DRAFT

County  of  Antrim

PLANNING  COMMISSION

Jill Barnard

Al Luurtsema, Chairman

 

Shirley Klunzinger

Joe Allen

Jim Gurr, Vice-Chair

 

Laura Stanek

Barbara Bradford

Alan Martel, Secretary

 

Rick Teague

 

 

 

Minutes

February 2, 2010

7:00 p.m.

Board of Commissioners Room, 2nd Floor, Antrim County Building, Bellaire

 

Members Present:

 

Jill Barnard, Jim Gurr, Barb Bradford, Alan Martel, Al Luurtsema, Rick Teague and Laura Stanek

Members Absent:

 

Shirley Klunzinger and Joe Allen

Advisory Present:

 

Stan Moore

Staff and Others:

 

Joe Meyers, Pete Garwood, Mark Stone, Ed Martel, and David Peterson

 

1.       Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Al Luurtsema.

2.       Public Comment

 

Ed Martel talked about the Boardman River and the politics of dams.  He also suggested having the Master Plan designate the Elk Rapids Dam to always generate power. 

3.       Minutes

 

Motion by Rick Teague, supported by Barb Bradford, to approve the January 5, 2010 minutes as presented.  Motion carried – unanimous.

4.      County Dams

 

Mark Stone, Antrim County Drain Commissioner, joined the meeting and discussed the County Dams.  He gave a brief history of Antrim County’s progress up to now. 

 

Discussion ensued over the County Dam. 

 

Discussion ensued over the Boardman River Projects. 

 

Mark Stone discussed the process of getting the ER Hydro Dam relicensed. 

 

Jim Gurr asked Mr. Stone if it would be helpful to have strong support of the dam in the Antrim County Master Plan.  Mr. Stone indicated that it would be helpful. 

 

Further discussion ensued over the Hydroelectric Dam. 

5.      Review of Master Plan

 

The Commission discussed Chapters 4 and 5 of the Master Plan.  The Commission felt that Section 4 was still relevant to the area. The section on Active Farming should be added to and defined more.

 

Discussion ensued over the population projections.  The Planning Commission asked the Coordinator/Planner office to update the projections. 

 

The Commission will review Chapter 6 for next meeting.

6.      Public/Member Comment

 

Dave Peterson indicated that he was pleased to find out that the County has a “war chest” for Dam maintenance.

 

Barb Bradford spoke on the how Banks Township is refunding Personal Property Taxes.  She also talked about Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Districts.  Discussion ensued over Personal Property Tax.

 

The Commission also discussed the Budget. 

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

 

 

Submitted and Approved

 

 

Alan Martel, Secretary       Date:

Antrim County Planning Commission