MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION,

WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY, JULY 10, 2001, 7:00 P.M.,

COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

 

1.   Roll Call

PRESENT:    Geisler, Kozakiewicz, Liberto, Senesac, Slicker,  Svenson

ABSENT:      Baker, Garner, Wieland

OTHERS PRESENT:   Jon Lynch, Director of Planning and Community Development; Mark Ostgarden, City Planner; Cheri Standfest, Administrative Assistant; Sally Sutton, ZBA Member, and three others

2.   Approval of the minutes of the meeting of June 26, 2001

Member Slicker noted that contingency number one for relocation of the Rockwell Drive entrance for Site Plan No. 206 should read to the “south” versus to the “north.”

It was moved by Senesac, seconded by Kozakiewicz, to approve the amended minutes of the meeting of June 26, 2001.  The minutes were approved as amended.

 

3.   Public hearings

None.

 

4.   Public Comments

None.

 

5.      Old Business

 

None.

6.  New Business

a.      Discussion of telecommunications ordinance

 

Mark Ostgarden, City Planner, presented the Planning Commission with information pertaining to how the community can regulate telecommunications facilities. The presentation highlighted existing tower locations, current applicable zoning language, and ordinance research.  Ordinance research included exclusion of health hazards as a basis for prohibition, ordinance content, definitions, colocation, public safety, aesthetics, separation, abandonment, and method of permission.  The presentation also touched on the need to draft language that will allow for technology advances.

 

The Planning Commissioners discussed general approaches to regulation and came to the following preliminary conclusions:

 

                                                               i.      Colocation should be a top priority

                                                             ii.      Tower height should be capped but allow for taller towers that will reduce the number of towers needed in the community

                                                            iii.      Towers should not be permitted in residential zones unless a radio frequency study determines that service cannot otherwise be provided to the community

                                                           iv.      In the event towers are placed in residential neighborhoods, greater setbacks should apply

                                                             v.      Opportunities should be provided to evaluate alternative designs to evaluate their aesthetic impact

                                                            vi.      Equipment cabinets should be visually compatible with the zoning district in which they are located

 

Staff will continue to work on this matter and provide the Commission with draft text in the next month.

b.      Discussion of access management ordinance

Jon Lynch, Director of Planning and Community Development, provided the Com-mission with an overview of access management language.  He noted that during the May work session the Planning Commission requested that more detailed draft ordinance language be prepared.

The presentation touched on recent Planning Commission involvement in the issue and the draft ordinance provisions.  He also indicated that proposed language would need to be exposed to technical review, performance review, public input, and formal public hearings.

Each of the following topics was discussed; applicability, number of driveways, design standards, and shared connections.  The Planning Commission concluded that preliminary text should be reviewed by the full Commission in August, when member Baker would be on hand.

7.  Communications

The May edition of Planning & Zoning News was distributed to Planning Commissioners.

Mr. Lynch pointed out that a copy of an e-mail from Mike Misze of 419 Waldo Avenue was forwarded to the Planning Commission.

8.  Report of the Chairman

Acting Chairman Geisler indicated that Chairman Wieland had agreed to chair the officers nominating committee.  Members Slicker and Kozakiewicz volunteered to participate on the nominating committee.  A report by the committee will be presented during the July 23rd meeting.

 

9.   Report of the Planning Director

CITY COUNCIL

ACTION – JULY 9, 2001

Ø      Vacation of walkway at west end of Cones Court

Ø      Approved Zoning Petition No. 476 (Wolverine Bank)

Ø      Approved Site Plan No. 206 (RPF Oil)

Ø      Public hearing scheduled for Zoning Petition No. 479 (August 1st)

 

MEETING JULY 23, 2001

Ø      Public hearing for Zoning Petition No. 477 (Browne)

Ø      Public hearing for Zoning Petition No. 478 (Rapanos)

 

PLANNING COMMISSION

 

MEETING JULY 24, 2001

Ø      Nominating Committee Report

Ø      Business A – Zoning Language

Ø      Driveway Area Zoning Language

 

 

10.  Adjourn.

Adjournment at approximately 8:47 p.m. was moved by Senesac, seconded by Liberto, and unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jon Lynch, AICP

Planning Commission Secretary