Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Planning Commission

June Minutes

Ensley Township Planning Commission

June 29 , 2009

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

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

Robert Buckowing absent.

C.                 Approval of Agenda

Motion made (Dravk) and supported (Bouwkamp) to approve the agenda for June 29^th with the deletion of the “Master Plan Discussion” under “Old Business, Section A” and the addition of “Scenario Planning” under “New Business”.

D.                Approval of Minutes for April ‘09

Motion made (Bouwkamp) and supported (Dravk) to approve the minutes of April 27^th with the correction of the spelling of “Dravk” and the correction that Janet Dravk passed out the Ottawa ordinance. 

Motion made (Bouwkamp) and supported Harwood) to approve the minutes of May 18^th with the correction of the spelling of “Dravk”.

Reports

A.                 Correspondence Received

No correspondence

B.                 Township Representative

Broad met June 2^nd. John Vander Meulen gave the Planning Commission an update on the Township Board.   Two part time officers will patrol Baptist Lake during the summer months of 2009 for a total budget of $2,000. 

C.                 Information and Inquiry Including Public Comment

None

D.                Zoning Administrator

New notice of Intent to Plan

Amendment – 42 day review period

The Public Hearing for the Master Plan has been scheduled for July 27^th 2009. All due diligence work in notifying surrounding jurisdictions, etc., has been done to ensure validity of process/Master Plan

Old Business

A.                 Master Plan Discussion – Review Final Draft.

B.                 Wind Power Generators / Alternative Energy Zoning

Ottawa County wind ordinance reviewed.  Robert Hall pointed out a few issues with the ordinance and recommends general awareness training for the planning commission and the township board.  Robert Hall will contact a potential speaker/trainer on the topic of large wind turbines for potential training in August or September.

Robert Hall passed out a Michigan State Extension bulletin E-3044 titles “Heating Buildings and Business Operations with Biomass Fuel” and an article titled “Up Wind or Down Wind Generator”

New Business

A.                 Scenario Planning

Matt Bonzo reported on the concept of scenario planning which is to look at current trends and our township ordinances and then project what could happen if they were taken to the extreme.   The exercise would help to judge or act as an acid test for the ordinances.

Motion made by (Bouwkamp) and supported (Palmer) to adjourn at 9:10 PM.  Motion carried.

Sec.  Palmer

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