Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Planning Commission

February Minutes

Ensley Township Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

February 27, 2006

Members Present:        

Phil Starr

Ronald Bell

Keith Bouwkamp

Matthew Bonzo

John Vander Meulen

Ralph Palmer

            Louise Yowtz

Members Absent:

None

Guests Present:

Max Evans Zoning Administrator

Public:

            None

Meeting:

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

Starr presented the agenda and it was approved with no discussion.

Unapproved meeting minutes of 1/30/06

Minutes of 1/30/06 were read.  The following changes were made;

                        Section/Paragraph “Unapproved Meeting Minutes of 11/28/05”

Changed, “11/28/08”

To: “11/28/05”

Section/Paragraph “Old Business, first paragraph”

Changed, “The Planning Commission…….”

To: “The County Planning Commission…..”

Section/Paragraph “Old Business, last sentence”

Changed, “to adopt the amendment”

To: to recommend to the Township to adopt the amendment”

Section/Paragraph “Last sentence”

Changed, “adjourned art 12:20 PM”

To:  “adjourned at 10:20 PM”

            MMS (Bouwkamp) to approve with changes.  Motion passed.

Correspondence Received

Phil Starr introduced the February 20^th, 2006 letter from the Michigan University Extension announcing a Township Build-Out Analysis Workshop on Wednesday, March 1st.   Phil Starr encouraged all who could, attend.

Reports

A.  Township Board Report from John Vander Meulen:

1.      The Township Board voted to accept the ordinance on civil infractions

2.      A six month moratorium on the granting of any new applications for rezoning to Site Condominiums has been approved.

3.      The Township Board approved the updated By-Laws of the Zoning Board of Appeals

4.      A 4-H group has volunteered to paint the picnic tables at Baptist Lake if the Township provides the paint.

5.      Due to the dead end on the title search for property on the North West corner of 120^th and Cypress, the township lawyer is recommending the township file a “Quiet Deed”.

6.      Elm between 136^th and 22 mile will be paved

7.      Elm between 112^th and 104^th, will be grubbed

8.      Police contract is up May 1^st

9.      The salary question was resolved

10.  Clerk to send a letter to local school districts that the Township does not collect summer taxes

B.     Information and Inquiry

Max Evans reported that Mr. Roosien has paid the fees for four land divisions on the parcel he formally planned to develop as a site condominium.

  Old Business

A.     Dog Kennels Sample Language to Amend Special Use Section

Phil Starr presented the February 14^th response letter from LSL Planning Inc concerning the Planning Commissions request for draft language for Kennel Options.   The letter refers to the special land use Section 13.06,P.  The Planning Commission understands this should read Section 5.02R.

Relative to the options listed in the above referenced letter, the following options were selected for further consideration/recommendation to the Township Board

Section A

Second Option, added “maximum of 16 adult dogs” to read:

“Minimum lot area shall be ten (10) acres for a kennel of a maximum of 16 adult dogs, which includes outdoor exercise areas and/or dog run”

Section B

Second Option changed “one hundred (100)” to “two hundred (200)” to read:

“Buildings wherein dogs are kept, dog runs, and/or exercise areas shall not be located nearer than two hundred (200) feet to any lot line and two hundred (200) feet from the road right-of-way.”

Section C

Changed “animal” to “dogs” to read:

“All dogs shall be kept indoors between the hours of 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM.  All sleeping quarters and runs shall be adequately designed and constructed to protect the health and safety of the dogs throughout the year during periods of inclement weather”

Section D

Changed “animal” to “dogs” to read: 

“All dogs shall be kept under sanitary conditions and in sanitary enclosures.  The permit may be revoked if the premises become unsanitary or if the objectionable noise or odors emanate from the premises.”

Section E

No Changes, reads: 

“All dog kennels shall be operated in conformance with all applicable county and state regulations”

MMS (Yowtz) for Planning Commission to make the recommendation to the Township Board to hold a public hearing on the above proposed language for Special Land Use for Kennels. 

B.     Site Condominium Sample Language to Amend Special Use Section

Phil Starr presented the February 14^th “recap” letter from LSL Planning Inc concerning the Planning Commissions January 30^th meeting.  .

Relative to the recommendations/options listed in the above referenced letter, the following options were selected for further consideration for recommendation to the Township Board

Section 1

Option C, was selected.  Phil Starr to request additional information from LSLS to clarify what this option is actually changing relative to the current ordinance.

Section 2

Recommendation accepted as written.

Section 3

Recommendation accepted as written.

Section 4

Recommendation accepted as written. 

Section 5

Phil Starr is to clarify if this language is needed.

Section 6

Recommendation accepted as written.

Section 7

Recommendation accepted as written

Section 8

The Planning Commission understands that the Township has provisions for this in Section 15A.00, thus this already covered.

Section 9

Planning Commission feels recommendation should only be evaluated after the completion of the Master Plan.

Section “Proposed Work Plan”

Planning Commission feels listed proposals should be evaluated only after the completion of the Master Plan.

Phil Starr requested continued support from Township Board representative Jon Vander Meulen to work with LSL Inc. 

C.     Mobile Homes in Residential Zones Sample Language to Amend

Phil Starr presented the February 1^st letter from LSL Planning Inc concerning a review of local ordinances from Newaygo communities to assist Ensley in evaluating minimum standards for dwellings outside of manufactured housing parks.    Brooks, Croton, Grant Lincoln, Dayton and Lilly Townships regulate minimum width requirements for dwellings outside manufactured housing parks to be at least and up to 24 feet in width.

Motion made (Yowtz) for Planning Commission to make the recommendation to the Township Board to change Section 3.25A2 to require a minimum width requirement for dwellings outside a manufactured housing park to be 24t feet and for the Planning Commission to make the recommendation to the Township Board to hold a public hearing in April on the motion to amend minimum width requirements. 

            Phil Starr called for a vote on the motion:  Motion passed five to two.

D.    Survey

Phil Starr requested all to present recommendations and concerns to Township Board representative John Vander Meulen. 

New Business

A.  Demolish / Dangerous Building Ordinance

John Vander Meulen requested the issue be tabled until next meeting for discussion on a definition of the word “fence” for Ensley Township Zoning Ordinance definition section.

B.  Definition of the Word “Fence” for Ensley Township Zoning Ordinance.

John Vander Meulen proposed the following definition for consideration:

Fence: An enclosure or barrier, as around or along a field, yard, etc.

Motion made and supported to adjourn at 9:55 PM

Sec.  Palmer

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