A regular meeting of the Charter Township of Oxford Planning Commission held Thursday, April 13, 2006, at the Oxford Veterans Memorial Civic Center.

 

Members Present:      Bell, Black, Curtis, Fitchena, Kucemba, Lepping, Roesner, Silvester

 

Members Absent:      Berger

 

Also Present:             Planning & Zoning Coordinator Walkaus, Recording Secretary Harrison, approximately 4 visitors, (no cameraman)

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Silvester at 7:30 pm

 

RESPECTS TO THE FLAG

 

NOTING OF ROLL

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Per the applicant’s request, Old Business 9 (a) Oxford Crossing will be removed from the Agenda and 9 (b) will become 9 (a).

Roesner moved, Black seconded to approve the April 13, 2006 Agenda as amended.

                  Ayes:   8              Nays:  0           Absent:  1               Motion Carried

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Planning Commission Regular Meeting – March 23, 2006

Black moved, Fitchena seconded to approve the Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of March 23, 2006 as presented.

                  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 Curtis noted that he attended a meeting for the townships of Addison, Orion and Oxford, who in conjunction with Oakland University, will compile data from a door-to-door survey to see if there would be interest in a joint Senior Center.  Commissioner Fitchena elaborated that each Township has a Center now but they are costly to run and only get a handful of attendees.  What would like to be achieved is a scaled down version of OPC in Rochester.  

Commissioner Curtis noted roofing and siding work being done on the new law office of Attorney Reasoner at 912 S. Lapeer Rd., (site plan approved 2/22/06 Planning Commission meeting).  So far the work does not require a permit.

Commissioner Black and Secretary Lepping attended a Michigan Right to Farm Act seminar and noted some of the topics discussed.

Chairman Silvester commented on the memo from Attorney Rentrop’s office dated April 7, 2006 and information received on “New Zoning Enabling Workshops”.  He encouraged the Commissioners to attend one of the workshops since procedures will be changing July 1st (information in tonight’s packet).

PC and ZBA Coordinator Comments:

Zoning Coordinator Walkaus asked that the Commissioners update her with their attendance at forums, seminars, etc.

Coordinator Walkaus reminded the Commissioners of the Joint Township and Village Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, April 18 th at 7:00 pm., regarding the Lake Shore Village project. 

Coordinator Walkaus reported that she spoke to MDEQ regarding the recent public hearing for Cherry Ridge site condominium. Their determination should be available by July 6th and there is a possible wetland violation on the site.  Chairman Silvester gave direction that no permits be issued until the determination is received.

The adopted copy of the REU Report from the Drain Commissioner is in tonight’s mailbox.

 

Zoning Administrator Comments:

On behalf of Zoning Administrator Darling, Coordinator Walkaus reported there are a couple of lot splits and/or combinations in process.

 

PUBLIC HEARING(S)

None

 

OLD BUSINESS

REQUEST FOR EXTENSION OF FINAL SITE PLAN – (Expired) from March 10, 2006 until March 10, 2007 – Multi-Tenant Industrial Building (Parcel #04-16-276-007) Applicant:  Robert J. Harvey,
3025 Mullins Court, Oxford, MI  48371 – Original Site Plan approved March 10, 2005

Mr. Steven Shepman spoke on behalf of Mr. Harvey who was in the audience.  They are requesting their approved site plan that expired be extended for a year.  It is Mr. Harvey’s intention to commence construction as soon as possible.  There is one administrative issue they need to resolve before scheduling a preconstruction meeting.

Chairman Silvester questioned why they let it expire before requesting an extension.  Mr. Shepman replied that they have been in discussion with the Township Engineer over revised comment letters and additional requirements.  He commented, not to lay blame, but were in the process of addressing those matters and wasn’t aware they were nearing the expiration date.  Mr. Wilson, the Architect, was present and stated they applied for the extension on March 10th the actual expiration date but could not be put on the Agenda until today.  Chairman Silvester commented that Mr. Wilson does a lot of projects in the Township and suggests he doesn’t let anymore expire.

Commissioner Roesner commented that they have been seeing a lot of requests for extensions and the Commission needs to keep in mind that the Ordinance is being re-written and this will need to be considered when reviewing extension requests come October/November.

Commissioner Bell asked if there were any unusual conditions to the site plan?  Zoning Coordinator Walkaus replied that the site plan was approved with two entrances, the constructions plans now only have one entrance on Lapeer Road which has been approved by MDOT (Mr. Shepman had a letter noting the approval).  This issue was bought up at the 2/9/06 PC meeting and an amendment was made to the site plan administratively.

Commissioner Curtis commented on the number of extensions that have come before the Commission recently.  It is his opinion that these requests are not due to any fault of the Township and that a developer who is spending millions of dollars on a project, should be aware of every due date.

 

Black moved, Fitchena seconded to extend the Multi-Tenant Industrial Building, parcel #04-16-276-007, for a period of one (1) year until March 10, 2007.

 

Discussion:  Commissioner Bell suggested that motion be amended to take the words “for a period of one (1) year” out since March 10, 2007 is less than a year from now.

 

Black amended the motion, Fitchena re-supported to take the “period of one (1) year” out.

                  Ayes:   8              Nays:  0           Absent:  1               Motion Carried

 

NEW BUSINESS - None

COMMUNICATIONS AND/OR COMMITTEE REPORTS

Violations Report

Violations Report dated April 4, 2006 was included in the packet.  Chairman Silvester directed the Commissioners to direct any questions or comments toMr. Darling.

 

Sub Committee Reports

Acreage/Lot Split Sub Committee - Zoning Coordinator Walkaus commented that she now receives e-mail on Fridays from the IT department in Oakland County which notes all the splits and combinations that occurred during the prior week.

 

Gravel Inspection Sub Committee – Committee Member Black had nothing new to report.

 

Ordinance Review Sub Committee – Committee Member Bell reported that Article 6 was presented to the Township Board, they had one correction and one suggestion.  The Committee will now be reviewing Articles 12 and 13.  The Township will be getting Articles 7, 8, and 9 at their next meeting; Article 10 is at the Attorney and 11 will be going to the Attorney.

 

Reports from Representatives to Other Township Boards/Committees

Highway Roads Committee - Representative Fitchena reported that they have not had a meeting.  At this point, Chairman Silvester discussed the letter from Serra & Associates regarding Oxford Crossing.  It appears that the Oakland County Road Commission informed the applicant that there is a 120 foot road right-of-way.  There was much concern among the Commissioners that this has not been bought up until now and does not appear on any plans (Meijers, the gas station, etc).  Chairman Silvester requested Barb and Mike to try and find something that shows this right-of-way other than the Roads Master Plan.  It should be the applicant’s responsibility to figure this out, but the Commission also has to have some answers.

 

Polly Ann Trailway Commission – Trustee Ferrari is now the Representative and this item can be taken off future Planning Commission Agendas.

 

Professional Services Committee – Representative Bell reported they received seven (7) quotes from Engineering firms and five (5) of those will be presented to the Township Board on April 25th.  He also noted that eventually they will possibly be looking for an in-house Engineer as well.  The plan would be to have municipal projects done by the Engineering firm but reviewed by the in-house engineer.

 

Safety Path Committee – Representative Fitchena reported that they have not had a meeting.  She suggested they request a monthly report from Mr. Ferrari who does the scheduling.

 

Water and Sewer Committee – Representative Roesner updated the Commissioners on the system improvements.  She noted that the Committee recommended to the Township Board to pursue the purchase of the Lake Villa water system which would supply the capacity needed and complete the system loop.  She noted the Committee also recommended to the Township Board that entities be billed a capital usage charge per REU assigned, currently a mobile home park or commercial building is being charged the same as a homeowner.  She stated a booster station is needed to fill the Oxford Road water tower and that the Township needs to acquire land on East Market Street for this.

 

ZBA – Representative Roesner reported on an issue voted on at their recent meeting.  An applicant requested to put a house on two lots off a lake access/roadway down Maloney Road.  The ZBA members made a motion to allow the construction as long as the applicant can prove the access is public (the Ordinance states “public” road, not “approved public” road.  She noted other conflicts with this request, one being a sewer REU assignment.  The Commissioners expressed concern regarding this decision.  Chairman Silvester asked Barb to make sure a building permit is not issued before the next Planning Commission meeting when this can be discussed with Mr. Darling.

 

TOWNSHIP PLANNER’S REPORT – CARLISLE/WORTMAN ASSOCIATES - None

 

BILLS

Carlisle/Wortman Associates Invoice 26400 dated 4/1/06 in the amount of $1,890.00

Black moved, Curtis seconded to approve Carlisle/Wortman Associates Invoice 26400 dated 4/1/06 in the amount of $1,890.00.

Roll Call Vote:

                  Ayes:  Bell, Black, Curtis, Fitchena, Kucemba, Lepping Roesner, Silvester

                  Nays:  None

                  Absent:  Berger

                  Motion Carried

 

Carlisle/Wortman Associates Invoice 26402 dated 4/1/06 in the amount of $1,715.00

Black moved, Curtis seconded to approve Carlisle/Wortman Associates Invoice 26402 dated 4/1/06 in the amount of $1,715.00

Roll Call Vote:

                  Ayes:  Bell, Black, Curtis, Fitchena, Kucemba, Lepping Roesner, Silvester

                  Nays:  None

                  Absent:  Berger

                  Motion Carried

 

 

 

 

 

ADJOURNMENT

Black moved, Bell seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 pm.

                  Ayes:  8               Nays:  0           Absent:  1               Motion Carried

 

 

 

______________________________                                        ____________________________

Donald T. Silvester, Chairman                                                               Tom Lepping, Secretary

 

 

Date approved:        05/11/2006          

 

lmh