MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION,

WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 2002, 7:00 P.M.,

COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

 

1.   Roll Call

PRESENT:  Baker, Garner, Geisler, Senesac, Slicker, Wieland

ABSENT:     Dowling, Kozakiewicz, Svenson

OTHERS PRESENT:  Jon Lynch, Director of Planning & Community Development; Mark Ostgarden, City Planner; Cheri Standfest, Administrative Assistant, and 24 others

2.   Approval of the minutes of the meeting of January 22, 2002

Wieland, seconded by Slicker, moved approval of the minutes of the meeting of January 8, 2002 as presented.  Members discussed the intent of the motion made regarding the closure of Hedgewood Street being to evaluate the potential for closure in the future.  The motion was unanimously approved with no changes to the minutes.

 

3.   Public Hearings

  1. Public Hearing for Zoning Petition No. 485 – initiated by Phil W. Smith, to zone property south of East Lyon Road, north of the railroad tracks, and both east and west of Jefferson avenue form Business C to Industrial A [see transcript].

Citing a potential conflict of interest, Chairman Geisler requested permission to abstain from participating in this matter.

It was moved by Senesac and seconded by Wieland to allow Mr. Geisler to abstain from participating in consideration of this petition.  The vote proceeded as follows:

        YEA:   Baker, Garner, Senesac, Slicker, Wieland

        NAY:   None

        ABSENT:    Dowling, Kozakiewicz, Svenson

        ABSTAIN:       Geisler

       

Chairman pro-tem Senesac opened the hearing.  At the close of this hearing, Mr. Geisler resumed his duties as Chairman of the Commission.

 

  1. Public Hearing for Zoning Petition No. 486 – initiated by the Affordable Housing Alliance of Midland County, to zone property at 3100 Isabella Street from Residential A-1 to Residential B [see transcript]. 

 

  1. Public Hearing for Zoning Petition No. 489 – initiated by Randy B. Harsh, to zone property on the west side of Abbott Road, north of Betsey Drive, south of Alta Court from Residential A-2 to Residential A-4 [see transcript].

 

 

 

4.   Public Comments (not related to agenda items)

None.

 

5.      Old Business

  1. Public Hearing for Zoning Petition No. 482 – initiated by the Planning Commission, to zone property at 1983 Penrod Road (the north side of Penrod Road west of Vance Road) from Township zoning to Residential A-1.  Chairman Geisler introduced the petition and Mr. Lynch provided an overview of the request.  It was noted that Mr. Lynch had a discussion with Dr. Nelson pertaining to street planning in this geographic area.

Commissioners noted that the application of City zoning to this recently annexed parcel was very straightforward.

It was moved by Wieland and seconded by Senesac to recommend approval of Zoning Petition No. 482 to the City Council.  The vote proceeded as follows:

        YEA:   Baker, Garner, Geisler, Senesac, Slicker, Wieland

        NAY:   None

        ABSENT:    Dowling, Kozakiewicz, Svenson

  1. Public Hearing for Zoning Petition No. 483 – initiated by the Planning Commission, to zone property at 1610, 1616, and 1720 North Dublin Road (the east side of Dublin Road north of Airport Road) from Township zoning to Residential A-1.  After receiving an update from Mr. Lynch, the Commission discussed the fact that this application of City zoning to recently annexed property was logical.

It was moved by Wieland and seconded by Garner to recommend approval of Zoning Petition No. 483 to the City Council.  The vote proceeded as follows:

        YEA:   Baker, Garner, Geisler, Senesac, Slicker, Wieland

        NAY:   None

        ABSENT:    Dowling, Kozakiewicz, Svenson

  1. Public Hearing for Zoning Petition No. 484 – initiated by the Planning Commission, to zone property on the east side of Jefferson at Oakbrook Court from Township zoning to Residential A-1.  Again, the Commission felt that this petition was very straightforward.

It was moved by Senesac and seconded by Baker to recommend approval of Zoning Petition No. 484 to the City Council.  The vote proceeded as follows:

        YEA:   Baker, Garner, Geisler, Senesac, Slicker, Wieland

        NAY:   None

        ABSENT:    Dowling, Kozakiewicz, Svenson

 

 

6.  New Business

  1. Discussion of Rules of Order / Parliamentary Procedure

Mr. Lynch noted that the Planning Commission currently operates under Stevenson’s Rules of Order whereas most appointed Boards and the City Council operate under Robert’s Rules of Order and Parliamentary Procedure.  The Commission expressed an interest in amending its Rules of Procedure to reference Robert’s as opposed to Stevenson’s.

Members also noted that Sections 2.6 and 2.7 of the Rules of Procedure are not logical and should be amended.

Mr. Lynch will acquire copies of Robert’s for review by the Commission and will prepare amended language for consideration at a future meeting.

7.  Communications

The latest edition of the Planning and Zoning News was distributed.

8.  Report of the Chairman

      No Report 

9.   Report of the Planning Director

The Director reported on the following matters:

The City Council, during its meeting of February 11th, approved annexation of property north of Oakbrook Court, set public hearings regarding vacation of Hedgewood Street and Madison / Burch Streets, and discussed a new ice arena.

During the February 25th City Council meeting a public hearing regarding Zoning Petition No. 481 (Nick Rapanos) will be conducted.

On February 26th the Commission will conduct public hearings on Zoning Petitions No. 487 and No. 488 (both recent annexations) as well as deliberating over the three items heard on February 12th.

On March 12th the Commission will conduct a public hearing on the Preliminary Plat for Commerce Industrial Park (Nick Rapanos) near Bay City Road and will deliberate over Zoning Petitions No. 487 and No. 488.

Special sessions included the January 24th Access Management seminar sponsored by the Michigan Department of Transportation, the February 2nd annual training day, and the February 6th kick-off meeting with McKenna Associates.

 

10.  Adjourn.

Adjournment at approximately 9:16 p.m. was moved by Wieland, seconded by Slicker, and unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Jon Lynch, AICP

Planning Commission Secretary

 

 

MINUTES ARE NOT OFFICIAL UNTIL APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION