A regular meeting of the Charter Township of Oxford Planning Commission held Thursday, August 24, 2006, at the Oxford Veterans Memorial Civic Center.

 

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

 

Members Absent:      Berger

 

Also Present:             Planner Lopatin, Engineer Sharpe, Planning & Zoning Coordinator Walkaus, Recording Secretary Harrison, CATV Cameraman, 3 visitors

 

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

 

RESPECTS TO THE FLAG

 

NOTING OF ROLL CALL

 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Black moved, Curtis seconded to approve the August 24, 2006 Agenda as presented.

                  Ayes:  8               Nays:  0           Absent:  1               Motion Carried

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

Ordinance Review Sub Committee Meeting – August 7, 2006

Black moved, Kucemba seconded to approve the Ordinance Review Sub Committee Meeting Minutes of August 7, 2006 as presented.

                  Ayes:  8               Nays:  0           Absent:  1               Motion Carried

 

Planning Commission Regular Meeting – August 10, 2006

Black moved, Lepping seconded to approve the Planning Commission Regular Meeting Minutes of August 10, 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 Bell commented he presented Articles 10, 11 & 14 to the Township Board.  They expressed concern regarding the Noise Ordinance.  He informed them that the sub-committee wanted to be fair and equitable in it’s presentation and their concern falls under enforceability which is hard to do. 

Also at the Board meeting, Rowe Engineering proposed to the Board that they need to put in place the water booster stations as soon as possible prior to site plan procedures due to timing issues.  The Board gave them direction to do so but to keep the Planning Commission informed and provide “courtesy” site plans.  There was also a fencing issue and Commissioner Bell informed the Board that Home Land Security requirements prevail.

Commissioner Bell noted that the Board approved the Lakeshore Village preliminary PUD.

Commissioner Fitchena commented on the Multi-Tenant building located at 1663 Metamora Road.  The building is going to be used strictly as an auto collision shop.  Her concern was that the Commission was not aware of that and so did not have the opportunity to look at drainage inside the building, how they were going to recycle oil and transmission fluid, and how they would store inoperable vehicles.  Chairman Silvester noted that a collision shop is a permitted use in that zoning and was more concerned over the several violations that have been issued.  After discussion regarding the above issues and whether it needed to come back before the Planning Commission, direction was given to the Building Department to issue a Stop Work Order and no Certificate of Occupancy issued until the violations are cleared up and proper inspections have been done.  It was further directed to have Zoning Administrator Darling attend the next meeting with the site plans and other pertinent documentation so that it can be decided if a site plan revision is needed or if matters can be handled administratively.  It was suggested that the tenant be present to answer questions.

Chairman Silvester reported that the next Ordinance Review meeting falls on Labor Day, it was agreed to tentatively reschedule it for September 6th.  Coordinator Walkaus will see if the meeting room is available.

Commissioner Curtis noted there was a safety path meeting prior to tonight’s meeting.  They reviewed three proposals from Engineer Sharpe for Drahner Road.  With the funds that are available, they plan to install a section in conjunction with Tullamore’s portion up to Crossroads for Youth, including various path maintenance issues.  As to the other two sections on Drahner Road, there are a number of easements and expanses which are beyond current funding.  The Paint Creek pedestrian bridge was discussed, Coordinator Walkaus was asked to find out if plans were ever submitted to the Road Commission, if so, what their findings were.

 

PC and ZBA Coordinator Comments:  Coordinator Walkaus inquired if the Rite Aid landscape issue had been resolved.  Chairman Silvester said they have been notified and to check if Administrator Darling has heard anything.

 

Zoning Administrator Comments:  On behalf of Zoning Administrator Darling, Coordinator Walkaus had no comments.

 

Recording Secretary Comments:  Recording Secretary Harrison commented she has been recording the minutes for almost a year and wanted to know how she was doing.  The Commissioners expressed no concerns and Coordinator Walkaus noted that they are being done in a timely manner.

 

OLD BUSINESS

DISCUSSION – Draft Articles 10, 11 and 14 of the Zoning Ordinance Update

Planner Lopatin commented that Article 14, PUD Standards, is essentially the same with a few modifications to what is currently on the books in Article 34.  Articles 12 & 13 are being worked on to tighten up the relationship between site plans and condominiums.

Commissioner Roesner referenced page 14 -4, item F - Minimum Lot Size without Centralized Sewer.  It states an acre, is that a buildable or gross acre?  Planner Lopatin said that it is to be consistent with County standard and would look into it.

She also commented on page 14 -7, item I - Open Space.  Due to recent site plan submittals, she suggested they consider establishing a minimum size or a caveat that if it’s a certain size, it has to be shown it really is useable and special.  Planner Lopatin commented he is hesitant to incorporate minimum size standards because site sizes vary, a 1 acre parcel’s open space size would be different than a parcel with 300 units.  He noted that the regulatory flexibility given by the PUD allows the Planning Commission and Board to make the determination if something is useable or not.  Chairman Silvester agreed there have been issues in the past but would like to leave it as is, it can be amended if needed in the future.

 

NEW BUSINESS

PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCE–Electronics Building–Charter Communications – Metamora Rd.

Lisa Easterwood and Katrina Branson of Gould Engineering representing the Applicant seek to make site improvements to the Charter Communications facility.  They are proposing to construct a new 840 sq. ft. utility distribution building at the south end of the existing parking lot area which will include a new sidewalk.  The existing building will no longer be used for that purpose.  Everything is intended to remain undisturbed except for the generator which will be moved to the south side of the new building.  Due to the building’s use, no water or sewer leads will be necessary.  They do not propose any detention because the site improvement is small.  They do propose some landscaping to shield the building from M-24 and Metamora Roads.

Commissioner Curtis was concerned with the garage on the site which sits on the property line and is an eyesore, he would like to see that removed.  He inquired what they will do with the building currently being used.  Vicke Jacobs, with Charter Communications, responded that it will be used for record storage and will not be staffed.

The placement of the safety path was discussed.  It was determined that there is frontage on Metamora Road.  They were instructed to find out if they own the property up to the road right-of-way on M-24 as well (there was discussion whether the railroad easement is part of their property and if there is something between that and M-24).  It was suggested they obtain a copy of Ordinance 117 which is the Township’s safety path and sidewalk regulations.

Chairman Silvester informed the applicant that the purpose of a pre-application conference is a non-binding discussion for direction on preparing their site plan.  It is the consensus of the Commissioners to have the garage removed and to determine if they own the property up to M-24.

 

TOWNSHIP PLANNER’S REPORT – CARLISLE/WORTMAN ASSOCIATES

Planner Lopatin suggested Committee Members consider attending the MAP conference which is being held at the Renaissance Center in October.  He asked that whoever is coming, to let him know.  There is more information on planningmi.org.  Commissioner Fitchena commented that at the Board meeting last night, it was noted the budget for conferences for Planning Commission and ZBA members is running low.  Before registering, check with Supervisor Dunn.  Chairman Silvester commented the Planning Commission is under budget in other areas and to e-mail him, cc Barb, if they would like to attend.

 

ADJOURNMENT

Black moved, Bell seconded to adjourn the meeting at 8:47 pm

                  Ayes:  8               Nays:  0           Absent:  1               Motion Carried

 

 

 

 

 

______________________________                                        ____________________________

Donald T. Silvester, Chairman                                                               Tom Lepping, Secretary

 

 

Date approved:        09/14/2006

 

 

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