Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Planning Commission

March Minutes

Ensley Township Planning Commission

March 29, 2010 

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

Guests: ZA, Robert Hall

Public: Brad and Terry Woodard

Meeting:

            A         Pledge of Allegiance

                        Meeting was called to order at 7:30pm by Matt Bonzo.  Pledge of Allegiance was cited.

B.                 Roll Call

Robert Buckowing and Ralph Palmer Absent

C.                 Approval of Agenda

Motion made (Dravk) and supported (Vander Meulen) to approve the agenda as written. Motion carried.  

D.                 Approval of Minutes for January 25^th 2010

Motion made (Dravk) and supported (Harwood) to approve the minutes for January 25, 2010 as written; Motion carried.

Reports

A.                 Correspondence Received

·         West Michigan Strategic Alliance; 10-year celebration flyer.

·         Free Zoning/Training Seminar at Croton Township Fire Barn invite.

·         A memo from Bob Hall (Zoning Administrator) to the Planning Commission.

·         Citizen Planner Article provided courtesy of Bob Hall (Zoning Administrator)

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

A.     Inserts related to Chapters 4&5

Distributed for reference only to the PC members the following information;

·         Citizen Planner Article,

·         Free Zoning/Training Seminar at Croton Township Fire Barn invite,

·         Agenda from Zoning Administrator containing general information and requests of the Planning Commission.

Old Business - (for this week moved to after “New Business” to accommodate Guests Brad and Terry Woodard).

                        Motion made (Bouwkamp) and supported (Dravk)

A.                 Zoning Ordinance, Chapters 4 & 5 Discussion*

*Postponed further discussion to a later date so the Planning Commission can focus on Commercial Zoning per Residents Brad and Terry Woodard who have submitted a commercial development request.

a)      Relative to Chapter sections 4.0 through 4.99; PC does not plan to change or update this section from the current state.

b)      Relative to Chapter section 5.01; Needs more discussion on the use of solar panels, wind turbines and outdoor wood burning stoves.

c)      Relative to Chapter section 5.02; Needs more discussion on Internet and cell towers and self storage businesses and public buildings

d)      Relative to Chapter section 5.03; PC does not plan to change or update this section from the current state.

e)      Bob Hall will contact Brenda Moore a Principal Planner to seek advice.

New Business

A.     Commercial Development

a)      Residents Brad and Terry Woodard submitted a request for re-zoning to allow for a Coffee & Ice Cream Shop & Drive Thru at the corner of 120^th and Cypress.

b)      Supplied a proposed drawing outlining their proposed commercial development of corner area.

c)      Planning Commission agreed to re-open commercial zoning to address their request as it pertains to the township as a whole.

d)      The Planning Commission was asked by Matt Bonzo and Bob Hall to physically visit the planned site and to review Chapters 9, 12, and 13 of the Ensley Township Ordinance.

Motion made by (Bouwkamp) and supported (Vander Meulen) to adjourn at 9:05 PM.  Motion carried.

Sub-Sec.  Dravk

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