Planning Commission Minutes

MINUTES

Cascade Charter Township Planning Commission

Tuesday, January 20, 2004

7:00 pm

ARTICLE 1. Chairman Richards called the meeting to order.
Members Present: Jones, Lewis, Logue, MacAllister, McDonald, Richards, Robinson
Members Absent: Goldberg & Koessel (both excused)
Others Present: Planning Director Peterson, Planner Deem, Admin. Assistant Thompson and those listed on Supplement #1.

ARTICLE 2. There being no flag in the meeting room, the Pledge of Allegiance was not recited.

ARTICLE 3. The agenda was approved on motion by Member Lewis and supported by Member Robinson. The motion carried.

ARTICLE 4. The Minutes of the January 5, 2004 meeting were corrected on page 4, last paragraph. The word "keep" was replaced with the word "see". With that correction the Minutes were approved on motion by Member Lewis and supported by Member MacAllister.

ARTICLE 5. Receive and File 2003 Planning Department Annual Report

The annual report was received. Chairman Richards thanked Staff for their work during the last year.

ARTICLE 6. Case #03-2603: Betten Auto PUD
Review of PUD Text Changes

Planning Director Peterson related we discussed the changes at our December 15, 2003 meeting. At that meeting some changes were approved and others were denied. The attachment includes the text which was an attempt to put in words the recommendations from the December 15 meeting. The applicant has had the changes text changes for several days for review and Staff received a call from their attorney today. Their attorney suggested two changes. One on Page 2, Section 15 about the sidewalk Options 1 and 2. The applicant first asked to make changes because they did not want to pay the amount for the sidewalk. Now, they want the second option deleted. Staff does not see that as a problem. The other requested change is to not require a bond for the cost of removing the fence. Staff feels a bond should be required. After the Planning Commission makes a recommendation this will be sent to the Township Board for another public hearing.

Mr. Betten and his architect, James Craig were present. Mr. Betten related he had nothing to add. He related he has made a huge investment with his $500,000 facility in the Township. He believes the bond is for an insignificant amount, a bother and a minor expense.

Planning Director Peterson related the township does require bonds for these sorts of things from other applicants. The bond would be in an amount to cover the cost of removing the fence and placing either a raised curb or grass median between the parking and service drive.

Member Lewis related the bond request from the Township to the applicants came about during a meeting in which there was some negotiation by Commissioners that are not present tonight. Perhaps a Commissioner voted for leaving the fence up as long as the bond was there. Member Lewis related he feels that some of our Commissioners agreed to have the fence remain with a bond. Member Lewis related he prefers to keep the bond in place.

Member Jones asked if the sidewalk has been constructed. Planning Director Peterson responded no, the sidewalk agreement has been executed.

Member Lewis moved that the request to alter the sidewalk agreement be approved and the request to do away with the bond in the amount of $8,550 be maintained as at our last meeting. Member MacAllister supported the motion. The motion carried.

ARTICLE 8. Any Other Business

Planning Director Peterson handed out information on two education programs.

Another handout was an article regarding a court opinion on private sewer disposal systems. Townships are no longer asked to co-sign applications for these types of systems.

Planning Director Peterson related the State Planning Conference will be held Sept. 29 - Oct. 2 in downtown Grand Rapids. The budget would allow for at least two Commissioners to attend.

Member Robinson related there are many cars for sale in the Prevo's development on weekends.

Member McDonald handed out an information sheet on the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. Planning Director Peterson related the township's role is to educate the property owners in Cascade Township about their opportunities for land preservation. The township should not be seen as advocates of one organization but be able to inform residents of organizations and groups that may be helpful to them. The matter will be referred to the Cascade Community Foundation (by way of Members Lewis and Robinson) as that may be something the Foundation would contribute funds to.

Member Lewis addressed the Costco request which will be in front of the Commission in February. Member Lewis will be absent. He related as a member of the Subcommittee, Costco is a worthwhile project to do. And the method of subcommittee has worked well. Over 15 hours has been spent in subcommittee meetings. The project the Planning Commission will see in February is not what they started with. Great progress has been made. What you will see needs a little tweaking here and there, but it does not need a total overhaul. Staff made some presentations on behalf of the township and held tight to our ordinance. The developers as a group worked well on the subcommittee level.

ARTICLE 7. Planning Commission Education
Video Presentation.

A one hour video on urban sprawl was presented.

ARTICLE 9. Adjournment

Member McDonald supported by Member MacAllister moved
to adjourn. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 8:42 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Fred Goldberg, Secretary

FG:MJT

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