MINUTES
CASCO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 15, 2006

Present:   Members Kathy McKenzie, Eric Reeve,  William Ruemenapp, 
Wayne Baumgarten, and Denise Page; also present Township Planner 
Wenk, Jason Rewalt, John Monte, Gary Lavolette, and Greg Lavolette

Absent:    Joe Stevens and Mike Czenkus

  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 18, 2006

	It was moved by member Reeve and seconded by member Page that the 
minutes of the Regular Meeting 	held on July 18, 2006, be approved as presented.

		Ayes:	Members McKenzie, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page
		Nays:	None
		The motion carried.

  4.	APPROVAL OF AGENDA

	It was moved by member McKenzie and seconded by member Page that the 
agenda be approved as submitted. 

		Ayes:  Members McKenzie, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page
		Nays:  None
		The motion carried.

5.	COMMUNICATIONS

	A copy of a letter addressed to Sue Coppens from the Michigan 
Department of Agriculture about a possible future model zoning ordinance for 
agricultural tourism was presented.

	A copy of a review of the by-laws of the St. Clair Condominium Storage 
Facility from the Township Attorney was presented.

	A letter from the DEQ on the wetlands on Frank's Transmission's 
property was presented.
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												Page 2
	
  6.	DISCUSSION FROM THE FLOOR

	Gary Lavolette stated that they are considering renting out the 
conference room at Rickert's Auto Glass 	for office space.  He asked what 
needed to be done to allow them to do this.  He also stated that they 	
would like to change their sign to have room for a tenant's name at the 
bottom of the sign.

	After discussion the Planning Commission stated that they would need 
to do the following:

	Get a letter from the Department of Health stating their septic 
system would support additional people.

		Review the township ordinances to see if they would have sufficient 
parking spaces.

		Check the township ordinances for sign and message board regulations.

		Submit a new site plan, signed by an engineer, showing the proposed 
office space to the township offices 15 days before a scheduled Planning Commission meeting.


  7.	PUBLIC HEARING

	There was no Public Hearing.
		
  8.	UNFINISHED BUSINESS
	A.  REWALT FUNERAL HOME - REVISED SITE PLAN

	Planner Wenk stated that they are recommending approval of the second 
amended site plan after consideration of the following:

		5.  A Planning Commission waiver will be required to allow the 
Applicant to exceed the minimum parking space requirements by greater than 20 percent.

		Planner Wenk stated that the Planning Commission had approved 102 
parking spaces or 138 parking spaces if there is a Phase II in March, 2006.  She also stated that the new plan has 			changed the numbers to 
100 parking spaces or 137 parking spaces if there is a Phase II.

		6.  Dimensions should be added verifying that the Phase II parking 
spaces will be setback 10 feet from the west property line and 
five feet from the south property line.

		Mr. Monte stated that there would be no problem with this.

		7.  The lighting plan should be revised as follows:
										August 15, 2006
												Page 3
	
			*  Verification should be provided that there will be no light trespass onto
			     adjacent property to the west (zoned R-1) or adjacent property to the north
			     (current use is residential);
			*  Information should be added verifying that fixtures will be full cut-off; and
			*  A statement should be added that the requirements of Zoning Ordinance
			    Section 13.09 Exterior Lighting will be met.

		Mr. Monte stated that there will be no problem with this.

		8.  A landscape plan demonstrating compliance with the Township's 
Zoning Ordinance, including greenbelt planting and parking lot landscaping requirements, must be submitted.
Mr. Monte presented a landscape plan.

		Planner Wenk stated that she would need time to study the plan to see 
if it meets township requirements.

		9.  A note or other verification should be added to the plans that 
Section 13.10 Corner Clearance will be met.

		Mr. Monte stated that there will be no problem with this.   

	It was suggested that a note be added to the site plan indicating the 
drainage plan included Phase II.

	It was moved by member Reeve and seconded by member Baumgarten that 
the Rewalt Funeral Home - Revised Site Plan be approved subject to Planner's review.

		Ayes:  Members McKenzie, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page
		Nays:  None
		The motion carried.

	B.  DRAFT AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 13 (ACCESSORY BUILDINGS IN FRONT YARD)
Planner Wenk presented proposed amendments to Zoning Ordinance Article 13.

	After a review of the amendments, it was the consensus of the Planning 
Commission that the following changes be made:

		2.  A detached accessory building may be erected in any front yard 
provided it is setback at least six hundred and sixty (660) feet from the front lot line.

											August 15, 2006
												Page 4
		6.  Change 30 feet back to 100 feet.

		7.  Detached accessory buildings shall not exceed the maximum height specified in Section 12.03. 

	It was moved by  member Baumgarten and seconded by member Page that a 
Public Hearing be held at the September 19, 2006, meeting to discuss the proposed amendment to 
Zoning Ordinance Article 13 (Accessory Buildings in Front Yard).

		Ayes:  Members McKenzie, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page
		Nays:  None
		The motion carried.

9.	NEW BUSINESS

	There was no New Business
	
10.	PLANNER'S REPORT 

	Planner Wenk presented a copy of a communication to the Casco Township 
Board outlining Zoning 	Ordinance sections in need of amendment and the 
cost to develop first drafts, incorporation of comments received from the Planning Commission and Township Attorney, and development of final 
drafts for public hearings on these sections.

	It was asked if Planner Wenk had received a light cut sheet from Corn Fun Family Farm.

	Planner Wenk reported that she had not received the light cut sheet yet.

11.	REPORT FROM COMMITTEES

	It was reported that two court dates have been set for the compost 
site court cases.  One is for the ZBA decision, and one is for the 
injunction.

	It was reported that Rondigo LLC has purchased Blue Star.
	
12.	ADJOURNMENT

	It was moved by member Baumgarten and seconded by member McKenzie that 
the meeting adjourn at 	8:25 p.m.

		Ayes:  Members McKenzie, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page
		Nays:  None
		The motion carried.



 

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