Planning
Commission Minutes
MINUTES
Cascade Charter Township Planning Commission
Monday, January 5, 2009
7:00 p.m.
ARTICLE 1. Chairman McDonald called the meeting to order at 7:01
p.m.
Members Present: Hammond, Logue, McCarthy, McDonald, Pennington,
Robinson, Sperla, Waalkes
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Township Planning Director Peterson, Lynee Wells of
Williams & Works, Recording Secretary Hern, and Members of the
Public.
ARTICLE 2. Chairman McDonald led the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag.
ARTICLE 3. Chairman McDonald requested a motion for the approval of
the January 5, 2009 agenda with the removal of Article 4: Approval of
the December 15, 2008 Minutes. The December Minutes were not included
within the Commissions' packets. Chairman McDonald requested that
Article 4 be replaced with a brief Public Comment period since there
are members of the public in attendance this evening.
Member Lewis motioned to approve the January 5th Agenda with the
removal of Article 4: Approval of the December 15, 2008 Minutes and
replaced with a Public Hearing, supported by Member Sperla. All in
favor with none opposed, the motion carried.
ARTICLE 4. General Public Comment.
Chairman McDonald noted there are no formal cases on the agenda this
evening and the Planning Commission would like to present an
opportunity to hear from the Members of the Public in attendance.
Member Robinson motioned to open the Public Hearing, supported by
Member Waalkes. All in favor with none opposed: Public Hearing opened.
There were no Members of the Public who addressed the Commission.
Member Robinson motioned to close the Public Hearing, supported by
Member Logue. All in favor with none opposed: Public Hearing closed.
ARTICLE 5. Presentation of the Septic Study from 2006
Planning Director Peterson noted that during the Master Plan
process, the 2006 Septic Study has been referred to frequently. There
are many new members of the Planning Commission and Staff thought it
would present the study to the Commission.
The Township reviewed the septic failures in the Township from 1994
to 2005 and at the time.
Approximately 82% of the households have septic systems. During
this period we found 288 failures. These failures are determined as
failures by the Kent County Health Department and averages
approximately 25 failures in the Township per year.
Some of the other information we learned fro the data included; the
average age of a septic system at failure is 21 years. The Township
has had failures in systems ranging in age from 1-year old to 50-year
old systems.
Member Waalkes asked if the data includes households that had
systems close to failing and elected to either connect to public
utilities or put in a new system and Planning Director Peterson said
the data only reflects actual failed systems.
The cost of a new septic system averaged approximately between
$3,500 and $6,000. If it was a mounded system it costs between $10,000
and &12,000. Maintenance of a septic system is approximately $300.
The approximate cost to connect to public sewer/water would be
approximately $10,000 including a plumber to connect the house.
Planning Director Peterson showed a map of the Township septic
failures during the 1994 through 2005 period of the study noting that
the different colors refer to the different ages of the failed
systems.
The study has been useful over the years and is being cited in the
development of the new Master Plan.
Planning Director Peterson also noted the Building Permits and the
number of permits issued through 2003 to 2006 was 485. The Township is
issuing more permits for homes with water and sewer than on well and
septic.
Planning Director Peterson also referred to a map of the Township's
current water and sewer lines.
Member Pennington asked if most of the public connections are
driven by Special Assessment Districts or by the developers and
Planning Director Peterson said developer driven extensions.
ARTICLE 6. Consider Recommendation of Draft Master Plan to Township
Board for Public Comment.
Planning Director Peterson noted the overview of the new Master
Plan that was presented at the December 15, 2008 Planning Commission
Meeting. The Commission has provided comments regarding the draft of
the Master Plan and those comments have been included within the
draft. At this evening's meeting, staff is requesting a recommendation
from the Planning Commission to the Township Board to distribute the
Master Plan to the surrounding cities and townships beginning the
63-day review period. Once the comments have been received from the
surrounding communities, the Master Plan would come back before the
Planning Commission for the Public Hearing that is scheduled for March
23, 2009.
Lynee Wells of Williams & Works was present and presented a
Comments and Responses matrix to show how we have addressed the
comments heard at the past meeting.
It is important to remember that the Master Plan is not completed,
nothing is set in stone and there are opportunities to provide
additional changes and changes can still be made this evening.
Ms. Wells reviewed the comments on the matrix:
Member Sperla asked if the Master Plan addresses storm water
disposal, he did not see it. Ms. Wells said that concern did not arise
amongst the various focus groups and committee meetings. Storm water
is lightly addressed under Sustainability and could be controlled with
new development with bio-swales, green roofs, etc. Planning Director
Peterson suggested adding a reference to the Township's Storm Water
Plan and under the Capital Improvement Program. Member Sperla also
requested the reference be added under Utilities and Ms. Wells agreed
as well.
Member Lewis asked if the concerns, such as: maintenance, capacity,
safety factors, regarding cell towers and co-located antennas should
be addressed in the Master Plan? Chairman McDonald believes the
ordinance does control the issues and Member Lewis believes the
ordinance should be reviewed. Planning Director Peterson suggested
that we look at that in connection with the wind turbine issues that
have come up.
Ms. Wells said she would like to add the information regarding cell
towers, helipads, wind turbines under the section Amending the Zoning
Ordinance on Page 101 and also under Sustainability on Page 111.
Member Sperla motioned for a recommendation to the Township Board
to distribute the Master Plan for public comment, with the revisions
and additions made this evening. All in favor with none opposed.
Motion carried.
Ms. Wells clarified that the Planning Commission would be reviewing
the Master Plan after the 63-day public review period.
ARTICLE 7. Work Plan for 2009.
Planning Director Peterson said he would like to use the new Master
Plan as the basis for the 2009 Work Plan. Staff has outlined items
they would like to begin working on and developing.
Staff is open to discussion regarding the 2009 Work Plan.
Member Lewis questioned if a building's elevations should be
included and Planning Director Peterson said he would add that item.
Chairman McDonald stated it would be helpful to develop
sub-committees for some of the items as they are worked on.
ARTICLE 8. Planning Department 2008 - Annual Report
Planning Director Peterson noted that the number of project within
the Township is down. Some items not listed that have been completed
are the grant application, the master plan, Centennial Park.
Member Robinson noted that there are two (2) secretaries listed in
2008 and Robinson should be changed to Vice-Chair.
Member Robinson also noted that some of the cases take more work
than others such as complicated P.U.D.'s.
Member Hammond asked if there are any new projects coming into the
Township and Planning Director Peterson said it has slowed down
cosdierelby. We do not have any new significant projects coming in
right now, although we did just have a site plan subcommittee for a
new project that you will see at your next meeting.
Member Sperla asked if the Township has a requirement as to when a
project be completed and Planning Director Peterson said no. Chairman
McDonald noted that money is needed to complete the projects and the
economy is a challenge.
ARTICLE 9. Election of Officers
Member Lewis submitted the following as Officers of the Planning
Commission:
Member Robinson, Chairman
Member Waalkes, Vice-Chairman
Member Sperla, Secretary
Supported by Member Logue.
Chairman McDonald requested any other Officer nominations. There
were none. All in favor with none opposed. Motion carried.
Member Lewis motioned that Member McDonald be appointed as the
Zoning Board of Appeals representative, supported by Member Robinson.
Member Robinson requested a vote. All in favor with none opposed.
Motion carried.
Planning Director Peterson noted a representative needs to be
appointed to the Village Design Review Committee.
Member Lewis motioned that Member Hammond be the representative for
the Village Design Review Committee, supported by Member Sperla. All
in favor with none opposed. Motion carried.
ARTICLE 10. Any Other Business
Chairman McDonald opened the meeting for any other business. There was
no other business of the Planning Commission.
Chairman McDonald noted that Staff has distributed a Planning
Commission roster and requested any updates to contact information be
made to the document. Staff will update the roster and distribute the
new information.
Chairman McDonald also noted that Member Koessel was an invaluable
member of the Planning Commission and has dedicated himself to the
Township. He recommended having a certificate or Resolution be made
for Member Koessel. Member Lewis fully supported Chairman McDonald's
recommendation and Staff will develop.
Member Lewis thanked Chairman McDonald for his years of leadership
as Chair of the Planning Commission
ARTICLE 11. Adjournment
Chairman McDonald requested a motion for adjournment.
Member Hammond supported by Member Sperla moved to adjourn. The
motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 9:14 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
John Sperla, Secretary
Lisa Hern, Recording Secretary
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