MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION,
WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2003, 7:00 P.M.,
COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN
1. Roll Call
PRESENT: Baker, Dowling, Geisler, Max, Mead, Senesac, and Svenson
ABSENT: Kozakiewicz and Wieland (each excused)
OTHERS PRESENT: Jon
Lynch, Assistant City Manager; Mark Ostgarden, City Planner; and one
citizen
2. Approval
of Minutes
It was moved by Geisler and supported by Baker to approve the minutes of
July 22nd. The minutes were unanimously approved as presented.
3. Public
Hearings
Zoning Text Amendment No. 140a – Action initiated by the Midland County Board of Commissioners to amend
the City of Midland Zoning Ordinance by amending Article II to define
Correctional Facility; by amending Article XXX to provide parking standards for
Correctional Facility; and by amending Article XI to list Correctional Facility
as a use permitted via Special Use Permit in the C – Community Zone. [See
transcript]
Special Use Permit No. 11 – Request of Tracy Arthur of Sunny Days Home Daycare, LLC, to operate a
group daycare for 7 to 12 children at 1117 East Ashman Street. Chairman Senesac noted that the applicant had
withdrawn this petition.
4. Public
Comments (not related to agenda items)
None
5. Old Business
Zoning Petition No. 501 – Action initiated by the Planning Commission to zone property located at
1367 and 1419 East Saginaw Road from Township zoning to Business B-2.
Staff reviewed the significant aspects of the zoning and criteria for
evaluating the petition as well as recent recommendations regarding application
of City zoning to area properties. The
Commission requested an opportunity to question Mr. Campbell, the property
owner, about the impending zoning change so Mr. Campbell was invited to attend
the meeting and is present. Staff
outlined the master plan for this geographic area and testimony received during
the public hearing.
Mr. Ronald Campbell of 1367 East Saginaw Road indicated that he had no
preference regarding which zoning classification is applied to the property. He stated that it makes no difference and it
really doesn’t matter what zoning is applied.
Commissioner Geisler stated that it makes most sense to have an Office
Service designation applied to the property versus a commercial classification
given recent zoning recommendations in the area.
Chairman Senesac indicated that he would continue to support the Future
Land Use Plan for this area and feels that a residential zoning classification
should be applied. Such zoning will help
reduce traffic congestion on the main route between Midland and Sanford,
particularly if Stark Road is developed between Saginaw Road and M-20. He noted that Wheeler Street represents a
good model for how residential property near a main road can be effectively
developed.
Commissioner Max agrees with some of these principles but is concerned
about creating numerous non-conforming uses for existing land uses.
Commissioner Svenson expressed some disagreement with these positions and
feels that the area should be zoned for commercial use so as to provide support
to residential development that will occur in the area in the future.
The Commission also discussed the impact that a zoning change will have
on traffic, the nature of transition between residential and commercial uses, and
the range of uses permitted in the office service zones.
A motion was made by Geisler and supported by Baker to zone the area in
Petition No. 501 to Office Service 2.
Commissioner Geisler noted that this recommendation is warranted given
the logical transition of uses it will create, contiguity with the exiting OS-2
Zone in the area, no negative impact on traffic, and consistency with area
zoning.
The vote proceeded as follows:
Yea: Baker, Dowling,
Geisler, Max, Mead
Nay: Senesac
and Svenson
Absent: Kozakiewicz
and Wieland
7.
New
Business
None
8. Communications
It was
noted that Commissioners received the most recent edition of the Planning
& Zoning News. Commissioner
Svenson also pointed out an article on sidewalks in the most recent edition of Michigan
Planner.
9. Report
of the Chairman
Chairman Senesac noted that the annual conference of the Michigan Society
of Planning is scheduled to take place in Traverse City from October 15 to
October 18. Up to three Commissioners
can attend and are encouraged to do so.
The early registration period ends on September 15th so
interest should be expressed fairly soon.
He also invited citizens to attend the special meeting on September 2nd
at 6:00 PM to discuss the draft zoning ordinance.
10. Report
of the Planning Director
o
August 25th – Will set a public hearing for Zoning
Petition #501.
o September 8th – Will conduct public hearings on Zoning Petition #502 and #503.
o August 26th – Will conduct public hearings on Site Plan #230 (Ridgecrest Dr.) and Special Use #12 (Waldo Rd. Church of Christ) and will take action on Zoning Text Amendment 140a (Correctional Facilities)
o September 2nd – Will conduct a public hearing on the draft zoning ordinance beginning at 6:00 PM.
o September 9th – Will take action on Site Plan #230 and Special Use #12.
OUTSTANDING BUSINESS
o
Site Plan No. 220 – Taco Bell WT Development and Nick
Rapanos are continuing to discuss the easement issues.
o
The Planning Department is reviewing Midland
Township’s Master Plan and will be providing written comment to the Township.
o
Encouraged the Planning Commission to begin planning
for the MSP Conference scheduled for October 15-18 at Grand Traverse Resort.
11. Adjourn.
Adjournment at approximately 7:40 PM was moved by Max, seconded by
Svenson, and unanimously approved.
Respectfully submitted,
Jon Lynch, AICP
Assistant City Manager
MINUTES ARE NOT FINAL UNTIL APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION