MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION,
WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2001, 7:00 P.M.,
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN
1. Roll Call
PRESENT: Baker, Garner, Geisler,
Kozakiewicz, Senesac, Slicker, Rapanos, Wieland
ABSENT: Lind
OTHERS PRESENT: Jon Lynch, Director of Planning
and Community Development; Cheri Standfest, Administrative Assistant, and
20 others
2. Approval
of the minutes of the meeting of May 8, 2001
It was
moved by Senesac, seconded by Baker, to approve the minutes of the meeting of
May 8, 2001. The minutes were approved
as presented.
3. Public
hearings
Zoning
Petition No. 477 the request of Jeffrey and Josephine Browne to
rezone property at 3103 West Wackerly Street (the south side of West Wackerly
Street east of Sturgeon Avenue) from Residential A-1 to Office- Service 2 [see
transcript].
Zoning
Petition No. 478 the request of Nicolaos Rapanos to rezone
property between Bay City Road and Fisher Road west of the US-10 Expressway
from Business B-2 and Agricultural to Business C and Industrial A [see
transcript].
4. Public
Comments
None.
5. Old
Business
Rezoning Petition No. 476 the request of Wolverine Bank to rezone property east of Eastman Avenue
between Denver Street and Bitler Street, and between Bitler Street and Dilloway
Drive from Residential A-1 to Office Service 1.
Jon Lynch provided a brief recap of the information presented during the
public hearing of May 8th. He
noted that Wolverine Bank has filed the zoning petition with a specific land
use in mind, but that the matter before the Planning Commission at this time is
specifically the zoning of property.
During the public hearing, a number of comments regarding site design
were made, but the Planning Commission will consider design issues when a
formal site plan review is conducted.
John Baer of Pumford Construction touched on the Banks proposed zoning
change and site development. Wolverine
Bank has operated at this location for more than 20 years. There are 18 employees at the facility, and
there is a need to add 16 more. The
proposed project will provide additional offices and meeting space. Mr. Baer noted that approximately 20 children
per day cross Eastman Avenue to access Jefferson Middle School. A crossing
guard between 7:20 and 7:50 AM facilitates these pedestrian movements. Bank employees arrive at 8:30 AM, and the
Bank opens for business at 9:00 AM. The
Bank handles approximately 10 customers every 30 minutes.
Cindy Lowery of 1507 Dilloway Drive expressed concern that the Planning
Commission had not discussed the impact of this proposed zoning change on area
property values.
Tom Kullgren of 1305 Dilloway Drive inquired about the depth of an area
designated for office land uses, east of Eastman Avenue, on the Land Use
Plan. Mr. Lynch responded that while the
plan did not provide hard district boundaries or a scale, the requested
zoning change was bracketed on the north and south by existing Office
zoning. The request roughly corresponds
with the existing zoning, but in specific locations both fall short and extend
beyond an imaginary connection of existing districts.
With no further public comments, the Planning Commission deliberated over
the matter. Members inquired about the
possibility of including the parcel at 1618 Dilloway Drive in this request. Mr. Lynch explained that during their
presentation, the petitioner indicated this property owner had been contacted
and declined to be included in the zoning change request.
Commissioners discussed the depth of the requested change, noting that
upon review it was appropriate for the neighborhood and in keeping with the
Land Use Plan. They also discussed the
fact that the site plan would likely prompt additional discussions. Member Baker stated that it is difficult to
separate the zoning matter from the site plan.
It was moved by Senesac and seconded by Geisler to recommend approval of
the requested zoning change.
Vote on the motion:
YEAS: Garner, Geisler,
Kozakiewicz, Senesac, Rapanos, Slicker, Wieland
NAYS: Baker
ABSENT: Lind
6. New
Business
None.
7. Communications
It was noted that the most recent edition of the Planning and Zoning News
had been distributed to Planning Commissioners.
8. Report
of the Chairman
No report.
9. Report of the Planning Director
During the
City Council meeting of May 21st the Council approved annexation of
22.65 acres on Commerce Court / Commerce Drive and appointed James Geisler, Ray
Senesac and Sam Liberto to full terms and Carol Svenson to an unexpired term of
the Planning Commission.
On June 12th
the Planning Commission will address the following matters:
§
Public Hearing on Site Plan #206 RFP Oil for a
3,590 square foot gas station/ convenience store at 4816 Bay City Road
§
Public Hearing on Zoning Petition #479 John Popp
for property between Austin and Bay City Road west of Plumer Street from BC to
IA
§
Public Hearing on the Preliminary Plat of Hearthstone
Estates #3 David Rapanos, 16 lots on
Eastlawn Drive west of Waldo Avenue
Action
§
Zoning Petition #478 54.22 acres between Bay City
Road and Fisher Road (west of US-10) from Business B-2 to Business C and from
Agricultural to Business C and Industrial A
The
Planning Commission would like to address the appointment of officers after new
members are seated. It was determined
that the Director should discuss appointment of officers with the City
Attorney.
10. Adjourn.
Adjournment at approximately 8:20 p.m. was moved by Senesac, seconded by
Geisler, and unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Jon Lynch, AICP
Planning Commission Secretary