Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Planning Commission

August Minutes

Ensley Township Planning Commission

August 24, 2009

Members Present: John Vander Meulen, Matt Bonzo, Janet Dravk, Ross Harwood, Ralph Palmer, Robert Buckowing, Keith Bouwkamp 

Guests: ZA absent, No members of public

Meeting:

            A         Pledge of Allegiance

                        Meeting was called to order at 8:00 by Matt Bonzo.  Pledge of Allegiance was cited.

B.                 Roll Call

All present until 8:30; Keith Bouwkamp had to leave.

C.                 Approval of Agenda

Motion made (Bouwkamp) and supported (Dravk) to approve the agenda for August 24^th as written 

D.                Approval of Minutes for July ‘09

Motion made (Vander Meulen) and supported (Palmer) to approve the minutes July minutes as written.  Motion carried.

Reports

A.                 Correspondence Received

Matt Bonzo discussed possible membership ($50 cost) in West Michigan Strategic Alliance.  Motion made (Bouwkamp) and supported (Buckowing) to make a recommendation to the Township Board to become a member of this organization.  Motion carried.

B.                 Township Representative

John Vander Meulen gave the Planning Commission an update on the Township Board.  

C.                 Information and Inquiry Including Public Comment

None

D.                Zoning Administrator

1.                  September 28^th (Ryan Coffey, MSU Extension) (8:00 PM) to prepare a presentation on general education on wind turbines/zones – Estimated Cost None.  Robert Hall asked to confirm the appointment with Ryan Coffey

2.                  October 26^th (Tammy Stoner, Wind Power Services, LLC) (7:00 PM) Also a presentation on wind turbines; specifically the “hands on” side of what a Planning Commission or Township could expect to see if their area were to be selected for an installation site.  Estimated Cost - $300.00.  Robert Hall asked to wait on confirming with Tammy until after the Ryan Coffey presentation.

Old Business

A.                 Master Plan Correction (Review)

1.                  Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is not statutorily authorized by the state of Michigan to local units of government – deleted from text.  Planning Commission recognizes this and Zoning Administrator has deleted from the text.

2.                  Future Land Use Map (statutory requirement) Not Completed. Three areas were discussed, the intersections of 104^th and Cypress, 120^th and Cypress and the area centered on the existing gas station at the southern end of Cypress.

3.                  Resolution of adoption/recommendation of Master Plan.  Motion made (Buckowing) supported (Dravk) to adopt the former future land use map with the omission of the area 120^th and New Costa. Motion made (Palmer) and supported (Buckowing) to adopt the Master Plan as written with corrected map.  John Vander Meulen Aye, Matt Bonzo Aye, Janet Dravk Aye, Ross Harwood Aye, Ralph Palmer Aye, Robert Buckowing Aye. Motion Carried.

B.                 Wind Power Generators/Alternative Energy Zoning Review & Comment on Ottawa County Model Wind Energy Ordinance

Postponed to next meeting

C.                 Scenario “Best Case – Worst Case” Examples Current Planning and Zoning (continued)

Postponed to next meeting

New Business

A.                 Internship

Matt suggestion a job description be written for a possible internship for Planning Commission

Motion made by (Palmer) and supported (Dravk) to adjourn at 9:20 PM.  Motion carried.

Sec.  Palmer

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