DRAFT
MINUTES
CASCO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 19, 2006

Present:   Members John Stevens, Eric Reeve, William Ruemenapp, Wayne 
Baumgarten, and Denise Page; also present Township Planner Wenk

Absent:    Kathy McKenzie and 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 - August 15, 2006

	It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Page that the 
minutes of the Regular 	Meeting held on August 15, 2006, be approved with 
the following correction:

		Page 3, No. 7, under Unfinished Business was corrected to read:

		7.  Detached accessory buildings shall not exceed the maximum height 
specified in Section 12.03.

		Ayes:	Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page
		Nays:	None
		The motion carried.

  4.	APPROVAL OF AGENDA

	It was moved by member Page and seconded by member Stevens that the 
agenda be approved as presented. 

		Ayes:  Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page
		Nays:  None
		The motion carried.

5.	COMMUNICATIONS

	It was reported that a card had been received on a fall workshop at 
the County Building.  The topic is infrastructure, and it will be held on October 26, 2006.  More 
information is to come later.
DRAFT											September 19, 2006
												Page 2
	
  6.	DISCUSSION FROM THE FLOOR

	There was no Discussion From the Floor.

  7.	PUBLIC HEARING
	A,  AMENDMENT TO ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 13 (ACCCESSARY BUILDINGS IN 	   	      
FRONT YARD)

	The Public Hearing was opened by Chairman Ruemenapp.

	Planning Commission members and Planner Wenk discussed the proposed 
amendments.

	It was moved by member Page and seconded by member Baumgarten that the 
Public Hearing be closed.

		Ayes:  Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page
		Nays:  None
		The motion carried.

	It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Baumgarten that 
the Amendment to Zoning Ordinance Article 13 (Accessory Buildings in 
Front Yard) be recommended for approval by the 	Township Board.

		Ayes:  Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page
		Nays:  None
		The motion carried.
		
  8.	UNFINISHED BUSINESS
	A.  DISCUSSION ON CONDO STORAGE BYLAWS AND MASTER DEED

	Proposed Bylaws and a Master Deed were presented from the St. Clair 
Condominium Storage Facility.  	The Planning Commission and Planner Wenk 
discussed the Bylaws.  It was pointed out that the Township Attorney 
had reviewed the Bylaws.  It was also stated that the St. Clair 
Condominium Storage Facility had followed his recommendations for changes.

	It was moved by member Reeve and seconded by member Page that the 
draft copy of the Bylaws dated 	August 24, 2006, from the St. Clair 
Condominium Storage Facility be approved.

	It was moved by member Reeve and seconded by member Page that the 
preceding motion include approval of the Master Deed.

DRAFT											September 19, 2006
												Page 3

		Ayes:  Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page
		Nays:  None
		The motion carried.

  9.	NEW BUSINESS
	A.  DISCUSSION ON POSSIBLE TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE ON GRASS CUTTING

	The Planning Commission and Planner Wenk discussed the possibility of 
creating a Grass Cutting Ordinance.  It was stated that grass cutting 
regulations could be added to the Blight Ordinance under the section 
on Vacant Houses.  It was mentioned that a new General Law ordinance 
titled Vegetation Ordinance or Grass Cutting Ordinance could be created.

	It was stated that a definition would have to be created for Vacant 
Houses.  It was also stated that exceptions should be added for 
agricultural uses.  It was pointed out that a section on enforcement 	
provisions would also have to be added.

	The Commission asked Planner Wenk to check on Page 8, Section D of the 
Blight Ordinance to see if the enforcement amount should be reworded.

	Planner Wenk stated that she was currently working with other 
municipalities on similar ordinances and would bring information back to the 
next meeting, and she indicated all the ordinances she had reviewed 	
used 12 inches in height as the threshold for a violation.
	
10.	PLANNER'S REPORT 

	Planner Wenk reported that the Casco Township Board had authorized 
Birchler Arroyo to update the ordinances to comply with the Zoning 
Enabling Act.

	It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Page that a 
Public Hearing be set for November 21, 2006, on revisions to ordinances to 
comply with the Zoning Enabling Act.

		Ayes:  Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page
		Nays:  None
		The motion carried.

	The Planning Commission and Planner Wenk discussed a Procedures 
Manual.  Planner Wenk stated that many different procedures would be 
covered, and it could be created so that each section would stand alone so 
people could request only the information they needed.

11.	REPORT FROM COMMITTEES

	Member Stevens reported that the Township Board has been discussing 
the possibility of asking for millage for fire protection at the next election.
DRAFT 								September 19, 2006
												Page 4

 	It was pointed out that the Board could increase the cost of a fire 
run if additional money is needed.

	It was reported that a court date of October 12, 2006, has been set 
with Rondigo over the injunction.
	
12.	ADJOURNMENT

	It was moved by member Baumgarten and seconded by member Page that the 
meeting adjourn at 8:25 p.m.

		Ayes:  Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, and Page
		Nays:  None
		The motion carried.