DDA Board Minutes

Cascade Charter Township

Downtown Development Authority

Board of Directors

Cascade Museum Building

2839 Thornapple River Drive S.E.

Tuesday, February 15, 2000

7:00 p.m.

Present: Clark, James, Johnson, Julien and Wallace

Absent: Biermacher (with notice), Clay (with notice), LaClaire and Woodrick

Others Present: Patricia Cornelisse, Jay Cravens and John Elliott

ARTICLE 1. Call the Meeting to Order

Supervisor Julien called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m.

ARTICLE 2. Approval of the Agenda

Member James made a motion to approve the agenda as submitted by staff. Member Wallace seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

ARTICLE 3. Approval of the Minutes of November 17, 1999

Member Johnson made a motion to approve the minutes of November 17, 1999 as submitted by staff. Member James seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

ARTICLE 4. Discussion of Old 28^th Street Plans with Pat Cornelisse

Manager Cravens gave a brief overview of the streetscape project, stating the need to resolve the design of the lower entrance wall. He then turned the discussion over to Pat Cornelisse. Pat Cornelisse then referred the discussion over to John Elliott of Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber (FTC&H) to give an update on the plan approval process currently underway with the Kent County Road Commission (KCRC). John Elliott stated the KCRC has given conceptual approval of the streetscape plan. He will be meeting with representatives from Consumers Energy on Tuesday, February 22, 2000 to discuss the removal of excess power poles.

The conversation then centered on the KCRC stating that the deceleration lane on 28^th Street for the right turn onto Old 28^th Street was not necessary. John Elliott felt this was good for the design of the corner. The existing sidewalk could remain largely intact. Member Wallace raised concern about the potential for rear end collisions at this corner, without the deceleration lane. Manager Cravens noted that a properly designed deceleration lane would have to be much longer that the present one.

Pat Cornelisse asked John Elliott to discuss the changes made by KCRC to the lane widths to the lower boulevard entrance. John stated the eastbound lanes would be narrowed from a 14-foot width to a 10-foot width. Correspondingly, the westbound lane would be widened.

Pat Cornelisse then talked about the sizes and types of trees recommended for a street environment. She stated she had consulted with Tom Junio, a tree arborist that has done consulting work for the Township. Tom provided Pat with a recommend tree-planting list that will suggest several varieties of trees to be planted. A variety of trees will avoid any potential disease issues, that a single species planting could be susceptible. Pat stated that she is concerned about the availability of trees at or larger than 2 ½ inches in caliper. Member Wallace suggested that he would be willing to store trees on his property as a "nursery", until the trees could be planted in the village. Trustee Johnson asked about the effects of night light on street trees. Pat stated she has not found a conclusive study on the effects of night light on trees.

Member Wallace mentioned a comment he received from Sandy Kingsland regarding the location of street trees. Sandy suggested that street trees not be planted in the out lawn area (area nearest the street), but on the opposite side. This would eliminate tree loss due to vehicle collisions and provide shade to the pedestrian. Manager Cravens responded that DDA district has lost only one tree to a vehicle accident.

Member Wallace suggested that extra consideration should be given to placing better soils in the tree planting holes. The soils next to the street are very compacted and poorly drained.

The discussion then began on the material options for the walls at the lower street entrance. It was the unanimous opinion of the Board of Directors that the wall material should be split-faced fieldstone. The Board also likes the piers that Pat designed for the proposed walls.

Pat Cornelisse then asked about the feasibility of purchasing a visual easement from the Davis property to preserve the wood lot there. Manager Cravens said he would contact the Township Attorney on this matter. A visual easement is rather unique. Establishing its value may prove a little tricky.

ARTICLE 5. Election of DDA Board Officers

The election of officers took place with the following nominations. Member James nominated Member Wallace to be chairman. Trustee Johnson seconded this nomination. Member James nominated Member Biermacher to be vice-chairman. Trustee Johnson seconded this nomination. Member Wallace nominated Member James as Secretary. Member Clark seconded this nomination.

Supervisor Julien then closed the floor to nominations and suggested all the nominees by elected with one vote for the entire slate. The vote carried unanimously.

ARTICLE 6. Discussion of DDA Rules of Procedure Regarding Attendance

Chairman Wallace asked Manager Cravens about the attendance requirement in the DDA rules of procedure. Manager Cravens stated that the rules of procedure do not have an attendance requirement. He suggested that the township attorney could investigate this matter.

ARTICLE 7. Any Other Business

(None)

ARTICLE 8. Adjournment

On a motion by Supervisor Julien and seconded by Member Clark the meeting was adjourned at 8:31 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Ray James, Secretary