SULLIVAN TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
& TOWNSHIP BOARD JOINT MEETING MINUTES;

& PUBLIC HEARING MEETING MINUTES

JULY 8, 2014

1. THE MEETING WAS CALLED TO ORDER AT 5:35 P.M. by Vice Chairman Carr.

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

Absent: Tom Anton

Guests: 1 guest (LSL advisor)

3. THE VICE CHAIRMAN REVIEWED THE MINUTES FROM THE MEETING OF JUNE 10, 2014, WHICH WERE TABLED AT THE JUNE 12, 2014, MEETING ANDTHE MEETING MINUTES OF THE JUNE 12, 2014, PUBLIC HEARING : Vice Chairman Carr read the minutes for June 10, 2014. Several changes were requested in the minutes: it was requested that the wording regarding Page 2, Item A.2. (last sentence) be revised to “„ . current access is from an undeveloped public road . ..” and (Page 2, Item A.7.), be revised to:” Verizon Wireless is in the process of installing a satellite tower on Sullivan Road . . . ” Even though the minutes dated September 10, 2013, contained previously approved wording, it was suggested that the word “loaded” be added in the next to the 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. . .” (Page 1, last Paragraph). Sue Buckner made a motion to accept the minutes as revised; Eloise Jarka seconded the motion and it was unanimously approved with revisions.

The minutes from the June 12, 2014, public hearing were then read. Page 1, Item 4, Paragraph 1, Sentences 2 and 3 are to be revised to include: “A portion of the home  (53%) and of the barn (84%) will be dedicated to activities supporting the obstacle  course.”  A typo was noted in Item 4, the second paragraph, last sentence: ” . . . an insurance provider. . .” Sue Buckner made a motion to approve the minutes with these amendments. It was seconded by Jim Kotecki and unanimously approved by the Planning Commission members.

4. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Obstacle Course Site Plan Review Migrant Housing

Fairgrounds

Lake A Development

Obstacle Course Site Plan Review: Jim Kotecki made a motion to table discussion of the Obstacle Course Site Plan review until after the next meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals since the applicant has indicated he will file an appeal to the decision to deny his request for a special use permit. The motion was seconded by Glenn Gustafson and unanimously approved by the Planning Commission.

Migrant Housing: LSL’s representative, who was the only guest at the meeting, advised that recent court cases have determined the Right to Farm Act does not protect all aspects of migrant labor, particularly with regard to migrant housing. It is LSL’s opinion that it would be prudent to research this issue and create an ordinance to control standards for migrant

worker labor camps as they pertain to the intent of the Master Plan as it is becoming a more frequent method of producing and harvesting crops in the township. In the past, crops were planted, cared for, and harvested by local residents; however, with the advent of large-scale farms, a local resident work force of the size required is not available.

Since some residents have voiced concerns about the impact of migrant labor camps for workers living within the Township, it was agreed by Planning Commission members that this should be one of the projects pursued. LSL provided a sample ordinance with a brief explanation to assist the Planning Commission in the creation of an ordinance establishing criteria for migrant housing. It may be allowed as a special use in R/A zoning. Normal, single-family housing regulations regarding health and safety should be included. Annual inspections and permits should be required and vacancy for a stated number of consecutive years should also be identified, at the end of which time the housing should be removed.

In order to avoid incurring large costs for emergency responders, a condition should also be included where charges could be billed back to the property owner/farmer. The reasons for the sample and discussion are to identify the need for an ordinance for Sullivan Township. LSL listed three items that they consider to be important:

#1. Do we want/need some regulations?

#2. What do we think about some of the regulations in the sample?

#3. What should be added or deleted from an ordinance for Sullivan Township?

Both short-term and long-term issues need to be carefully considered. All Planning Commission members will review the sample and discuss it in a future meeting.

Fairgrounds:

Minutes in the Ravenna Independent from the Fair Board indicated the carnival company has decided not to perform at the 4H Fair this year. It was stated in the County Comissioners’ meeting that a beer tent has been approved for the Fair. The County lawyers have stated that the contract for an obstacle course at the Fair posed no problems and the Fair will be held as scheduled. Appropriate permits for improvements are being filed. The Fairgrounds issues were discussed; no action taken.

Lake A:

According to the firm’s representative, Lake A may be available for Township development sooner than predicted due to unanticipated improvement in the economy. The Planning Commission will verify that current copies of all MDEQ permits are on file in the business office.

Liability was brought up as an issue for clarification when the Board decides whether to develop Lake A or not. A committee to explore any funding through available grants needs to be formed; this requires a Parks & Recreation Plan to be eligible to apply for any grants.

Most plans and issues should be clarified prior to accepting the property and developing it. The Township Board will need to act on this.

1. 5.   SCHEDULED PUBLIC HEARING: None: The Site Plan Review for the Obstacle Course was tabled indefinitely until after the next Zoning Board of Appeals meeting. Since both the Planning Commission and the Township Board have denied the Special Use application, there is no requirement for a Site Plan Review and it should be canceled. (Per LSL’s advice, the ordinance should be amended to clarify this issue. (Chapter 14.04.B)
2. 6.   OTHER MATTERS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION: None