Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Planning Commission

March Minutes

Ensley Township Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

March 27, 2006

Members Present:        

Phil Starr

Keith Bouwkamp

Matthew Bonzo

John Vander Meulen

Ralph Palmer

            Louise Yowtz

Members Absent:

Ronald Bell

Guests Present:

Max Evans Retiring Zoning Administrator

Robert Hall Newly Appointed Zoning Administrator

Public:

            None

Meeting:

            Meeting was called to order at 8:02 by Starr.  Pledge of Allegiance was cited.

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

Unapproved meeting minutes of 2/27/06

Phil Starr requested that in the future, all the people were make and support motion be identified in the meeting minutes.

            Minutes of 2/27/06 were read.  The following changes were made;

                        Section/Paragraph “Reports/Item 5”

Changed, “Quick Claim” deed

To: “Quite Deed”

Section/Paragraph, “Old Business/C, last paragraph”

Changed, “All Planning Commission”

To: “Motion passed five to two”

Motion made (Bonzo) and supported (Bouwkamp) to approve minutes of 2/27/06 with above changes.

Correspondence Received

Phil Starr introduced a “Basic Planning and Zoning” program sponsored by Muskegon Community College for March 29^th and encouraged all to attend.  The township would pay mileage and fees to do so.

The results of the Newaygo Co Comprehensive Survey have been received.

Reports

A.  Township Board Report from John Vander Meulen:

1.      The Eckelstafer Adult Foster Care sign meets the zoning requirements.

2.      The township board accepted the resignation of Doug Verduin as Zoning Administrator.

3.      The police contract was debated.  With revenue state sharing on the decline, it was decided to renew the contract for one year.  However, a ˝ mil proposal will be made to the residents for continuation after this year.

4.      Interviews for the Assessor position to take place this month.

5.      The Zoning Administrator position was filled with Robert Hall.

6.      Bids for the Park Attendant will be solicited.

7.      Fire Chief Robert Hawkins reported the rescue vehicle is getting into poor shape and that over 70% of his calls are for medical assistance.  Therefore, support for a new vehicle will be required soon to continue the services supplied.

8.      McKays Towing received a license to haul impounded vehicles with a condition that there the business does not include vehicle crushing.

B.     Information and Inquiry

Phil Starr reported that the Planning Commission has some money left in the budget.  The new budget for 4/1/06 to 3/31/07 will be $10,850 of which $4000 is ear marked for professional services.

C.     Zoning Administrator

Robert Hall was introduced as the new Zoning Administrator.

Max Evans passed out a “Wild and Vicious Animal Ordinance” for Ensley from 2000 but added that enforcement was always a problem.

Township Zoning Activities:

1.      There were three single land splits

2.      There were four building permit issued.

  Old Business

A.     Dog Kennels, Review

Phil Starr referred to the Amendment for Section 5.02 Special Land uses in A-R District.

B.     Home Width, Review

Phil Starr inquired if it were not to late to add a proposed change to the minimum eaves overhang to the agenda of the public hearing to change Section 3.25A2 to require a minimum width requirement for dwellings outside a manufactured housing park; it was. 

C.     Fence Definition

Motion made (Yowtz) for Planning Commission to make the recommendation to the Township Board to request that Kent County Road Commission erect a guard rail at the end of Algoma. 

Motion made by Yowtz supported by Bonzo.

New Business

A.  Site Condo; Zoning Language from L.S. Planner

Phil Starr reported that L.S.L. Inc. did not have any new information ready for the March 27^th meeting of the Planning Commission.

B.  Demolition; Dangerous Building.

John Vander Meulen passed out a “Dangerous Building Ordinance” for the Planning Commissions review and consideration for the next meeting.

Motion made by Keith Bouwkamp and supported by John Vander Meulen to adjourn at 9:25 PM

Copyright 2011 - Ensley Township - All Rights Reserved