MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE MIDLAND CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY,

FEBRUARY 12, 2013, 7:00 P.M.,

COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

1. Roll Call

PRESENT: Hanna, McLaughlin, Mead, Pnacek, Senesac, Stewart, Tanzini and Young

ABSENT: Heying

OTHERS PRESENT: Brad Kaye, Director of Planning and Community Development, Jeff Burdick, Community Development Planner and two others.

2. Approval of Minutes

Moved by Hanna, seconded by Stewart to approve the minutes of the regular meeting of January 22, 2013. Motion passed unanimously.

3. Public Hearings

a. Conditional Use Permit No. 45 – initiated by NJR Properties to permit a second one-family dwelling on a lot located at 307 Sam Street in a Residential Business zoning district.

Mr. Kaye provided a brief staff overview of the case, explaining that two-family dwellings would be permitted by right but a single family dwelling requires conditional land use approval in the RB zoning district. Commissioner Senesac asked if the proposal meets fire and utility requirements. Mr. Kaye confirmed that it does.

The applicant, Nate Reid, thanked Mr. Kaye for his assistance with this case.

The public hearing was closed.

Chairman Mead asked if the Commission wished to move forward with the case this evening. There was no reply from the Commissioners so it will be brought back at the next meeting for a decision.

4. Old Business

a. 2013 Zoning Text Amendments

Mr. Kaye explained that the zoning amendments had been discussed on two previous occasions. Commissioners had asked for a clean copy of the amendments that they would be voting on to forward to City Council. The packet before them would be the version to appear before the City Council if supported. In response to a question from Mrs. Hanna, Mr. Kaye explained that the airport overlay definition was not being revised, but had not previously been included in the text of the zoning ordinance.

Motion by Pnacek, seconded by McLaughlin to adopt the updates to the City of Midland Zoning Ordinance.

Vote:

YEAS: Hanna, McLaughlin, Mead, Pnacek, Senesac, Stewart, Tanzini and Young

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Heying

Motion passed 8-0.

b. Site Plan No. 314 – initiated by MLR Engineering on behalf of Niche Properties for site plan review and approval for an expansion at the Twilight Motel, located at 4659 South Saginaw Road.

Mr. Kaye provided a brief background on this case, noting that it appeared before the Planning Commission 5 weeks ago. He briefly discussed the concerns of the Planning Commission from the previous meeting and how the applicant has addressed these concerns. A list of concerns still outstanding was presented to the Commission. He noted that a petition regarding this proposal has been initiated by surrounding residents.

Mike Rybicki stated that he would be happy to answer any questions of the Commissioners. There were none.

Chairman Mead invited the residents present to address their concerns.

Norbert Clark, 4679 S. Saginaw Road, Freeland, stated that he lives adjacent to the property. He is concerned about unattended children affiliated with the Twilight Hotel. If families with children move into the new development, they have no recreational areas in which to play.

Jerry Kerns, lives on Bus Road. He handed out the petition of nearby residents that opposes this development. He expressed concern regarding the site’s proximity to Midland Academy and noted that the development would not be beneficial to the area.

Dean Noack represents Mapleton United Methodist Church. He stated that unattended children play in the church’s parking lot, and it is an unsafe situation.

Chairman Mead asked Mr. Rybicki if he wished to respond to the resident’s concerns. Mr. Rybicki stated that he would talk to the owner about possibly putting a playscape in the area between the existing and proposed buildings for children staying in the hotel.

Commissioner Senesac asked Mr. Kaye about his opinion about an additional access point being provided to the site. Mr. Kaye responded that the Planning Department does not prefer an additional access point, however, the County Road Commission has jurisdiction and has issued an entrance permit according to Mr. Rybicki.

Motion by Senesac, seconded by Hanna to table this request so that the applicant can address all outstanding issues of the site plan.

Vote:

YEAS: Hanna, McLaughlin, Mead, Pnacek, Senesac, Stewart, Tanzini and Young

NAYS: None

ABSENT: Heying

Motion passed 8-0.

5. Public Comments

None

6. New Business

None

7. Communications

None

8. Report of the Chairperson

None

9. Report of the Planning Director

Trotter’s Pointe was scheduled to go before the City Council last evening for final plat approval, but was withdrawn from the agenda at the request of the applicant. The applicant intends to alter the on-site storm water detention areas on the cul-de-sac lots to increase the buildable areas on these lots. Provided the applicant provides all required information in a timely manner, it will go back before City Council on February 25, 2013.

10. Items for Next Agenda – February 26, 2013

a. Zoning Petition No. 584 – by Prodo, Inc. to zone property at 400/410 North Saginaw Road from Residential A-1 to Residential B – public hearing

b. Conditional Use Permit No. 45 – action

c. Site Plan No. 314 – action (if ready)

11. Adjourn

Motion by Senesac seconded by Hanna to adjourn at 7:45 pm. .

Respectfully submitted,

C. Bradley Kaye, AICP

Director of Planning and Community Development

MINUTES ARE NOT FINAL UNTIL APPROVED BY THE PLANNING COMMISSION