MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION,

WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2001, 7:00 P.M.,

COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

 

1.   Roll Call

PRESENT:  Baker, Dowling, Garner, Geisler, Kozakiewicz, Slicker, Svenson, Wieland

ABSENT:     Senesac (previously arranged)

OTHERS PRESENT:  Jon Lynch, Director of Planning and Community Development; Mark Ostgarden, City Planner; Cheri Standfest, Administrative Assistant, and 2 others

2.   Approval of the minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2001

It was moved by Svenson, seconded by Slicker, to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 13, 2001.  The minutes were unanimously approved.

Approval of the minutes of the special meeting of November 8, 2001

It was moved by Slicker and seconded by Baker to approve the minutes of the special meeting of November 8th with a correction.  It shall be noted that the Planning Commission brought up the Waldo Road interchange and a discussion ensued.  The revised minutes were approved (member Svenson abstained, as she was unable to attend the special meeting).

 

3.   Public Hearings

None

 

4.   Public Comments

None

 

5.      Old Business

Zoning Petition No. 480 – the request of Tom McCann and Robert Hitsman to rezone property on the south side of Isabella Street (M-20) west of Vance Road from Residential A-1 and Agricultural to Business B-2.  Mr. Lynch explained that the Planning Commission conducted a public hearing regarding this petition on November 13th.  Only one of the petitioners spoke during the hearing.

Planning Commissioners discussed the configuration of land ownership and the location of zoning district boundaries, in addition to adjacent land uses.  Members felt that the request was supported by the Future Land Use Plan and was very straightforward.

It was moved by Wieland and seconded by Slicker to recommend approval of Zoning Petition No. 480 to the City Council.  The vote proceeded as follows:

YEA:          Baker, Dowling, Garner, Geisler, Kozakiewicz, Slicker, Svenson, Wieland

NAY:          None

ABSENT:   Senesac

 

6.  New Business

Director Lynch provided an overview of issues associated with public notification requirements for various deliberations conducted by the Planning Commission and the City Council.  Differences between existing local ordinance language and applicable State laws were highlighted.  Based on a previous directive of the Planning Commission, draft zoning text was presented that would provide a degree of uniformity to the public notification requirements.

Planning Commissioners determined that property owners and occupants should be notified of public hearings. They also felt that a 300-foot notification radius would be an effective geographic distance for mailed notifications.

Commissioners next engaged in a discussion of notification requirements for site plan reviews.  It was noted that the City Council does not conduct a public hearing on site plan recommendations received from the Planning Commission.  Commissioners discussed a desire to produce a process that provides significant notice of actions on site plans. while not presenting a burden to the project developer.  Staff was directed to provide a calendar outlining approval timelines under several notification scenarios.

7.  Communications

It was noted that Commissioners should have received information pertaining to the Michigan Society of Planning traffic management training sessions.  Members Baker, Dowling, Garner, Geisler, Kozakiewicz, Slicker, and Wieland expressed interest in attending the sessions.

The October 2001 edition of the Planning and Zoning News was distributed.

8.  Report of the Chairman

      No report

9.   Report of the Planning Director

Director Lynch reported on the following matters:

Ø       On November 19th the City Council approved Site Plan No. 209.

Ø       On December 3rd the City Council will set a public hearing date for Zoning Petition No. 480.

Ø       The City Council will consider action on a service agreement with McKenna Associates on December 3d.

Ø       On December 11th the Planning Commission will consider zoning of recently annexed areas.

Ø      Commissioners were asked to bring their calendars to the December 11th meeting so that a date could be established for the February training session.

 

10.  Adjourn.

Adjournment at approximately 8:15 p.m. was moved Svenson, seconded by Wieland, and unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Jon Lynch, AICP

Planning Commission Secretary

 

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION