Amendment Regarding Article 2 General Provisions Ms. Bomba advised that the submittal is from the Tekonsha Township Planning Commission for a text amendment to the Tekonsha Township Zoning Ordinance regarding Article 2, General Provisions. The proposed amendment removes general provision information from the existing text of Article 8 and consolidates it with existing general provision information in Article 2. Ms. Bomba advised that the proposed amendment creates new language defining the official zoning map, interpretation of zoning districts and application of regulations. Ms. Bomba stated that the amendment is pretty much a “housekeeping” issue, and recommended approval of the proposed text amendments.
STAFF COMMENTS: Casino Discussion Ms. Bomba reported that she met with the casino management company for the Tribe last week, and they are starting geo-technical work on the site. Ms. Bomba advised that there is still a pending lawsuit, however, the tribe believes there is precedent that it shall be dismissed or shall be resolved in the their favor. Ms. Bomba continued that while in town, the management company and tribe were to tour the casino being constructed in New Buffalo, which she believes is being built by a construction firm that has also bid on the proposed casino. Agricultural Preservation Board Report Ms. Bomba reported that the Agricultural Preservation Board has processed the PDR applications received. Nine applications were received, of which four have been qualified. Ms. Bomba stated that the Board hopes to move forward and negotiate one or two of the applications, which shall depend upon funding for the match. Ms. Bomba advised that the Board is working hard putting statistics out to keep the public informed, and shall be getting busy preparing for the farm land use tour. Calhoun County Strategic Plan Review and Update Ms. Bomba reported that there was a follow-up meeting conducted this morning regarding the county’s strategic plan review and that it was recommended that the Planning Department be provided more resources and used at a higher potential. Ms. Bomba stated that she believes all seven Commissioners were in attendance. Ms. Bomba advised that the Board of Commissioners will be meeting again to address the Plan’s recommendations. Chairperson Schubel inquired regarding the status of the field trip to Athens. Ms. Bomba responded that she has not heard anything yet, and shall call the tribe again in July. Ms. Bomba stated that she would like to invite some of the Commissioners to attend also. MEMBER COMMENTS: Comr. Kesselring advised that he attended an advanced master citizen planner class that went to an agricultural preservation site in Meridian Township, and to a wetlands storm water treatment management project site. Comr. Kesselring advised that the water treatment site is a 500 acre urban watershed and that some of the cleaned water goes to a golf course. Comr. Kesselring further advised that he attended two courses at which laws and legislation were discussed. Comr. Kesselring stated that the classes were interesting and offered to share the information he received. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Chairperson Schubel announced that the next CCMPC meeting is scheduled for July 23, 2007 at 4:00 p.m. Comr. Bolton advised that he shall not be able to attend as he will be in Chicago. Mary Lou Barrett advised that she will be in Oklahoma. Ms. Bomba advised that she already has three cases, and suggested that perhaps the next meeting be rescheduled. Comr. Kesselring recommended Ms. Bomba record the next meeting. Ms. Bomba stated that she can record the meeting and prepare the minutes or have someone from the Extension Department prepare the minutes. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting adjourned at 5:17 p.m. at the call of the Chairperson.
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