July

DRAFT MINUTES CASCO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING JULY 18, 2006 Present: Members Kathy McKenzie, Joe Stevens, Eric Reeve, William Ruemenapp, Wayne Baumgarten, and Denise Page; also present Township Planner Wenk, Ray Hodges, James Ewald and Susan Coppens Absent: 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 - June 20, 2006 It was moved by member Page and seconded by member Baumgarten that the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on June 20, 2006, be approved as presented. Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page Nays: None The motion carried. 4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member McKenzie that the agenda be approved as submitted. Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page Nays: None The motion carried. 5. COMMUNICATIONS A letter from the Drain Commission was presented stating that Rickert's Auto Glass‘s detention pond was approved. A communication was presented on ZBAs and use variances. It was noted that Casco Township does not allow use variances. DRAFT July 18, 2006 Page 2 A letter from the Drain Commission was presented stating that Rewalt's Funeral Home's plan had been approved. 6. DISCUSSION FROM THE FLOOR There was no Discussion From the Floor 7. PUBLIC HEARING A. CORN MAZE AND U-PICK PUMPKINS AGRITAINMENT FARM SPECIAL LAND USE AND SITE PLAN The Public Hearing was opened at 7:06 p.m. Ms. Coppens presented a letter from the Teltow family stating they had no objections to the special land use. It was asked how many people were expected daily. Ms. Coppens stated that they were figuring on a maximum of 30 cars at a time with about 100 people daily. It was asked if the Health Department had been contacted. Ms. Coppens stated that the Health Department said there would be no problem serving food that is prepackaged, and approved the number of port-a-johns they were planning on using. Mr. Ewald stated that he had a meeting with the EMS this week to discuss their operation and had contacted the Ira Fire Department who said they had no problem with the gravel driveway. When asked about lighting, Mr. Ewald stated they would be renting portable lights. When asked about a generator Mr. Ewald stated they would have one gas generator for the tent area, and it would be stored in the pole barn. It was pointed out that the site plan should show where gas for the generator would be stored. When asked about buses, Ms. Coppens stated that if there are any buses, they would be parked in the driveway of the house. When asked about a camper, Ms. Coppens stated they are not planning on having a camper on the site, and any employees staying over would stay at the house. DRAFT July 18, 2006 Page 3 When asked what would happen if there is a lot of rain, Mr. Ewald stated they would shut down or gravel the parking lot. It was moved by member Page and seconded by member McKenzie that the Public Hearing be closed at 7:17 p.m. Items of concern at the June meeting were discussed. Planner Wenk recommended that the Planning Commission approve the special land use and site plan subject to Planner review and cut sheets for the lights being provided. It was stated that there had been no second review of the site plan, and Mr. Ewald and Ms. Coppens could request a refund of this fee it it had been paid. It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member McKenzie that the Corn Maze and U-Pick Pumpkins Agritainment Farm Special Land Use and Site Plan be approved pending descriptions of the portable lights and Planner review. It was asked if substantial changes were made to the types of entertainment being offered, would they have to come back to the Planning Commission. It was stated that if substantial changes were being planned, a new special land use would have to be approved. It was asked who would pay if the additional traffic caused problems with the roads. It was stated that the road in front of the site was paved and Church Road is a county road so the county would have to take care of any problems. Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page Nays: None The motion carried. B. AMENDMENTS TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 13 (ELIMINATE 370' MAXIMUM FRONT SETBACK), ARTICLE 10 (FARM MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT SALES IN IND), AND ARTICLE 8 (GAS STATIONS AND AUTO REPAIR IN B-1) Mr. Ewald and Ms. Coppens left the meeting at 7:43 p.m. The Public Hearing was opened at 7:44 p.m. Planner Wenk stated that the amendment to Article 13 would eliminate the graphic that displays a 370' DRAFT July 18, 2006 Page 4 maximum front setback for single family homes, which is erroneous and does not reference any current Zoning Ordinance standard. Planner Wenk stated that the amendment to Article 10 will eliminate ambiguity by removing farm machinery and equipment sales from the list of principal permitted uses in the industrial district. She also stated the use would then fall into the category of retail uses with an industrial character in terms of their outdoor storage requirements, which are permitted as a special land use in the district. Planner Wenk stated that the amendment to Article 8 will eliminate ambiguity and proposes to classify motor vehicle fueling stations (i.e., gas stations) as a principal permitted use and auto service centers (auto repair shops) as a special land use in the B-2 district. It was moved by member Page and seconded by member McKenzie that the Public Hearing be closed at 7:47 p.m. Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page Nays: None The motion carried. Planner Wenk recommended that the Planning Commission recommend the amendments to the Township Board for approval. It was moved by member Page and seconded by member McKenzie that the amendment to Article 13 (eliminate 370' maximum front setback), Article 10 (farm machinery and equipment sales in industrial), and Article 8 (gas stations and auto repair in B-2) be recommended for approval to the Township Board. Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page Nays: None The motion carried. 8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS A. DRAFT AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 13 ACCESSORY BUILDINGS IN THE FRONT YARD) Planner Wenk presented a draft amendment. She stated that typically, communities do not permit detached accessory buildings in front of residences except for unusual circumstances. The Planning Commission and Planner Wenk discussed possible problems with allowing accessory buildings in front of residences and the proposed change from 100' to 30' between these buildings. It was decided that Planner Wenk would contact the Health Department to see if there would be any problems putting an accessory building such as a barn 30 feet from a residence. DRAFT July 18, 2006 Page 5 It was also decided that the Ira Fire Department would be contacted to see if there would be a problem putting an accessory building 30 feet from a residence. It was decided that Supervisor Holk would be contacted to get her input on the amendment. It was decided that the amendment would be discussed at the August meeting after research had been done. 9. NEW BUSINESS A. CONSIDER SPACING REQUIREMENTS BETWEEN COMPOST FACILITIES Columbus Township's new ordinance on compost sites was presented. It was pointed out that they require 2,000 feet between sites. It was pointed out that Casco's consultant stated that if sites were close together, it would not be a problem to discover which one had a bad odor. It was the consensus of the Commission that language not be added to the ordinance on distance between sites. It was stated that the Township Board could add this requirement when they approve the last amendment to the compost ordinance. Planner Wenk recommended that a Public Hearing be set before anything was added to the amendment that the Planning Commission had recommended for approval. 10. PLANNER'S REPORT Planner Wenk reported that they are working on a presentation on the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act for a future meeting. Planner Wenk stated that she thought notice of ZBA meeting had to be published. She also stated that she would check this and let the Commission know. The Planning Commission thanked Planner Wenk for all the work she had put in on the Corn Maze special land use and site plan. It was stated that it had been discovered that Mr. Ewald and Ms. Coppens could have requested a 2-year permit from the ZBA to try out the corn maze and see how it would work. Planner Wenk reported that Ms. Coppens told her about a proposed ordinance that corn maze operators are putting together for townships. She stated that she would send a copy to the Planning Commission. It was reported that Wolverine Tractor never obtained drainage approval and that Supervisor Holk had contacted them about this. 11. REPORT FROM COMMITTEES DRAFT July 18, 2006 Page 6 It was reported that a Planning Commission member had been approached about the proposed compost site in Richmond Township. It had been decided that because of the current court cases, Casco Township should not get involved. It was reported that Blue Star has been sold. Member Stevens reported that he would have to miss the next meeting. It was reported that a date has been set for September on the compost site court case. 12. ADJOURNMENT It was moved by member Baumgarten and seconded by member McKenzie that the meeting adjourn at 8:47 p.m. Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page Nays: None The motion carried.