Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Planning Commission

November Minutes

Ensley Township Planning Commission

November 29, 2010 

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

Guests: ZA, Steve Boluyt

            Janis Johnson from MainStreet Planning

Public: 2 members present plus three board members

Meeting:

            A         Pledge of Allegiance

                        Matt Bonzo called meeting to order at 7:30.  Pledge of Allegiance was cited.

B.                 Roll Call

All PC members present.

C.                 Approval of Agenda

Keith Bouwkamp made a motion and Cynthia Dubay supported to approve the PC Agenda for November 29^th; Motion carried.

D.                 Approval of Minutes

Keith Bouwkamp made a motion and John Vander Meulen supported to approve the PC meeting minutes of October 25^th with the correction that Steve Boluyt was not present or a guest at meeting; Motion carried.

Reports:

A.     Correspondence Received

From Matt Bonzo;

      Regarding the MTA Michigan Township News Magazine – Cindy Harwood reported that not all get the subscription and that it has cost of $35 per subscription and thus asked members to consider sharing before the township purchase more.

From MainStreet Planning per an e-mail dated November 30^th to PC;

o        Document, “Ensley Center District”; Draft #2, dated November, 30^th 2010

o        Document, “Amendments to the C – Commercial District and Chapter 3 General Provisions”;  Draft #2, and dated November 30^th, 2010

B.      Township Representative

John Vander Meulen gave the Planning Commission a cursory update of the Township Boards last meeting.

C.                 Information and Inquiry Including Public Comment

None

D.                 Zoning Administrator

Steve Boluyt gave an update on compliance issues and building permits and summarized that the latter activity has been “slow”.

Old Business:

A.                 Commercial District

a)      The first draft document, “Ensley Center District”; Draft #1, dated November, 29^th 2010 was discussed and gone over by all.  Janis Johnson gave the rationale for the document.  There were numerous comments concerning Section 11A.02, “Permitted Uses”, Section 11A.03, “Special Land Uses”, and Section 11A.04, “Site Development Requirements”.  Janis Johnson recommended that she take all comments made by the PC into consideration and revise the document with all changes made in bold for the PC to review at the next meeting.  All agreed that would be helpful.

b)      The first draft document, “Amendments to the C - Commercial District and Chapter 3 General Provisions”; Draft 1, dated November 29^th, 2010 was discussed and gone over by all.  Janis Johnson gave the rationale for document.  There were many comments concerning Section 9.04, “Schedule of Commercial District regulations” revolving around how this document/section would impact the existing businesses in the Township.  Additionally, there was much discussion concerning “lawfully existing” structures at the date of the adoption of this proposed ordinance and what that means to existing businesses.  Janis Johnson recommended that she take all comments made by the PC into consideration and revise the document with all changes made in bold for the PC to review at the next meeting.  All agreed that would be helpful.

c)      Janis requested that the PC send her the meeting minutes; Matt Bonzo agreed.

New Business:

A.        2011 PC Meeting Minutes

The Planning Commission meeting dates for 2011 are to be as follows; January 24th, February 21^st, March 28^th, April 25^th, May 23^rd, June 27^th, July 25^th, August 29^th, September 26^th, October 24^th, and November 28^th.

Motion made by Janet Dravk and supported by Cindy Dubay to adjourn at 9:50 PM.  Motion carried.