County  of  Antrim

PLANNING  COMMISSION

Minutes

May 2, 2006

7:00 p.m.

Antrim County Building - Board of Commissioners Room

Members present:

Barb Bradford, Terry Morris, Jim Gurr, Al Luurtsema, Al Martel, Joe Allen and Tom Maleck

Members absent:

Jill Barnard, Marshall Wright, Laura Stanek

Advisory present:

None

Staff and others:

Peter Garwood, Joe Meyers, Sherry Rhoads, Rolland Kotz and Heidi Lang

1.       Meeting called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Al Luurtsema.

2.       Public Comment

None.  

3.       Approval of Minutes

Motion by Barb Bradford, supported by Joe Allen, to approve the minutes of April 4, 2006.  Motion carried – unanimous.

4.       Conflict of Interest Disclosure

Jim Gurr noted that he was a trustee and Planning Commission member for Helena Township but because the Commission only recommended approval, he felt that there was no conflict.

5.       Northern Lakes Economic Alliance

Sherry Rhoads, Northern Lakes Economic Alliance, gave an update on events in Antrim County.  Ms. Rhoads indicated that they were working with numerous companies and municipalities throughout the County and writing grants for the improvements in the County. 

Ms. Rhoads informed the Commission of a Brownfield Grant and that they would like all of the public participation they could get.  Ms. Rhoads indicated that they have a $200,000 grant and would like to help as many Brownfield’s as possible. 

Tom Maleck indicated that there will be a lot of money available to Michigan soon through a program named special competitive initiative.

Further discussion ensued over economic development throughout the County.

6.       Kearney Township Zoning Ordinance Amendments

Rolland Kotz, Kearney Township, explained the ordinance amendments and further explained that the ordinance is a work in progress and felt that these amendments are a step in the right direction. 

Barb Bradford indicated a few changes that she has voiced in the past have not been corrected in the amended ordinance. 

Mr. Kotz indicated that they are working on the ordinance and they are working on all of the other amendments and is hoping to complete them in six months. 

Jim Gurr indicated that he would like the Township to let people know that in the wetland overlay district, there might not be wetlands.

Al Martel noted that he did not like the term “wetland”.

Tom Maleck inquired about building stairs going down to a shoreline protection strip.

Ms. Bradford indicated that she would like commend Kearney Township on the strides they have made towards fixing their Zoning Ordinance.

Motion by Barb Bradford, supported by Joe Allen, to recommend the Kearney Township Board adopt ordinance 2 of 2006.  Motion carried – unanimous.

Motion by Barb Bradford, supported by Alan Martel, to recommend the Kearney Township Board adopt Ordinance 1 of 2006.  Motion carried – unanimous.

7.    Elk Rapids Zoning Ordinance Amendments

Discussion ensued over the amendments. 

The Committee indicated that ordinances need to be amended through adopting another ordinance and this is not in the proper format. 

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Barb Bradford, to recommend the Elk Rapids Township approve the amendments to the Elk Rapids Zoning Ordinance if put into a proper format.  Motion carried – unanimous.

8.    Helena Township Zoning Ordinance Amendments

Jim Gurr explained the amendments to the Helena Township Zoning Ordinance.

Mr. Gurr indicated that the Township is under pressure to adopt ordinances for cell phone towers.

Mr. Gurr noted that the Township would allow towers under 200 feet to eliminate the blinking red light on top.

Tom Maleck indicated that on page 3, section 17.07a, number 3, there was an “of was” that does not make grammatical sense.   

Motion by Tom Maleck, supported by Terry Morris, to recommend the Helena Township Board adopt the Telecommunication Tower part of the Zoning Ordinance with striking the “of was” from page 3, section 17.07a, number 3.  Motion carried – unanimous.

Mr. Gurr indicated that Site Plan Review section was previously in the Zoning Ordinance but when the PUD Section was stricken, the Site Plan Review section went with it. 

Pete Garwood indicated that, to amend an ordinance, you need to pass another ordinance. 

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Barb Bradford to recommend the Helena Township Board adopt the Site Plan Review Section to the Zoning Ordinance with the stipulation that it be put into an ordinance format.  Motion carried – unanimous.  

9.     Soil Erosion, Sedimentation and Stormwater Runoff Control Ordinance (Ordinance)

Heidi Lang and Pete Garwood have a brief history of the ordinance.  Ms. Lang noted that the ordinance is a tool and most large-scale developments use similar guidelines. 

Barb Bradford indicated that she was upset that the Planning Commission has been in the dark on this ordinance. 

Tom Maleck indicated that he liked the direction of the ordinance. 

Jim Gurr indicated that he felt that the ordinance is much more severe than law.

Al Martel noted that the ordinance affected every piece of property in the County and the program is not under the Board of Commissioners control.  Mr. Martel further noted that the ordinance is trying to regulate acts of god. 

The Commission indicated that there are more questions that need to be answered and would like the Board of Commissioners to delay action on the ordinance for one extra month so they can have more questions answered. 

Motion by Tom Maleck, supported by Al Martel, to ask the Board of Commissioners to delay action on the Soil Erosion and Storm Water Runoff Control Ordinance for one extra month.  Motion carried – unanimous.

10.    Communication

 Joe Meyers informed the Commission that there is a Zoning Enabling Act training coming up to educate people on the now act.  Mr. Meyers indicated that he needed to know by Thursday May 4, 2006 so he could go to the Finance Committee to ask for more money.  

11.       Public/Member Comment

Joe Allen indicated that he understood peoples concerns over Soil Erosion but noted that the Board of Commissioners does have full control over the Soil Erosion Officer.

 Al Martel thanked the Commission for their comments but noted that many people cannot go to court.

Jim Gurr noted that he felt that people’s property rights are being taken away.

Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Submitted and Approved

Alan Martel, Secretary       Date:

Antrim County Planning Commission