DRAFT
MINUTES
CASCO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
AUGUST 16, 2011
Present: Members Joe Stevens, Eric Reeve, William Ruemenapp, Wayne Baumgarten, and Susan Macker; also present Township Planner Rod Arroyo, Scott Hampel, and Eric Quint
Absent: Member Jennifer Andersen
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 19, 2011
It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Reeve that the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on July 19, 2011, be approved with the following correction:
Page 2, the last sentence: A letter was read from Tracey McFadden stating she felt the composting would be harmful and wrong and she strongly opposes approval because of the following reasons:
was changed to: A letter was read from Tracey McFadden stating he felt the composting would be harmful and wrong and he strongly opposes approval because of the following reasons:
Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Macker
Nays: None
The motion carried.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was requested that No. 9 be moved between Nos. 7 and 8.
It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Macker that the agenda be approved as amended.
Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Macker
Nays: None
The motion carried.
5. COMMUNICATIONS
DRAFT August 16, 2011
Page 2
A letter to Don Watchowski, Richmond High School Assistant Principal, thanking him for his assistance at the July 19, 2011, meeting was read.
6. DISCUSSION FROM THE FLOOR
There was no Discussion From The Floor.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
There was no Public Hearing.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. AIR ADVANTAGE LLC - SITE PLAN - SET PUBLIC HEARING
Planner Arroyo recommended approval of the special land use and site plan subject to the following items being addressed:
The applicant should clarify how access is maintained to the proposed equipment cabinet, given the proposed location of the LP tank.
It was stated that other companies had build a masonry wall around the tank to protect it.
It was established that the LP tank will be a 100 pound tank. Mr. Hampel stated that he would check with the engineers.
Wireless communication facilities must comply with applicable federal and state standards relative to the environment effects of radio frequency emissions. The applicant should add a note to the site plan stating that this requirement will be met.
A note should be added to the site plan indicating that there will be no outdoor storage of equipment and/or materials, except that which is necessary for emergency repairs.
Planner Arroyo stated that they could also indicate screening if equipment and materials will be stored outdoors.
Prior to final stamping, the applicant should provide an affidavit verifying that if the wireless communication facility is dormant for a period of 180 days, it will be removed. The applicant should demonstrate that adequate provision for removal has been made. In additional the application should include a description of security (in the form of cash, surety bond, letter of credit, or an agreement in a form approved by the Township Attorney and recordable at the Register of Deeds) to be posted at the time of receiving a building permit to ensure removal of the facility or equipment in a timely manner when it has been abandoned or is no longer needed. A copy of the applicant‘s lease agreement with American Tower may be sufficient if it includes provisions for removal of equipment upon cessation of use.
DRAFT August 16, 2011
Page 3
A performance guarantee is required for proposed site improvements (if any) in accordance with Section 13.20 of the Zoning Ordinance.
Mr. Hampel asked if the performance guarantee would be needed upon request of a township permit, or when the work was completed.
Planner Arroyo stated that it should accompany the permit application.
It was asked if the tower could physically handle a fifth company as it was originally approved for equipment for four companies.
It was noted that there was a communication from the engineers stating that the tower could handle the requirements for a fifth company.
It was requested that a note be added to the site plan stating they would not place any lights on the tower.
Mr. Hampel stated that he would meet with the engineers on the concerns discussed.
It was moved by member Reeve and seconded by member Stevens that a Public Hearing be set for the Regular Meeting on September 20, 2011, for the Air Advantage LLC - Site Plan Request.
Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Macker
Nays: None
The motion carried.
Scott Hampel left the meeting at 740 p.m.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. GUN SALES IN INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS
B. GUN SALES IN BUSINESS DISTRICTS
Planner Arroyo presented proposed changes to Sections 10.02 and 8.03 regarding gun sales and indoor and outdoor gun ranges in industrial and general business districts.
The proposed changes were discussed with additional changes as follows:
In Section 10.02: Add No. 7. A review by an expert consultant stating that the facility meets all requirements and safety issues must be obtained at the applicants expense for indoor shooting ranges.
In Section 10.02: Change the language to gun and firearms sales and/or indoor gun range.
In Section 8.03: Gun sales to be a principal permitted use, indoor shooting ranges to be a special land use with the section on using a consultant at applicant‘s expense added.
DRAFT August 16, 2011
Page 4
Planner Arroyo recommended a Public Hearing be set to discuss the proposed changes, because they are substantially different than the ones discussed at the last Public Hearing.
It was discussed that in the ROS district, a hunt club was allowed as a Special Land Use requiring 20 acres. The question was raised that since there is no definition for a hunt club in our ordinance, are guns allowed the same as a gun club which requires 80 acres. The Planner said this was not the case, and the language should be clarified. He recommended this be done at a Public Hearing.
It was moved by member Baumgarten and seconded by member Stevens that a Public Hearing be set for the Regular Meeting held on September 20, 2011, to discuss proposed ordinance changes to Sections 10.02 and 8.03 on Gun Sales in Industrial Districts and Gun Sales in Business Districts and Section 9.03 on hunting clubs in ROS.
Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Macker
Nays: None
The motion carried.
10. PLANNER'S REPORT
Planner Arroyo presented copies of The Precious Metal and Gem Dealer Act, Act 95 of 1981. It was stated that the City of Richmond and Lenox Township have ordinances covering this. A copy of Lenox Township‘s ordinance was presented.
It was stated that Supervisor Holk would like to make this a township ordinance. Planner Arroyo stated that he thought a township ordinance with a permit would be the best way to handle the situation as Section 3 (1) states that a permit is needed issued by a local government or a local police agency.
It was asked if St. Clair County or a policy agency issues these permits.
Mr. Quint stated that Adair Salvage was told it was up to the local township to issue a permit.
Planner Arroyo stated that he would draft and send a form for a township ordinance to the Township Board.
It was suggested that it be recommended to the Township Board that a one-time permit fee be issued instead of an annual fee.
When asked, Planner Arroyo stated that he would furnish a corrected page to the by-laws with the change approved by the Planning Commission.
11. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
It was reported that Empty Pockets Farm has a court date for September 2, 2011, to discuss their situation.
DRAFT August 16, 2011
Page 5
12. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by member Baumgarten and seconded by member Macker that the meeting adjourn at 8:02 p.m.
Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Macker
Nays: None
The motion carried.
|
|