A Joint Special Meeting of the Charter Township of Oxford Planning Commission and the Village of Oxford Planning Commission held Tuesday, April 18, 2006 in the Oxford Village Community Room, 20 W. Burdick, Oxford, MI  48371

 

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

Members Absent:      None.

Also Present:             Village Planning Commission (Duval, Stiles, Donovan, Cervenak, Sands, Ziegelbaur, Schultz), Township Planner Lopatin, Village Planner McKenna, Planning & Zoning Coordinator Walkaus, Cable TV Cameraman, and approximately 11 visitors.

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Silvester at 7:01 pm

 

RESPECTS TO THE FLAG

 

NOTING OF ROLL

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Black moved, Roesner seconded to approve the April 18, 2006 Agenda as presented.

                  Ayes:   9              Nays:  0           Absent:  0               Motion Carried

 

Note:  Cassette tape of Township of Oxford Planning Commission meeting prior to joint session was inaudible, believed to be member introductions.  These Minutes taken from Cable TV video recording.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None.

 

COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS AND INFORMATION FROM ZONING COORDINATOR

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7:06 pm – Recess until 7:11 pm

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7:13 PM – Meeting resumes with members from the Oxford Village Planning Commission

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BUSINESS

Joint Workshop between Oxford Township Planning Commission and Oxford Village Planning Commission regarding the proposed Planned Unit Development (PUD) rezoning of a total of 22.18 acres consisting of 15.19 acres in the Township – Parcel # 04-23-301-003, currently zoned CAD (Central Area Development) and 6.99 acres in the Village consisting of parcels # 04-23-351-001 and 04-23-351-002, currently zoned LI (Light Industrial), to be known as LAKESHORE VILLAGE, consisting of 90 multi-family residential units.  The property is located east of Oxford Road and north of the Polly Ann Trial right-of-way.

Jim Eppink of J Eppink Partners made the presentation, seeking direction from both the Oxford Township Planning Commission and the Oxford Village Planning Commission on concerns related to their proposed multi family project, located in both the Township and Village.  A revised 8½ x 11 size plan was handed out for reference.  Mr. Eppink addressed concerns and suggestions from previous Township and Village Planning Commission meetings.

 

-       He explained how they have met Township PUD eligibility and how those items would also benefit the Village.  The abandoned factory will be removed and the area cleaned up, which would comply with items #3 and #6 of the Township Ordinance (although the factory is in the Village, it would benefit the entire community).  He showed improvements to the aesthetic qualities of the development specifically along Oxford Road and the trail system, and explained provisions they made for pedestrian activities that would benefit the residents and other members of the community.  He noted that the two municipalities working together on this project would benefit the greater community and that Mr. Hubbard is interested in funding improvements to the trailhead and overall trail system.

-       An overriding concern was the backs of the buildings facing Glaspie/Oxford Road.  They have rotated each of these so that the front doors now face the Road and their landscape plans will show significant screening and buffering.

-       The original proposed right-of-way width has been revised to 60 feet with 27 feet of pavement throughout the development which meets County standards, and that the roads will be designated as public.  With this revision, they will be able to incorporate sidewalks on both sides of the street.  The internal sidewalks will have connections to the trail system, the lakefront, and to another lookout point to the north.

-       The homes along the water’s edge have been shifted away from the slope inward approximately 40 to 60 feet and moved the homes along the southern edge an additional 15 to 20 feet away from the Polly Ann Trail as suggested, and increased the landscaping in this area.  These changes have decreased the number of home sites from 90 to 85.

-       In regards to management of the community, they are recommending a centralized mailbox location, PUD documents will indicate that garbage and snow removal will be contracted by the homeowners association for the entire development, paid for by association dues and suggested separate water and sewer systems unless otherwise directed.

-       They are proposing to continue the sidewalk from the development’s southern exit to the Polly Ann Trail where there is a crosswalk where people can cross to the west side of Glaspie/Oxford Road.  They do not envision extending the sidewalk to the next property where the sidewalk system would then end.  They propose putting the money for that extension into a fund to improve the trailhead and trail system or whatever the Commission feels appropriate.

-       In terms of usable park space (which does not include the utility easement), they are providing 2.9 acres of open space consisting of parks etc. throughout the entire neighborhood.  The center area space is approximately 3 to 4 times the size of Centennial Park, the oval cul-de-sac is about 80 feet x 140 feet, and more intimate spaces closer to the water.  They are also proposing inviting the public into the development by the extension of a trail system that leads to an overlook by the water and a link to the Polly Ann Trail.

-       There was concern expressed about the homes blending with the existing neighborhood.  Mr. Eppink noted that 40 to 50% of the homes are old traditional with rear loading garages and 50 to 60% are newer with front loading garages.  He feels their product will blend in.  To enhance the livability of the home, the garage needs to be out in front and their builder will try to break that up by using Burdick Woods as an example and proposing an additional decorative garage door.  Lastly, due to the homes being shifted back and using a 20 foot setback, they will be able to achieve two parking spaces in the driveways of each unit without interrupting the sidewalk.

 

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS:

Township Commissioner Berger inquired about the length of the driveways.  Mr. Eppink responded, from the right-of-way line to the face of the garage would be 20 feet which would allow for 2 cars side by side.  He reminded Mr. Eppink that the safety path has to be shown on plans and if it is decided that it does not need to be put in, the cost would need to be put into the Safety Path Fund.  He also asked for some clarification on the open space and later inquired about decks on the backs of units.  Mr. Eppink replied that internal units will probably have patios, the units along the lake could possibly have decks and patios, size would be addressed in the Master Deed.

Township Commissioner Bell commented that he noticed a third entrance on Oxford Road but only 2 curb cuts.  Mr. Eppink explained that the third “entrance” was actually a driveway to service 8 units.

Village Commissioner Schultz asked about police and fire jurisdiction.  Mr. Eppink stated they had not had that discussion yet but will follow-up on this issue.

Village Commissioner Stiles asked if the garbage and snow removal arrangements would be stated in the by-laws and if they had any information on potential fertilizer runoff into the lake.  Mr. Eppink responded yes to her first question and that he would get back to her on the runoff issue.  She then asked about the remediation of the factory.  Mr. Eppink said they plan on removing the building and cleaning up the area, he doesn’t believe there is any soil contamination beyond what would typically be anticipated.

Township Commissioner Black commented that currently runoff from N. Oxford Road goes into Willow Lake directly, is there any plan of putting some kind of sediment basin in?  The response was that previous plans showed leaching basins where water can settle, filter, then be discharged into the lake.

Township Commissioner Roesner recommended that the sidewalk/safety path outside the development be put in all the way to the northern property line.  Mr. Eppink stated they will do whatever they are directed to do.  She also noted that the cul-de-sac open space area does not meet Township Ordinance specifications and suggested they put some sort of playscape and fencing.

Village Commissioner Ziegelbaur was concerned about the limited space between the end units where the front entrances are face to face with the building next to it.  He recommends they try to separate the side yard setback beyond what is required in those instances.

Township Commissioner Lepping asked if the landscape irrigation water would be coming from the lake.  Mr. Eppink said, at this point, it will not.

Township Commissioner Fitchena commented that the applicant has made a vast improvement over what was originally presented and that Village and Township’s comments were very similar. 

Village Commissioner Duval noted that with a development like this being proposed, the speed limit on N. Oxford Road should be lowered.  Township Planning Chairman Silvester responded that this is something the applicant and the Township Board will need to look at.

Township Planning Chairman Silvester asked how both Planning Commissions would like to proceed from here.  It was decided to continue the process with joint meetings, with the next one to be during a regular Township Planning Commission meeting at the Vets Hall.

Kimberly Armstrong, a member of the public, commented that she feels a sidewalk along N. Oxford Road is important especially as it is a high school parade route.  Mr. Eppink responded that he is concerned about ending the sidewalk at the crest of a hill but will do what they are directed to.

John Jackson, Mckenna & Associates (Village Planner), encouraged the applicant to explore the architecture of the units a little more.  It is the Village’s objective that new residential developments respect and continue the architectural quality of a small town.  He suggested that with increased setbacks, they could possibly recess some of the garages and bring the porches up closer to the sidewalk to create a more walkable environment or possibly incorporate another type of product into this.  Mr. Eppink responded they will continue to look for other attached product designs but as of yet, for the square footage; price point; and useable floor plan; they have not been able to find a successful plan.

 

ADJOURNMENT 8:13 pm

 

 

______________________________                                        ____________________________

Donald T. Silvester, Chairman                                                               Tom Lepping, Secretary

 

 

Date approved:        05/25/2006

 

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