MINUTES
CASCO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
JUNE 21, 2011
Present: Members Joe Stevens, Eric Reeve, William Ruemenapp, Wayne Baumgarten, Jennifer Andersen, and Susan Macker; also present Township Planner Rod Arroyo, Township Inspector Roland Suess, Mike Czenkus, Hugo Mancini, Lee Strickler, William Crooks, Kathleen Crooks, and Katherine Wilson
Absent: Member Kathy McKenzie
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 - MAY 17, 2011
It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Andersen that the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on May 17, 2011, be approved with the following correction.
Page 1, the last word under Present was changed from peop0le to people
Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Macker
Nays: None
The motion carried.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Macker that the agenda be approved as submitted.
Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Macker
Nays: None
The motion carried.
5. COMMUNICATIONS
It was reported that the replacement of the pipeline under the St. Clair River has been completed on schedule, and the company just needs to clean up and restore the work site.
A communication was presented from Montgomery Planning outlining their services and fees.
A communication was presented from the St. Clair Planning Commission recommending approval of the gun sales ordinances in business and industrial zoning. They also suggested the township provide information on the NRA range sources website and book. It was also stated that Supervisor Holk is considering indoor shooting ranges be approved under special land use in business zoning.
6. DISCUSSION FROM THE FLOOR
There was no Discussion From The Floor.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
There was no Public Hearing.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. RONDIGO, LLC - SET PUBLIC HEARING
It was stated that Rondigo, LLC had requested a Public Hearing for a Special Land Use at the May 17, 2011, meeting and that the request had been tabled until the June 21, 2011, meeting so the Planning Commission could get a recommendation from the Township Attorney about approving the request. It was further stated that the Township Attorney has stated that the Planning Commission should approve the request for a Public Hearing.
It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Andersen that a Public Hearing be set for the July 19, 2011, meeting to discuss the Special Land Use requested by Rondigo, LLC.
Mr. Scott Hunter entered the meeting at 7:08 p.m.
Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Macker
Nays: None
The motion carried.
The Planning Commission informed Mr. Hunter that Rondigo, LLC‘s Public Hearing would probably be held at Richmond High School.
Mr. Hunter left the meeting at 7:09 p.m.
B. VOTE ON PLANNING COMMISSION BY-LAWS
The proposed change to Article IV, Section 4 of the Planning Commission By-Laws was presented.
It was moved by member Andersen and seconded by member Stevens that the following change to the Planning Commission By-Laws be approved:
Article IV, Section 4: The secretary shall record or make reasonable accommodations for the recording of Minutes and maintain such record of the Minutes of all meetings; a record of all transcripts, records, plans, etc., brought before the Commission.
Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Macker
Nays: None
The motion carried.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. EMPTY POCKETS FARM - SPECIAL LAND USE
A Special Land Use request to keep, board, breed, train, and sell as many as 20 horses at any one time was presented. Planner Arroyo recommended that the Planning Commission set a Public Hearing as requested by the Applicant. He also presented a list of information needed before a Special Land Use could be approved.
Mr. Strickler presented the request and gave some background information on the use of the property and what was being planned.
The Planning Commission stated that some variances on the property had been approved by the ZBA in the past, but they had all expired due to lack of use. They also stated that in the past, the Township Attorney had informed them they could not consider property that was leased to bring acreage size up to ordinance demands.They also further stated that the request for a Public Hearing could be set for the July meeting or, if requested by the Applicant, the August meeting.
Mr. Strickler stated they would like to have the Public Hearing set at the July meeting and asked what they would need to have done for the meeting.
Planner Arroyo recommended they do everything they could as listed on his communication and get it to the township offices 15 days before the meeting, so he could review the information and make a recommendation. He stated that a better site plan, or at least official surveys of the property showing buildings and other information, should definitely be part of their packet of information.
It was stated that the Applicant is not required to submit anything, but without the information the Planner‘s review would be severely limited and the ramifications could be negative.
It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Andersen that a Public Hearing be set for July 19, 2011, to discuss the Special Land Use requested by Empty Pockets Farm.
Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Macker
Nays: None
The motion carried.
B. SET JULY PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING LOCATION
It was stated that Supervisor Holk feels the Public Hearing in July will attract a large number of citizens and has gotten permission from the Richmond Schools to hold the July meeting in the high school multi-media center if the Planning Commission approves the change of location.
Lee Strickler, William Crooks, Kathleen Crooks, and Katherine Wilson left the meeting at 7:58 p.m.
It was moved by member Andersen and seconded by member Stevens that the July 19, 2011, Planning Commission meeting be held in the Richmond High School multi-media center at 35320 Division Road, Richmond, Michigan 48062.
Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Macker
Nays: None
The motion carried.
10. PLANNER'S REPORT
Planner Arroyo reported that the Township Board has adopted the ordinance to confirm the Establishment of a Planning Commission as required under the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.
Planner Arroyo stated that under the same act, the Planning Commission is required to make an annual report to the Township Board detailing things like numbers of Special Land Uses heard, rezoning, site plans received, etc.
A discussion was held on the feasibility of adding something to the ordinances that contain less strict criteria for small operations. It was decided that Chairman Ruemenapp would contact Supervisor Holk to determine if she felt they should look into this.
Member Reeve stated that he did not think rented land, as opposed to owned land, should be considered in acreage needed under an ordinance.
Chairman Ruemenapp stated that he would ask Supervisor Holk to contact the township attorney and see if he thought the ZBA could issue a variance based on a combination of owned and leased land, and also ask him to factor in the Right to Farm in regards to minimum acreage and Planning Commission approval.
Planner Arroyo stated that if they formed a LLC with common ownership, any land owned by any of the owners would probably count under total acres needed.
11. REPORTS FROM COMMITTEES
There were no Reports From Committees
12. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by member Baumgarten and seconded by member Andersen that the meeting adjourn at 8:10 p.m.
Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Macker
Nays: None
The motion carried.