MINUTES
CASCO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2012
Present Members: Wayne Baumgarten, Stan Pankiewicz, Joe Stevens, Cynthia Goulston, Jennifer Andersen, Eric Reeve.
Also Present: Supervisor Ruemenapp, Rod Arroyo, Mike Cameron.
Absent: Sue Macker.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chairman Reeve.
2. THE PLEDGE TO THE FLAG
The Pledge to the flag was recited.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Stevens indicated he had abstained from the entire November meeting. A motion was made by Member Stevens and seconded by Member Baumgarten to approve the minutes as corrected.
Ayes: Member Baumgarten, Pankiewicz, Stevens, Goulston, Reeve.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
Member Andersen present at 7:03 p.m.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
A motion was made by Member Baumgarten and seconded by Member Reeve to place agenda item 9A in front of 8A.
Ayes: Member Baumgarten, Pankiewicz, Stevens, Goulston, Andersen, Reeve.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
5. COMMUNICATIONS
None.
6. DISCUSSION FROM THE FLOOR
Supervisor Ruemenapp indicated a couple of Members went to the workshop November 29th. Chairman Reeve suggested discussing that at the end of the meeting.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
None.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A) Ordinance Section 13.04 Accessory Buildings – Set Public Hearing
Arroyo updated ordinance from November’s meeting, sent via email, and tried to clarify the provision to indicate no attached or detached accessory building located in the side yard shall exceed 1,500 square foot, and that was the intent. Provisions are the same as talked about in the past and language was added to make it very clear.
Member Stevens requested striking 10E on second page.
Supervisor Ruemenapp clarified it wasn’t the intent that you couldn’t have more square footage of accessory building, but the only limitation was 40%. Attached accessory building couldn’t exceed the square footage of the house and wouldn’t have a problem with that if you said for the side yard accessory building. Average house is 2,200 to 2,500 square foot and have attached or detached garages. It is sum total of both or separate, but shouldn’t say you can’t have more than 2,200 square foot on your property because people have pole barns, RV’s, boats, etc.
Chairman Reeve asked for any comments or questions regarding the proposed ordinance.
Supervisor Ruemenapp asked for a point of clarification. If a house has 1,400 sq. ft. garage on it, can someone put a 1,400 sq. ft. detached garage on the side of the house if they meet setback requirements? Suggested that ordinance say what the intent is or it’s a gray area. Arroyo indicated it says side yard, can have both attached and detached, only one per side yard.
A motion was made by Member Stevens and seconded by Member Goulston to set a public hearing for Ordinance Section 13.04 Accessory Buildings for the January 15, 2013 meeting.
Ayes: Member Andersen, Baumgarten, Pankiewicz, Stevens, Reeve, Goulston.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A) CCI Driveline
Mike Cameron came to the meeting to find out what it’s going to take to be in complete compliance. Cameron indicates he has three employees, himself, his brother and his wife, and business is located at 9568 Marine City Highway and produces custom drive shafts for jobers and also distributors. They deal some with the public, but on a lesser scale. They supply to a distributor who provides drive shafts for NASCAR such as Roush Fenway. They specialize in noise vibration and harmonics. Matt Keselowski recently won the Sprint Cup with one of their drive shafts.
Supervisor Ruemenapp asked Mr. Cameron to come to the meeting. He gave the township a site plan which is a floor plan of the building. They use no lubricants, no drains, strictly a dry system. They were given a zoning compliance form. Currently there is no approved compliance or site plan for CCI Driveline. Township trying to get everyone on 26 Mile Road in compliance with zoning. They weren’t given a package to submit for formal review since business has been there a number of years. Supervisor Ruemenapp believes they’re in compliance and in good shape for what they’re doing.
Arroyo said it’s pretty straight forward, permitted use, existing building, reasonable number of employees. Arroyo thinks they can do what they’re doing and compliance permit can be issued, no further need for action at this point.
Chairman Reeve asked that the minutes reflect that Supervisor Ruemenapp should have them complete the form and have Arroyo review it.
A motion was made by Member Stevens and seconded by Member Baumgarten to approve the zoning compliance permit for CCI Driveline on Marine City Highway.
Ayes: Member Andersen, Baumgarten, Pankiewicz, Stevens, Reeve, Goulston.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
B) Discussion on an Ordinance for Solar Farms
Arroyo indicated the township was approached by a California entity to place a commercial solar farm in the community. Supervisor Ruemenapp was provided with the proposed location of the old Roger McFadden property. Arroyo pulled together other ordinances from around the country, but he hasn’t firmly studied it all and he’s asking for direction from this commission. Ordinance that Arroyo’s reviewed uses four categories, small, medium, large and then very large (more 120 acres). Talks about districts, approval processes, and height and setback requirements. Potential of glare and rain water runoff. The solar panels tilt with the sun and must consider height limitations.
Discussion held regarding financial guarantee such as a bond, removal of panels if no longer in use, etc. Project potentially driven by a grant, which may require more caution. Projects such as these are becoming for advantageous due to federal tax credits. Screening, berms, trees, water retention ponds, security fencing, etc. should be considered. Arroyo suggested a consultant may be needed to address potential glare.
Supervisor Ruemenapp requested a rough draft of an ordinance for the January 15, 2013 meeting.
10. PLANNER’S REPORT
Arroyo doesn’t have a hand out this month. Arroyo has been appointed as an adjunct professor at Wayne State in the graduate program starting in January on land use planning, teaching on Thursday nights. In the past he’s been a guest lecturer at Michigan and Wayne State, but this is the first time teaching a full class.
11. REPORT FROM COMMITTEES
Member Baumgarten attended the workshop at the county on November 29th. Inability to obtain wireless connection in the township was discussed.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Member Baumgarten and seconded by Member Andersen to adjourn at 8:12 p.m.
Ayes: Members Andersen, Baumgarten, Pankiewicz, Stevens, Reeve, Goulston.
Nays: None.
Motion carried.
Wayne Baumgarten, Secretary ________________________________________________________
Chris Ruemenapp, Recording Secretary _________________________________________________