DRAFT
MINUTES
CASCO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
SEPTEMBER 15, 2009
Present: Members Joe Stevens, Eric Reeve, William Ruemenapp, Wayne Baumgarten, Jennifer Andersen, and Denise Page; also present, Planner David Campbell, Gerald Parylo, and Adam Janusch
Absent: Member Kathy McKenzie
1. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m., by Chairman Ruemenapp.
2. PLEDGE TO THE FLAG: The Pledge to the Flag was recited.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - JULY 21, 2009: It was moved by member Page and seconded by member Stevens that the minutes of the Regular Meeting held on July 21, 2009, be approved as presented. Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Page. Nays: None. Abstentions: Member Ruemenapp.The motion carried.
4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: It was requested that Item Nos. 8 and 9 be switched. It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Page that the agenda be approved as amend. Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Page. Nays: None. The motion carried.
5. COMMUNICATION: It was announced that the St. Clair County Metro Planning Commission is holding their fall workshop on October 29, 2009. They have not set up their agenda yet. It was announced that two communications had been received from the St. Clair County Drainage
Commission: Verizon is planning on bringing in their driveway from Palms Road and have not submitted their new plan, and the North Point Storage plan has been approved and stamped.
It was reported that a consent agreement was reached on Friday with the Sattlers giving them ten years and out. Also agreed was they cannot enlarge the business, and there will be no new zoning. The language needs to be worked out and presented to the judge for approval.
It was reported that there will be a ZBA meeting on Thursday to hear a request from Mr. Achatz for a Class A designation so he can put a walk-in freezer in back of the building. It was stated that this will be complicated as half of his business is grandfathered, but the other half is not.It was asked if he would have to get an approved site plan before he goes to the ZBA. It was stated that he is going for a Class A designation not a variance so he would not need an approved site plan first.
6. DISCUSSION FROM THE FLOOR
Mr. Janush presented a revised site plan. The Planning Commission, Planner Campbell, and Mr. Janush discussed the revised site plan and the current use of the property. Mr. Janush stated that they no longer have the Penske franchise and they still feel the RV sales should be grandfathered in. He also reminded the Planning Commission that the Township had approved a license for this business. The Planning Commission and Mr. Janush also discussed the fact that this site plan encompasses three separate properties, but the property lines are not clear. Mr. Janush stated that they were not sure they were going to try to combine the three properties into one. The Planning Commission recommended Mr. Janush get his engineer to clearly mark the property lines on the site plan, and then Mr. Janush should set up a meeting with Supervisor Holk to see if they can work something out that will be acceptable to all parties.
7. PUBLIC HEARING: There were no Public Hearings.
9. NEW BUSINESS
A. SCS ENGINEERING - REVISED SITE PLAN:Planner Campbell stated that the Convenience Store Applicant has requested approval of an amended site plan deleting the proposed sidewalk. He stated they are recommending approval of the amended site plan so long as the applicant can verify that removal of the sidewalk is the only change to the approved plan as a sidewalk in that area is not required by ordinance. It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Page that the amended site plan be approved with the attachment of a letter signed and stamped by the engineer stating that the deletion of the sidewalk is the only change. It was asked if the sign had been moved on the site plan. It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Page that the motion be amended to:The amended site plan be approved contingent on the attachment of a signed and sealed communication from the engineer indicating that the only changes are the deletion of the sidewalk and the moving of the sign.It was asked if there might be any other changes. It was moved by member Stevens and seconded by member Page that the motion be amended to: The amended site plan be approved contingent on receiving a sealed communication from the engineer outlining all changes made and approval from the Township Planner. Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Page. Nays: None. The motion carried. It was asked what the applicant would have to do to open the other side of the building.It was stated that they would have to get permits from the township to open the other side, and they may be restricted on the type of business they could open because of the water and septic systems.
8. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
A. DISCUSSION ON SIGN ORDINANCE: Planner Campbell presented proposed changes to the sign ordinance. The Planning Commission and Planner Campbell discussed the proposed changes. Areas discussed included mounting of signs, size of signs and their pole or support, safety and set backs, brightness of the signs, multi-tenant signs, and message boards as part of a sign, Planner Campbell was requested to look into wording in other communities on multi-tenant signs and illumination and bring samples back to next month‘s meeting.
10. PLANNER'S REPORT : Planner Campbell stated that are expecting Verizon to come back with a revised plan and drainage approval.
11. REPORT FROM COMMITTEES: Member Stevens reported that at a special meeting on August 18, 2009, the Township Board dissolved the agreement with Lenox Township. It was decided that Casco does not need the agreement if they cannot get water or sewer services from Macomb County.
12. ADJOURNMENT: It was moved by member Baumgarten and seconded by member Andersen that the meeting adjourn at 8:26 p.m. Ayes: Members Stevens, Reeve, Ruemenapp, Baumgarten, Andersen, and Page. Nays: None. The motion carried.