A
regular meeting of the Charter Township of Oxford Planning Commission held
Members Present:
Members Absent: Lepping
Also Present: Planner Lopatin of Carlisle/Wortman, Planning &
Zoning Coordinator Walkaus, Recording Secretary Harrison, Cable TV Cameraman, and
approximately 5 visitors.
The
meeting was called to order by Chairman Silvester at
RESPECTS
TO THE FLAG
NOTING
OF ROLL
Recording
Secretary noted that Secretary Lepping would be absent tonight and for the
APPROVAL
OF AGENDA
Fitchena moved,
Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 Absent:
1
Motion
Carried
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Planning Commission Regular Meeting –
Black moved, Berger seconded to
approve the Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of
Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 Absent: 1
Motion
Carried
CITIZENS’ COMMENTS ON ITEMS NOT SCHEDULED FOR PUBLIC
HEARING OR ON AGENDA
No Citizen’s Comments on items not on the Agenda were
given.
COMMISSIONERS’
COMMENTS, INFORMATION FROM ZONING ADMINISTRATOR AND COORDINATOR
Commissioners’
Comments:
Commissioner Roesner noted an article in the Zoning News, page 7, entitled “Manufacturing Housing - Constitutional
Challenge”. The courts upheld the
right of a Township to keep a parcel’s current zoning. In this case there was a proposal to rezone a
parcel from Agricultural to a higher density.
Chairman Silvester noted the memo from Deputy
Supervisor
PC and ZBA
Coordinator Comments:
Coordinator Walkaus noted that the Zoning Map has been
put on the website and the 2003 Planning Commission schedule has been dropped. The paths to screens has changed slightly:
206 will be the first screen and a click
is required advance to the “2005 Schedule”, where it scrolls through 2005 and 2004.
The Master Plan and Roads Master Plan pricing has been
established. The Master Plan hard copy is
$25 and the CD $10. The Roads Master
Plan hard copy is $17 and the CD $10. Chairman Silvester added that both plans are
also available on the website.
Zoning
Administrator Comments:
Zoning Administrator Darling was not present for comment.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Chairperson
Chairman
Silvester opened the nominations for Chairperson of the Planning Commission for
2006.
Fitchena moved,
Berger seconded to nominate
There being no
further nominations, Chairman Silvester called for a Voice Vote:
Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 Absent: 1
Motion
Carried Silvester
elected
Vice-Chairperson
Chairman
Silvester opened the nominations for Vice Chairperson of the Planning
Commission for 2006.
Black moved,
Fitchena seconded to nominate Todd Bell for Vice-Chairman of the Planning
Commission for 2006. It was noted that Commissioner Bell has not
served for a full year which is a Bylaw (section 2.1.c) requirement, and so is
not eligible. Black withdrew the
nomination, Fitchena withdrew support.
There being no
further nominations, Chairman Silvester called for a Voice Vote:
Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 Absent: 1
Motion
Carried Berger elected
Secretary
Chairman
Silvester opened the nominations for Secretary of the Planning Commission for
2006.
Roesner moved,
Curtis seconded to nominate Tom Lepping for Secretary of the Planning
Commission for 2006.
There being no
further nominations, Chairman Silvester called for a Voice Vote:
Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 Absent: 1
Motion
Carried Lepping
elected
PUBLIC HEARING(S)
None
OLD BUSINESS
SITE PLAN REVIEW (3) – RLM Industries Inc.
– Parcel # 04-09-300-027 - Applicants: Lou Verville, 100 Hummer Lake Road,
Oxford, MI 48371, Ron Lamothe, 3500
Hosner, Oxford, MI 48371 – Proposed Use:
COLD STORAGE WAREHOUSE – Tabled from June 23, 2005, July 14, 2005 and October
27, 2005
Jim Wilson,
Commissioner Bell commented that a soil boring was
requested in the Engineers review letter dated 10/13/05 but did not see a soil
boring report in this meeting’s packet.
There was concern about the percolation rate of the soil in the
detention area. Mr. Wilson responded that they will do a boring once they receive site
plan approval. Mr. Wilson was made
aware that this information is required.
If the soil boring results are not
adequate (per Engineer’s review) after site plan
approval, he will have to appear before the Planning Commission to change the
site plan.
Black moved, Fitchena seconded to approve the site
plan of RLM Industries, parcel #04-09-300-027, contingent upon the soil
borings.
Discussion – Commissioner Berger commented that the motion
should state the soil boring results need to meet with Engineer approval. The Engineers review letter dated 1/3/06 was
then discussed. It was agreed that a
fence around the detention basin was not needed, the trees removed would not
have to be replaced, any wetland on the actual site would be added to the site
plan, and the applicant will provide proposed contours for the safety
path. Commissioner Bell added that a letter was received from the
Black amended the motion, Fitchena re-supported to
approve the site plan of RLM Industries, parcel #04-09-300-027 contingent upon
items 3, 4, 7, & 8 of the Engineer’s review letter dated 1/6/06.
Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 Absent: 1
Motion
Carried
NEW BUSINESS
PRE-APPLICATION
CONFERENCE (2) (WORKSHOP) –
Tony Serra, the
Architect, represented the owner and presented a new site plan for the proposed
Oxford Crossing project. He noted they
added a drive around the project to service product loading/unloading and the
refuse area. They have also made the
south side (facing Meijers) and north side (facing
Commissioner
Bell complimented Mr. Serra on a very nice plan. He has taken items and suggestions discussed
at the past meetings and incorporated them into this new plan. Commissioner Black concurred and added he
liked the building front being on the south side facing Meijers. Commissioner Berger stated that the elevation
changes were well done to present a building that would look good from all
sides.
Commissioner
Roesner commented that the north elevation still appears to be the back of the
building only enhanced and the true front of the building remains to be the
south elevation. She maintains that the
front and emphasis of the building be on
Chairman Silvester agreed with Commissioner Berger and
said Mr. Serra had done exactly what they had asked and by having the entrances
in the back and having it wrap around the building has taken care of the truck
loading issue. The next step would be to
present a Preliminary Site Plan with a Public Hearing. Coordinator
Walkaus said she will schedule that for the February 23rd meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS
AND/OR COMMITTEE REPORTS
Violations
Report
There
were no comments on the current Violations Report. Commissioner Roesner noted bright flood
lights at the bottom of the hill on
Sub
Committee Reports
Acreage/Lot
None noted.
Gravel Inspection Sub Committee
Committee Member Curtis commended Committee Member
Black on his leadership through the inspections on December 15, 2005.
Commissioner
Roesner asked about berm requirements and why all the gravel pits did not have
them as noted on the Inspection Reports. Committee Member Black responded to each question
regarding each location. Commissioner Roesner also commented on the
responsibility of the gravel companies to maintain the roads in front of them
daily, noting that this is not being done.
Chairman Silvester directed her to contact Zoning Administrator Darling
regarding both issues for enforcement.
Ordinance Review Sub Committee
Committee Member Silvester said they should be able to
present Articles 1, 2 & 3 to the Planning Commission at the next meeting
for review. The Attorney is currently
reviewing Articles 4, 5, 6 & 9. The
sub-committee has 7, 8, and 10 to go over at their next meeting and will
discuss 11, 12 & 13. Planner Lopatin
commented that he has created a tracking system so that everyone can see where
they are at. Mr. Silvester asked that
when the Planning Commission gets the Articles, they review them before the
meeting and come prepared with any comments to make this a more time efficient process.
Reports from Representatives to Other Township
Boards/Committees
Polly Ann Trailway Commission
Committee Member Roesner reported that the bridge span
will not be completed until spring because they could not get concrete poured
before winter.
Professional Services Committee
Committee Member Bell said they had their first
meeting in December. At yesterday’s
Township Board meeting, the committee was directed to write a request for
applications from qualified Engineers.
They are seeking to weigh the options of hiring someone in-house as
opposed to contracting with an outside company.
Safety Path Committee
Committee Member Fitchena reported that they have not
yet had a meeting but wanted to comment on the Roads Committee which had an
extensive meeting last night. She
mentioned that there are roads within the Township that need attention because
of the health and welfare of the public and that
Commissioner Curtis is also a member of the Safety
Path Committee and he and Ms. Fitchena can call a meeting which they will do.
Water and Sewer Committee
Committee
Chairperson Roesner noted their last meeting was held January 5th. Contracts have been signed for water system
improvements, and work is ongoing. The
water tower is scheduled for spring.
Water treatment plants should be on-line by fall. She commented that she gets status report from
the Engineer summarizing all the projects and can e-mail the report to anyone
who would like to see it.
Chairman
Silvester mentioned an REU report he received from Mr. Darling regarding sewer
noting how many
Commissioner Bell asked who establishes tap fees. The response was the Township Board using
data collected by the Water & Sewer Committee.
ZBA
No meeting was held this month.
TOWNSHIP PLANNER’S REPORT – CARLISLE/WORTMAN
ASSOCIATES
Planner Lopatin had nothing to report
BILLS
Carlisle/Wortman
Invoice 26100 for the period ending 12/31/05 in the amount of $2,212.50.
Commissioner
Bell asked about two items on the invoice that he feels should be reimbursable
from the applicants. Chairman Silvester
commented that yes, the applicants are responsible and the amounts should come
from a T&A account.
Black moved, Berger
seconded to approve Carlisle/Wortman Invoice 26100 for the period ending
12/31/05 in the amount of $2,212.50.
Chairman Silvester said that the two amounts, $105.00
for the
Black amended
the motion, Berger re-supported to approve Carlisle/Wortman Invoice 26100 for
the period ending 12/31/05 in the amount of $2,072.50.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes:
Nays: 0
Absent: Lepping
Motion
Carried
Commissioner Roesner commented what happens if a
T&A account was not established which is usually the case for
pre-applications and the applicant chooses not to pursue their request. Chairman Silvester responded that the
applicant has two choices, not to talk to the Planner unless they pay them
directly, or to set up a T&A account.
This is something that needs to be addressed by the Building Department
and Chairman Silvester will e-mail Mr. Darling to find out what procedure is.
Carlisle/Wortman
Invoice 26102 for the period ending 12/31/05 in the amount of $1,590.00.
Commissioner Black commented that they have allocated
$39,000 for Ordinance Review and have already spent $15,000, will it be on
budget? Planner Lopatin responded that
he is confident that it will and explained why.
Black moved, Fitchena
seconded to approve Carlisle/Wortman Invoice 26102 for the period ending
12/31/05 in the amount of $1,590.00.
Roll Call Vote:
Ayes:
Nays: 0
Absent: Lepping
Motion
Carried
ADJOURNMENT
Black moved, Berger seconded to adjourn the meeting at
8:48 pm.
Ayes: 8 Nays: 0 Absent: 1 Motion
Carried
______________________________ ____________________________
Donald T. Silvester, Chairman Tom Lepping,
Secretary
Date approved: 01/26/2006
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