July

MINUTES

CASCO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

REGULAR MEETING

JULY 21, 2009

Present: Members Kathy McKenzie, Joe Stevens, Eric Reeve, Wayne Baumgarten, Jennifer Andersen, and Denise Page; also present, Planner David Campbell, Gerald Parylo, and Bob Przybylo

Absent: Member William Ruemenapp

1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m., by Vice-Chairman Reeve.

2. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: The Pledge to the Flag was recited.

3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JUNE 16, 2009: It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member McKenzie that the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on June 16, 2009, be approved as presented. Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Page. Nays: None. The motion carried.

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was moved by member McKenzie and seconded by member Stevens that the agenda be approved as submitted. Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Page. Nays: None. The motion carried.

5. COMMUNICATIONS: There were no Communications.

6. DISCUSSION FROM THE FLOOR: There was no Discussion From The Floor. ( William Draves entered the meeting at 7:03 p.m.)

7. PUBLIC HEARING

A. VERIZON WIRELESS - SPECIAL LAND USE: (Adam Janusch entered the meeting at 7:04 p.m.) The Public Hearing was opened at 7:04 p.m.

Planner Campbell stated that they are recommending approval if the applicant provides a letter from the St. Clair County Drain Commission stating that they have no concerns regarding runoff from the gravel surface relative to the adjacent County drain (Swan Creek). This communication from the Drain Commission would meet the intent of the requirement for a Drainage and Grading Plan. He also stated that if the applicant cannot obtain such verification at this time, the Planning Commission could consider approving the site plan subject to receipt of approval from the County Drain Commission. Mr. Przybylo stated that he had talked with Chuck Wood at the St. Clair County Drain Commission and hoped to have a letter from them next week stating a drainage and grading plan is not necessary. Vice-Chairman Reeve stated that the Planning Commission has approved site plans and special land uses with a contingency that necessary information would be presented to the Township Planner. Member Stevens asked if they would need a building permit. Mr. Przybylo stated that they would. Member Stevens stated that they would need the letter from the Drain Commission before they could get a building permit. Mr. Przybylo stated that they want to build a wireless tower and that their site plan meets all ordinance requirements except for drainage approval, and they are working with the County to get that. Member Baumgarten asked if they had an agreement with Perch Point if something happens to their equipment. Mr. Przybylo stated that they have been assured that no one will shoot at the tower. Planner Campbell stated that there is a clause stating that if a person is working on the tower, the shooting range will be closed. Mr. Draves asked if cell phone towers kill bees. Mr. Przybylo stated that he had not heard that. Mr. Draves stated that he heard microwaves from the towers confuse the bees and they cannot find their way home. He stated that he is a farmer and needs the bees to propagate his crops.Mr. Przybylo stated that they do environmental reviews and nothing like that had ever come up. Member Reeve stated that he had never heard anything about towers and bees. Mr. Draves stated that the bee population has been declining. He said he had read that if the bees disappeared, civilization would be dead within six years.It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Page that the Public Hearing be closed at 7:24 p.m. Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Page Nays: None. The motion carried. It was moved by member Page and seconded by member Stevens that Verizon‘s Site Plan and Special Land Use be approved contingent on the following: Verizon providing a letter to the Township from the St. Clair County Drain Commission stating that no drainage plan is needed. Township Planner approval Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Page. Nays: None. The motion carried.

Mr. Parylo stated that the State of Michigan is conducting a study on what is killing the bees.

Mr. Janusch stated that Penske has pulled his franchise so he no longer needs the special land use for that. He stated that the engineers are working on legal descriptions for the three parcels of property as requested. He also stated that the one sticking point is the RV sales. He said he still feels it should be grandfathered in and pointed out that the township had approved a license for them. He also said he is aware that he needs to supply a drainage permit. The Planning Commission asked Mr. Janusch if had taken out two requests for special land use. He stated that he was sure he had taken out two, and one was for Penske trucks.The Planning Commission suggested Mr. Janusch go the next Township Board meeting, tell them that he had lost his franchise for Penske trucks, and ask for a refund of the cost to request a special land use.The Planning Commission, the Township Planner, and Mr. Janusch discussed grandfathering the RV business but did not come to any agreement. Mr. Janusch stated that has been trying to work with the township as no one wants to go to court over this. Planner Campbell stated that if Mr. Janusch wants to request a Special Land Use, he could not recommend setting a Public Hearing until he had received updated legal descriptions. Mr. Janusch said he is having the legal descriptions cleaned up and will get the information to Planner Campbell.

8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A. DISCUSSION OF SIGN ORDINANCE:

Planner Campbell presented proposed changes to the sign ordinance. The Planning Commission and Planner Campbell discussed the proposed changes. It was requested that tower signs at shopping centers be required to display their address. It was requested that Section 1308.10 be changed to 50% of a window could be covered. It was decided that the Planning Commission and Planner Campbell would do research on the size of establishments that can put signs on a multi-tenant sign. It was the consensus of the Commission that they did not want tall signs by the freeway in the township. It was moved by member Page and seconded by member Stevens that discussion on changes to the sign ordinance be tabled until the August 18, 2009, meeting. Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Page. Nays: None. The motion carried.

9. NEW BUSINESS: There was no New Business.

10. PLANNER'S REPORT :There was no Planner‘s Report

11. REPORT FROM COMMITTEES

It was reported that the Township Board was still sticking to their Master Plan on the Sattler request. It was stated that the County Planning Commission minutes did not give details on the discussion at the meeting, so they were not very helpful. It was also stated that our attorney and their attorney are still talking. It was reported that Kelly Osterman from Richmond had attended the Township Meeting. She made a presentation on a program they are setting up for the youth in Richmond. She asked for funds from the township and in return all residents of Casco would be able to take advantage of activities for the youth and/or adults put on through this program. It was stated that the Township Board is considering giving them $75,000 from the township‘s park and rec funds. The amount of money being considered and what the township would get for it was discussed.

12. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by member Baumgarten and seconded by member Andersen that the meeting adjourn at 8:30 p.m. Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Page. Nays: None. The motion carried.