Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Planning Commission

August Minutes

Ensley Township Planning Commission

August 30, 2010 

Members Present: John Vander Meulen, Matt Bonzo, Janet Dravk, Ross Harwood, Cynthia Dubay, Ralph Palmer

Guests: ZA, Steve Boluyt

Public: 3 members present

Meeting:

            A         Pledge of Allegiance

                        Matt Bonzo called meeting to order at 7:30.  Pledge of Allegiance was cited.

B.                 Roll Call

All Present but Keith Bouwkamp

C.                 Approval of Agenda

Switch order of Old Business and New Business.

Motion made (Palmer) and supported (Ross Harwood) to approve agenda with above changes; All Affirmed.

D.                 Approval of Minutes

August 26th, 2010 Minutes:   Changes to the unapproved meeting minutes for July 26^th section “New Business” include the deletion of Ross Harwood as a person present at the informal meeting of July 13^th and the clarification that Board member Brenda Bird was present at this same meeting only as a business owner and not officially representing the Township Board.  Additional changes under “Old Business”, sections A and B were “no an option” changed to “not and option” and “non note” changes to “non participating PC member take notes” respectively.  Motion by John Vander Meulen, Supported by Palmer to Approve July 26th 2010 PC minutes with the changes above; All Affirmed:

Reports:

A.                 Correspondence Received

a)      Pro Series brochure from Phil concerning more efficient wood burners

b)      From MainStreet Planning two page handout entitled “Ensley Township Cypress Avenue Corridor Study, August 30, 2010”

c)      From MainStreet Planning three page handout entitles “Pros and Cons of a Neighborhood Commercial District and Comparison to other Zoning Tools”, not dated.

B.                 Township Representative

John Vander Meulen gave the PC a cursory update of the Township Boards last meeting.

C.                 Information and Inquiry Including Public Comment

            None/Deferred to agenda item “Neighborhood Commercial Rezoning”

D.                 Zoning Administrator

Steve Boluyt gave the PC a cursory update of ZA activities to the PC; Issues mentioned include but not limited to;

·         New home going up on Tamarack but will most likely asking for a variance on set back.

·         Issues with house that burned down on 120^th

Old Business:

A.                 Neighborhood Commercial Rezoning

Janis Johnson of MainStreet Planning Company introduced herself and stated the process she intends to follow with the Planning Commission will be per proposal submitted to Ensley Township on July 20, 2010 and encourages all to review and follow it as it will also serve as the work plan.

Ms Johnson stated that as her first task of this project, she took a tour of the township with Phil Starr to better familiarize herself with the township and offered the following impressions and thoughts on our current situation and the Master Plan;

a)      There appears to be issues with traffic on Cypress and cited a “close call” at curve by Gould’s while on township tour

b)      Cypress Ave is a primary road

c)      Listed commercial businesses and their exiting uses that exist on Cypress and that some possibly are operating “illegally” as defined by current zoning

d)      Said Existing structures varied aesthetically and had varied set backs, outdoor storage, etc

e)      Stated that the township’s Master Plan recommendations are current and that the township is obligated to “lean on” it and that the Master Plan will be considered by MainStreet Planning as something that the community has agreed upon.

f)       Commented that the Master Plan showed that thought was given to how a commercial district should look.

g)      Cited language from the master plan and asked if the abbreviation “NC”, which is listed to designate “rural commercial”, was intended or if it is a typographical error.

Ms. Johnson then divided the Planning Commission Members and the business owners present into three groups for a SWOT (Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and Threat analysis) to establish the main issues, goals for and land use along Cypress Avenue.  MainStreet Planning will tabulate and distribute the results prior to next PC meeting.

Communication method from Ms Johnson to PC to be direct e-mail to PC members

Ms. Johnson asked if there should be a meeting only with just the business owners.  PC Chair Matt Bonzo asked business owners present and they said yes.  A date for this meeting was tentatively set for September the 15^th. .

Ms Johnson requested the PC members come to next meeting prepared to take a position on various options listed in the handout “Pros and Cons of a Neighborhood Commercial District and Comparison to other Zoning Tools”.

There was a discussion but no decision on a possible special PC meeting in October

New Business:

A.                 Discussion of Medical Marijuana Ordinance

Proposed ordinance was reviewed and that its adoption would require a public hearing.  Motion made by Dravk and supported by Dubay to hold a public hearing on the proposed dealing with Medical Marijuana; All Ayes.

Palmer to notify Cindy Harwood and request public notification for a public hearing.

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

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