MINUTES
CASCO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 17, 2009
Present: Members Kathy McKenzie, Joe Stevens, Eric Reeve, William Ruemenapp,
Wayne Baumgarten, Jennifer Andersen, and Denise Page; also
present, Planner
David Campbell
Absent: None
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 - SEPTEMBER 15, 2009
It was moved by member Page and seconded by member McKenzie that the minutes
of the Regular Meeting held on
October 20, 2009, be approved as presented.
Ayes: Members
McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Page
Nays: None
The motion carried.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Andersen that the
agenda be approved as submitted.
Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten,
Andersen, and Page
Nays: None
The motion carried.
Gerald Parylo entered the meeting at 7:02 p.m.
5. COMMUNICATIONS
A communication from Semco entitled Public Improvement Projects that Impact
Semco Energy Gas Facilities was presented and discussed.
6. DISCUSSION FROM THE FLOOR
There was no Discussion From the Floor.
7. PUBLIC HEARING
A. SIGN ORDINANCE
The Public Hearing was opened at 7:12 p.m.
Proposed changes were presented by Planner Campbell.
Chairman Ruemenapp asked if section 1.m. should read no closer than 100 feet
from the property line. He also asked if it would be appropriate for the ZBA to give a variance
for this. Planner Campbell stated that he thought that the ZBA could give a variance
for this since it is out of the control of the applicant and no change was
needed.
Chairman Ruemenapp stated section 3.c. says signs can be 20 feet from the
right of way under special approval of a special land use. He stated that
other sections for signs for R1, R2, ROS, RT, and all the other zoning does
not reference how far a sign has to be from a right-of-way; so if we want 10
feet, it should say 10 feet.
Planner Campbell stated that perhaps section 1.m. should say 10 feet from
the property right-of-way unless another ordinance section says it should be
more for a certain request.
It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Page that the Public
Hearing be closed at 7:21 p.m.
Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten,
Andersen, and Page
Nays: None
The motion carried.
It was moved by member Page and seconded by member McKenzie that the
Amendments to Section 13.08 of Ordinance #30 Casco Township Zoning
Ordinance, including subsections 13.08.1, 13.08.3, 13.08.4, 13.08.6,
13.08.7, and 13.08.10 be recommended for approval to the Township Board, with
the correction of section 1.m., by the Township Planner.
Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten,
Andersen, and Page
Nays: None
The motion carried.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no Unfinished
Business.
9. NEW BUSINESS
There was no New Business.
10. PLANNER'S REPORT
Planner Campbell gave a presentation of a new product Birchler Arroyo is
offering: Clearzoning. Clearzoning is a process of transforming a
community‘s existing zoning ordinance into a format that is much more
concise, interactive, and graphics-oriented, without changing the existing
ordinance‘s regulatory intent.
The process and how changes would be made in the future were discussed. The
Planning Commission suggested Planner Campbell make the presentation
to the Township Board.
11. REPORT FROM COMMITTEES
It was reported that a number of Planning Commission members attended the
St. Clair County Workshop. They gave a review of presentations which were
made by a planner and a lawyer.
It was reported that there would be a training workshop in the spring.
12. ADJOURNMENT
It was moved by member Baumgarten and seconded by member Andersen that the
meeting adjourn at 8:11 p.m.
Ayes: Members McKenzie, Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten,
Andersen, and Page
Nays: None
The motion carried.