Ensley Township in Newaygo County MI

Planning Commission

September Minutes

Ensley Township Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

September 2008

Members Present: Phil Starr, John Vander Meulen, Keith Bouwkamp, Matt Bonzo,
Janet Abbott

Members Absent: Ralph Palmer, Robert Buckowing

Guests: 1 Resident, Robert Hall

Meeting:

A.     Pledge of Allegiance:

The September 29, 2008 meeting of the Ensley Township Planning Commission was called to order at 8:05 PM by Phil Starr.  Pledge of Allegiance was cited.

B.     Roll Call: Phil Starr

C.     Approval of Agenda:

Starr presented the agenda for September 29^th 2008 as written.  Motion made (Bouwkamp) and supported (Bonzo) to approve the agenda.  Motion carried.

^D.       Approval of Minutes for July 28^th:

 (one correction made, “on” to “of” under old business)

E.     Approval of Minutes for August 25^th:

(one correction to Janet last name “Abbot” to “Abbott”)

Reports:

A.     Correspondence Received:

a)      Newaygo City Land Use Summit Newsletter

b)      Understanding ground water withdrawal in Newaygo City

B.     Information and Inquiry:

a)      MTA Practical Application of the Michigan Enabling Act

b)      MTA Evening Planning and Zoning workshop application

C.     Township Board Representative:

a)      No Building or Electrical permits.

b)      Township accepting snow plowing bids for 2008-2009 season

c)      3 PA116 applications; 3 separate parcels in Fairview Acres LLC

d)      AT&T Right of way request

e)      Township Hall receives a new fax machine

f)       A resident presented the commission with pictures of obscene graffiti on a building near their residence and asked the commission to look into ordinances for its removal.

D.    Zoning Administrator:

a)      Supplied the Planning Commission with a sample of Chester Townships’ (Ottawa County) ordinance No. 2005-06-01 for discussion about sp ecial use standards and zoning for Wind Towers.  Regulations for wind energy conservation systems and related matters.

b)      Handouts presented to the commission:

                                                                                                  i.            Conversations on Planning and Zoning

                                                                                                ii.            CRS report for Congress; Wind Power in the United States

                                                                                              iii.            “Conclusion” section to be inserted into the Master Plan

Old Business:

A.     Wind Power Generation:

a)      Zoning ordinance for wind energy is complicated and Comprehensive, the Planning Commission will continue to research

b)      Discussions to create an ordinance of how to allow for turbines and the conditions that must be met to install one. 

c)      The Planning Commission will continue to study other ownership ordinances and consider their approach

d)      Bob Hall will research more information about wind energy as it pertains to home owners

B.     Work On Master Plan:

a)      Farmland and Open Space Preservation:

                                                                                i.            Talks about how to choose Commercial zoning and how to preserve farmland

                                                                               ii.            Defining roads for commercial; and residential zoning

                                                                               iii.            Tabling talks on Farm preservation zoning until we have a better understanding in an approach

                                                                               iv.            Community Survey results handout

                                                                                v.            Census – To be incorporated into the Master Plan near the back section

                                                                                vi.            All agreed to incorporate a “Conclusion” section (as written by Matt Bonzo) into the Master Plan

b)      Pollution Prevention and Water Levels:

None

c)      Road Plan:

None

New Business:

None

Motion made by (Keith Bouwkamp) and supported (John Vander Meulen) to adjourn at 9:10 PM. Motion carried.

Sub Sec. Janet Abbott

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