SULLIVAN TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
Meeting Minutes 6 April 2026

1. Meeting was called to order 5:31pm by Vice Chairperson Angela Himber.
a. Motion to approve Theresa Van Veelen as secretary for this meeting was made by Angela Himber, seconded by Brian Prow, and all approved.
2. Roll Call:
a. Members present were James Kotecki, Brian Prow, Angela Himber, Theresa Van Veelen, Dave Sorensen. Members absent: Heather Rios and Tom Anton. Guests in attendance:
7 persons including Alexis Gulker from Fresh Coast Planning.
3. Approval of Agenda
a. Motion was made by Dave Sorensen to approve agenda, seconded by Angela Himber, and all approved.
4. Approval of PC minutes from 2 March 2026.
a. Theresa mentioned that the items that she suggested were for future meetings and not necessarily for today. Motion to approve the minutes was made by Brian Prow,
seconded by James Kotecki, and all approved.
5. Public Comment
a. Brian Prow questioned as to whether this comment period should be items on the agenda or items not on the agenda as listed. Alexis Gulker answered saying there is
public comment opportunities during public hearings.
6. New Business
a. Muskegon County Fairgrounds Special Land Use & Annual Update
i. Attending for the fairgrounds were Nathan, maintenance/grounds keeper, Randy Kipers, a forester with Michigan Forestry Company, and Alisha Kantola of the
Fairgrounds committee and county parks and recreation committee.
ii. Alisha introduced the 2026 calendar of events (see submitted calendar) with  potentially one family event and the Haunted Hall not completely confirmed.
One new event, Vintage Market Craft Show, will be for one day in August. Times of the events will be added to the calendar and forwarded to us in an email.
Brian Prow suggested that we could put a link on our township website for the fairgrounds calendar since it is located in our township. There are two main
websites that are used by the fairgrounds: MuskegonFairgrounds.com and Muskegoncountyfair.com. The fairgrounds committee meets at 7pm on the 3rd
Tuesday/month.
iii. Alisha continued to explain the facilities and grounds update (see submitted list). This past year a dump trailer was stolen as well as other vandalism. They added
a gate with lock to a back entrance which seems to be helping to prevent vandalism. If not, the next action may be surveillance and camera possibilities.
A new furnace was installed as well as all the broken water pipes from the freeze damage. Farm Bureau will be donating $40,000 for the new indoor arena with
viewing seating; the new space will also serve as winter storage area. The arena is 80x80x84 with inside dimensions of about 60 x 60. Clifford Buck Construction
are handling its construction which plans are stamped. Some oak trees will need to be removed within the oak wilt restrictions. For the township, the building of
this arena is a special land use approval which will have a public hearing in May or June depending on the speed of public hearing notifications.
iv. Alisha Kantola and Randy Kipers explained that about 26 acres of red pines need to be removed for public safety and for the growth of understory saplings. See
submitted map for the areas of diseased and old red pines to be removed.
v. Alexis Gulker suggested items that needed to be approved. Brian Prow motioned that 1) the red pines be harvested according to proposed map and
their removal doesn’t decrease the 100 foot and 75 foot buffer zone depts, but if it does, more trees must be planted within the buffer zones; 2) to accept the
2026 Calendar of Events; 3) to continue with all proposed updates to the buildings and property with the exception of the new indoor livestock arena
because it will be contingent on a Special Land Use Approval with a public hearing in May or June. Motion was seconded by Dave Sorensen and all
approved.
b. Public Hearing for Accessory Buildings and Detached Garages Language Section 3.08 G2
i. Public hearing opened at 6:15pm and closed at 6:24pm. New township residents Michael & Tracey Weuring were welcomed and they asked if the new
proposed wording is clarifying the meaning and actions of the ordinance of previous years. Angela Himber affirmed that the new changes are clarifying any
word confusion and have the same meaning as past actions. Mary Kotecki suggested that because their parcels are contiguous that they have several
options if they desire some outbuildings. If they had more questions to please contact the township office. Dave Sorensen motioned to recommend approval
of the text amendment as presented to the Board of Trustees, seconded by Brian Prow, and all approved.
c. The process of notifying the public
i. Theresa Van Veelen introduced some areas in the ordinance (see handout) that identify how to notify the public via newspaper, mail, or personal delivery. She
suggested in order to be more transparent perhaps we should put on the notices on our website or also by email. More discussion will occur next month.
d. Parking Lots Made of other materials
i. Theresa Van Veelen suggested that more alternative surfaces could be included in the ordinance instead of solely asphalt or concrete for parking lots. Additional
comments were that any surface should be approved by committee and may possibly have to be ADA compliant depending on where they are located.
7. Old Business
a. Review of Bundled Master Plan Draft and Map
i. Theresa VanVeelen introduced “fodder for thought” as we await a full discussion (see handout and map). Our township has a big portion of Norris Creek
watershed, small amount of Crockery Creek watershed, and small amount of Black Creek watershed. Protecting the watershed perhaps involves having RR or
RA around these waterways. In reflecting with driving lens/glasses, we drive 60 mph or more on Maple Island Road — in six minutes you would be able to drive
from Nunica to Sternberg where we are suggesting a Neighborhood Commercial area. Is this enough rural area in driving along the road? And then in three
minutes you are at the Heights Ravenna NC? Dave Sorensen motioned that we table the Master Plan discussion, seconded by Brian Prow, and approved by all.
b. Correspondence received
i. A draft of the postcard being mailed out by our Parks and Recreation committee to residents to complete a survey.
c. Board Representative Comments
i. Angela Himber presented items from the board meeting:
1. Parmenter O’Toole Lawyers were chosen as our lawyer for township items,
2. Zoning Administration position currently has one application,
3. Stipends for meeting attendance were increased due to cost of living $50/meeting regular members and $75/meeting for chair and secretary,
4. Township office will close at 3pm but during tax season hours will be extended to 5pm otherwise township treasurer’s number is on the door
for immediate contact.
d. Planning Commissioner Comments
i. Brian Prow asked about all the water in the ditches. Other community members mentioned the same and said contacts would be Drain Commissioner and Road
Commission. Angela Himber will take this question to the township board.
e. Open Discussion
i. Alisha Kantola announced that the DNR is offering some grants with a deadline of May 15 through their Urban & Community Forestry Grant program. She also
asked if the fairgrounds could do a survey like the parks and recreation committee is doing through the township.
f. Motion to Adjourn
i. Brian Prow motioned to adjourn meeting at 6:58pm, Theresa Van Veelen seconded, and all approved.

Respectfully Submitted
Theresa VanVeeleln
10 April 2026