MINUTES
CASCO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 19, 2008

Present:  Members Joe Stevens, Eric Reeve, William Ruemenapp, Wayne Baumgarten, and Mike Czenkus; also  present, Planner David Campbell and a member of the community

Absent:    Kathy McKenzie and Denise Page

  1.    CALL TO ORDER

    The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., by Chairman Ruemenapp.

  2.    PLEDGE TO THE FLAG

    The Pledge to the Flag was recited.

  3.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES - July 15, 2008

    The following corrections were made:

        Page 2, parking ordinance, opening paragraph - delete own and add agriculture to the zoning property allowed

        Fifth paragraph - Planning Commission recommended approval of the Amendments to Zoning Ordinance #30-70 Commercial Vehicle Parking to the Township Board.

        Date of the Meeting needs to be on all pages

    It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Czenkus that the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on July 15, 2008, be approved as amended.

        Ayes:    Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Czenkus
        Nays:    None
        The motion carried.

  4.    APPROVAL OF AGENDA

    It was requested that the following be added to the Agenda:
   
    No. 9, B., Keeping of Animals

    It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Czenkus that the agenda be approved as amended.

        Ayes:  Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Czenkus
        Nays:  None
        The motion carried.

 August 19,2008
 Page 2

5.    COMMUNICATIONS

    There were no Communications.

6.    DISCUSSION FROM THE FLOOR
   
    There was no Discussion From the Floor

7.    PUBLIC HEARING
    A.  PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL

    The Planning Commission and the Township Planner discussed performance standards and bonding in other municipalities.  It was noted that the occupancy permit and ordinance compliance are used to enforce site completion.  It was pointed out that the proposed amendment allows the Township Board to set the amount of a bond and the payment method.

    The Public Hearing was opened at 722 p.m.

    The Planning Commission stated that the intent of the amendment is to take performance standards and bonding amounts out of the ordinance and give it to the Township Board.  Planner Campbell is to check the wording on the amendment to make sure this is clear.

    It was moved by member Baumgarten and seconded by member Czenkus that the Public Hearing be closed and the Planning Commission recommend approval of the Amendments to Article XII General Provisions of Ordinance No. 30, Section 13.20.

        Ayes:  Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Czenkus
        Nays:  None
        The motion carried.

8.    UNFINISHED BUSINESS
   
    There was no Unfinished Business.

9.      NEW BUSINESS
    A.  DISCUSSION ON A WIND ENERGY ORDINANCE

    Planner Campbell presented a proposed wind energy ordinance that Imlay Township is working on.  He stated that     this ordinance covers small individual windmills and not the large commercial ones.

    The Planning Commission and the Township Planner discussed making it a special land use or setting it up like a     building permit.  Noise created by windmills was discussed.  They also discussed wording for no lights on the     structures, what zones they would be allowed in, and height allowed.  The Planning Commission requested Planner     Campbell see if he could obtain an acoustic map of sound decibels created by windmills, give a recommendation     on the commercial aspect, and work up a sample ordinance for the September meeting. 

    B.  KEEPING OF ANIMALS


   August 19,2008
   Page 3

    The Planning Commission and Township Planner discussed the ordinance on keeping of animals.  It was asked if     this could be considered accessory use under industrial zoning.  It was pointed out that there are some residences     grandfathered in industrial areas and it would pertain to them.  The Planning Commission requested the Township     Planner look at the ordinance and see if it needed wording to enforce the concept that principal permitted use     should be in residential and agricultural areas.
   
    10.    PLANNER'S REPORT

    There was no Planner‘s Report

    11.    REPORT FROM COMMITTEES

    It was reported that KMMT had a ribbon cutting ceremony and it was very impressive.  It was stated that they have     about 30 units completed with 9 sold.

    It was reported that this will be member Czenkus‘s last meeting as he will be the new Township Zoning     Administrator.  The Planning Commission thanked member Czenkus for his time and work as a member.

12.    ADJOURNMENT

    It was moved by member Baumgarten and seconded by member Czenkus that the meeting adjourn at 8:27 p.m.

        Ayes:  Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Czenkus
        Nays:  None
        The motion carried.



 

                                                                   



 

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