DRAFT

County of Antrim

PLANNING COMMISSION

Jill Barnard	Al Luurtsema, Chairman	Shirley Klunzinger
Joe Allen	Jim Gurr, Vice-Chair	Laura Stanek
Barbara Bradford	Alan Martel, Secretary	Marshall Wright
	Vacant

Minutes

April 7, 2009

7:00 p.m.

Antrim County Building - Board of Commissioners Room

Members Present:

Al Luurtsema, Jill Barnard, Joe Allen, Jim Gurr, Alan Martel, Shirley Klunzinger, Laura Stanek, Barb Bradford, and Marshall Wright

Members Absent:

None

Advisory Present:

None.

Staff and Others:

Joe Meyers and Pete Garwood

Audience Present:

Erica Burke, Seth Merrifield, Wilhelmina Witt, Michelle Merrifield, Gloria Whitt, Holly Blomquist, and Dee Miller

1. Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Al Luurtsema.

2. Public Comment

None.

3. Minutes

Motion by Jim Gurr, supported by Marshall Wright, to approve the March 3, 2009 minutes as amended. Motion carried – unanimous.

4. High School Student on the Planning Commission

Seth Merrifield and Erica Burke presented a proposal drafted by the Antrim County Citizenship Academy to the commission, regarding allowing a high-school student to sit on the planning commission.

Discussion ensued over the age range of the student and whether or not to allow a high-school student to sit on the Planning Commission as a voting member.

Motion by Jill Barnard, supported by Jim Gurr, to recommend the Planning Commission be increased from 10 members to 11 Members in the update of the Planning Commission Ordinance and the 11^th member be a nonqualified elector, youth member. Motion carried – unanimous.

Joe Allen indicated that he would like to see the potential of having the Planning Commission interview the candidates.

5. Alba Well Meeting/Environmental issues

Barb Bradford presented handouts for sinkholes in Lake Huron and an advertisement for events pertaining to the Alba Injection well. Barb spoke about the issues that happened with the production and distribution of the flyer. The Commission discussed issues with brine wells and how they could lead to sink holes.

6. Various Matters

Joe Passed out the Planning and Zoning News.

Jim Gurr indicated that he would lend any of the Planning Commission the book named “The Best-Laid Plans”. Jim indicated that he felt that it would be a good opposing view for anyone who would like to read it. Mr. Gurr also spoke on an article in the Michigan Townships Association publication regarding a survey showing that people in Michigan want to live in rural areas.

7. Public/Member Comment

Alan Martel spoke on how Rural Character and water quality might mean more if the majority of the people had a job and would like to see the planning commission make resolutions and public statements. Discussion ensued over the process of lobbying state and federal legislatures.

Discussion ensued over the economic development.

Jim Gurr spoke on how Antrim County is a model for development.

Joe Allen spoke on job security and government as a whole.

Jill Barnard discussed visiting Central Lake school today and informed the commission that an exchange student will live in Central Lake from Denmark.

Laura Stanek thanked Ms. Bradford for all of her hard work on the Alba well issue.

Marshall Wright spoke on asking the Danish exchange student to bring windmill information back from Denmark for the Planning Commission.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.