Sullivan Township

SULLIVAN TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION & TOWNSHIP BOARD JOINT MEETING MINUTES JUNE 10, 2014

SULLIVAN TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

& TOWNSHIP BOARD JOINT MEETING MINUTES

JUNE 10, 2014

 

 1. THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:30 P.M. by Chairman Anton.

 

2. ROLL CALL:        Planning Commission Members:   Tom Anton, Sue Buckner, John                                                Carr, Glenn Gustafson, Eloise Jarka, Tom Jasick, Jim Kotecki

Township Board Members:   Kevin Aney, Sue  Buckner, Tammy                                                     Gillette, Mary Kotecki, Tony Mabrito

Absent:    None

                                                Guests:    1 resident, 2 guests

 

3. THE CHAIRMAN REVIEWED THE MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF MAY 13,  2014:

The minutes were read and Sue Buckner made a motion to accept the minutes as read; Eloise Jarka seconded the motion.  It was unanimously approved.

 

THE CHAIRMAN ASKED THE SECRETARY TO READ THE MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF JUNE 4, 2013:

 

4.  APPROVAL OF AGENDA:

A.  Significant items reviewed by the planning commission in the previous year were:

                                    1.)  The Muskegon County Fairgrounds

2.)  The Proposed Mud Runners Obstacle Course on Maple Island Road

3.)  Verplank Sand Mining Activity Report

4.)  Lake A Development

5.)  Wood Boiler Complaint

6.)  Ruthie Lane Private Street Issue

7.)  Verizon Wireless Communication Facility 

8.)  Need for Migrant Housing Ordinance

9.)  Educational Opportunities

10.)  Zoning Map Update

             B.  Administrative Issues:

1.)  Election of Planning Commission Board Members

2.)  Re-printed Zoning Ordinance

3.)  Planning Commission Membership and Support Staff Changes

                                    4.)  Planning Commission Budget

A. 3.)   In order to permit Verplank’s representative to avoid discussions not pertinent to his operation, it was decided to discuss the May 22, 2014, report from the Zoning Administrator as the first item on the agenda.  The report indicated that all issues were in compliance and that documentation was in order.  No complaints have been received concerning operations occurring outside of approved conditions.  According to the firm’s representative, Lake A may be available for township use sooner than predicted due to unancipated improvement in the economy.  The planning commission will verify that current copies of all MDEQ permits are on file in the business office.

 

Even though the minutes had previously been approved, it was suggested that the word “loaded” be included in the next last sentence in the Verplank Trucking report which will now read: “. . . However, Verplank will guarantee their firm will never haul an empty pup behind a loaded lead out of their property on Hts. Ravenna Road. . . .“  Verplank’s representative agreed to the wording.

 

According to the firm’s representative, Lake A may be available for township use sooner than predicted due to unancipated improvement in the economy.  The planning commission will verify that current copies of all MDEQ permits are on file in the business office.

 

A. 1a.)  The township attorney reported the County’s attorney has indicated to him that the County is in agreement that the ordinance must be complied with.  Initially, the County felt that the it was exempt from zoning laws but has now agreed that wording from recent cases has determined that ancillary land uses are subject to township zoning laws.

 

A. 1b.)  Following the meeting with the attorneys, the township fairgrounds liaison reported   word from the fairgrounds committee was that permits had been applied for.  The County will need to be contacted to request an updated site plan.  A meeting will be established with Tony Mabrito, Tom Anton, Dave Bossenbroek, Brent Gillette, Greg Mason, Doug Hughes, Ron Ballard and Scott Erdman to discuss the site plan and other issues.

 

A. 2.)  Discussions with the applicant for the Mud Runners Obstacle Course, have revealed there are several preliminary points to be clarified prior to any decisions for the special use permit.  One is the clarification of whether or not it would create a dual use which is not permitted in a RA zoning district.   An obstacle course is a commercial operation and is not a permitted use in the zoning ordinance.  Also in question is access to the location.  It appears that it would be accessed from a private drive; current access is from a public road (Hile Road) which the owner uses as a private drive.

 

A.4.)  Lake A development appears to be an issue which will need to be addressed sooner than had originally been anticipated.  The owner has reported their firm is approaching the final phases of sand removal from that site and, when that happens, there will need to be a means of making it available for use by the citizens if that is its final disposition. 

 

A.5.)  The wood boiler complaint is still an open issue.

 

A.6.)  Ruthie Lane lighting has been an issue from the outset.  Currently, no lighting is   available to identify the entrance as was originally required.  One residence has installed a light at the entrance to his property and additional lights will need to be addressed as permits for additional homes are applied for.

 

A.7.)  Verizon Wireless has installed a satellite tower on Sullivan Road.

 

A.8.)  A migrant housing ordinance may be required in the future due to the large amount of acreage being dedicated to fruit growing which requires short-term intensive agricultural activity. The current property owner has indicated his intent to adhere to all Federal, State and local ordinances, but it would be prudent to prepare for expansion of this type of operation.  Current crops are somewhat limited due to climate and, generally, are 3-4 months of intensive activity in length.  At present, surrounding townships have limited ordinances regarding this type of operation.

 

A.9.)   There were several educational opportunities that were attended by various members with mixed reviews.

 

A.10.)  Obtaining information for a zoning map update has proved to be more difficult than anticipated. 

 

B.1.)  Election of Planning Commission Board Members:

Tom Anton – Chairman

John Carr – Vice-Chairman

Eloise Jarka – Secretary

B.2.)  Re-print Zoning Ordinance – Revised and reprinted the entire zoning ordinance, including information beneficial to anyone using the ordinance.

 

B.3.)  Planning Commission Membership and Support Staff Changes – The only significant change was in the support area:  David Jirousek is the current LSL representative assigned to Sullivan Township support.

 

B.4.)  Planning Commission Budget – Budgeting dollars have been established based on past expenses.

 

5.  SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARING:  Tuesday, June 12, 2014

 

6. OTHER MATTERS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION:  None

 

7. OLD BUSINESS:  None

 

8. OPEN DISCUSSION FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA:  None

 

9. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED:  None

 

10.  PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBERS COMMENTS:  None

11. REPORT OF TOWNSHIP BOARD REPRESENTATIVE:  None.

 

12. REPORT OF PLANNING CONSULTANT:  None

 

13. NEW BUSINESS:  Next regular meeting date – July 8, 2014; 5:30 p.m.

 

14. SETTING PUBLIC HEARING DATES:   Application for a special land use permit on Thursday, June 12, 2014, at 5:30 p.m.

 

15. OTHER NEW BUSINESS:  None

 

16. MOTION FOR ADJOURNMENT:   The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m. following a motion by Sue Buckner and support by John Carr.  The approval was unanimous.

 

Respectfully submitted:

 

Eloise Jarka, Secretary

Sullivan Township Planning Commission

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MEMO

 

 

TO:                  Beth Sims

 

FROM:           Planning Commission

 

SUBJECT:     Current MDEQ Forms

 

DATE:             June 12, 2014

 

 

 

Beth, would you please verify that the most current MDEQ forms are on file for the Verplank Sand Mining operation and let the Planning Commission know by the July 8, 2014 meeting.  These should all be for the 2014-2015 time frame.

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