Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Planning Commission

November Minutes

Ensley Township Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

November 27, 2006

Members Present:  Phil Starr, Matthew Bonzo, Ralph Palmer, Louise Yowtz, Ronald Bell, John Vander Meulen, and Keith Bouwkamp.

Members Absent: 

Guests Present:  Robert Hall

Public:  None

Meeting:

A         Pledge of Allegiance 

Meeting was called to order at 8:05 by Phil Starr.  Pledge of Allegiance was cited.

B.                 Roll Call

All present 

C.                Approval of Agenda

Starr presented the agenda.  Motion made (Bouwkamp) and supported (Yowtz) to approve the agenda with addition of Ron Bells name. Motion carried 

D.                Approval of Minutes for October

Motion Made (Yowtz) and supported (Bouwkamp) to approve Minutes of October as is. Phil called for a vote, motion carried.

Reports

A.        Correspondence Received

Nothing received from Phil.

B.                 Township Representative

John VanderMeulen gave the Planning Commission an update on the Township Board.  A “master copy” of the Zoning Ordinances with revision dates will be made by Cindy and Doug Verduin. 

C.                Information and Inquiry     

None

D.                Zoning Administrator

The Zoning Administrator reported

PA 168 requires zoning be done according to a master plan and that the master plan be reviewed at least once every five years.

Reported to the board that there were ten to twelve letters sent out for non conformance with some success with some violators

The Robert Johnson issue is close to closure with the addition of the road on Elm

The board did approve 16 foot side walls with no maximum height.

 Old Business

A.                      Discuss Land Division Ordinance

The document entitled “State of Michigan, County of Newaygo, Township of Ensley, Land Division Ordinance”, was discussed.

Relative to Section IV, “Prior Approval Requirement for Land Divisions”, clarification was requested as to why either sub-sections A or B under Section IV would be required.  Phil Star asked Robert Hall to look into the need for these sections.

Relative, to Section VII, Standards for Approval of Land Divisions”, sub-section A, the thought was expressed that it should specify or reference the corresponding section in the Zoning Ordinance.

Relative to Section VII, subsection C, clarification was requested for ratio of depth and it was suggested that a chart might prove useful or to explicitly state what the depth ratio is.  Phil Star requested Robert Hall to see if more information could be gotten to clarify the paragraph and to look into Flag lots.

Motion made (Yowtz) and supported (Palmer) to have Robert Hall send the proposed ordinance to the lawyer for the following clarifications;

Section IV, paragraphs A and B, can they be omitted? 

Section IV, paragraph D, clarify “A land transfer between adjoining land owners”; does this mean a contiguous lot line?

Section VII, paragraph A, specify the Zoning Ordinance section

Section VII, paragraph C, insert the 4 to 1 depth ratio into the paragraph.

Motion carried.

B.                       Michigan Zoning Enabling Act

Robert Hall is as good as 99% done going through the Zoning Ordinance for changes to conform to the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.  By next meeting ten or twelve changes to the Ordinance will be required to bring the Township into conformance.  Robert reports that the Attorney recommends that there be a public meeting but only to inform not to debate as this is a Mandated by the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.

C.                       Non Conforming Lots/Zoning Changes

The issue is granting some latitude to the Zoning Administrator to make judgment calls to approve any move that decreases an already non conforming lot in any way based on an approved policy or standard.   Per Hall, the biggest area of concern is the Lake District.  Phil Starr requested Robert Hall to make some suggestions or have examples for the next Planning Commission meeting that could be then discussed.

New Business

A.                      Discuss Community Survey Analysis

Per Phil Star, $685.00 was the cost to but the analysis together from the survey results.  Bouwkamp made the suggestion that the Township should try to educate the public on the activities of the Planning Commission.  Also, the posting of the analysis should be posted on the web site.  Yowtz suggested that there needs to be an understanding of what is required of a master plan. Bonzo suggested that the plan should have some measurable targets as well to be a well formed plan.  Robert Hall said the master plan is the “road map” for the township.  Phil suggests a special meeting to discuss this early next year.  John will check with Verduin to get the “Ensley Township 2006 Community Survey” on the web site.

B.                       Master Plan (Sending Out Notices)

Phil will ask the Township Clerk send out notices early next year to surrounding townships.  This is a state requirement.

C.                      Square Feet Allowed for Garages (Accessory Buildings)

Postponed

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

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