County  of  Antrim

PLANNING  COMMISSION

Jill Barnard

Al Luurtsema, Chairman

Jim Gurr

Joe Allen

Tom Maleck, Vice-Chair

Laura Stanek

Barbara Bradford

Alan Martel, Secretary

Marshall  Wright

 

Terry Morris

 

 

Minutes

May 1, 2007

7:00 p.m.

Antrim County Building - Board of Commissioners Room

 

Members present:

 

Jim Gurr, Alan Martel, Joe Allen, Tom Maleck, Al Luurtsema, Terry Morris, and Marshall Wright

Members absent:

 

Laura Stanek, Barb Bradford, and Jill Barnard

Advisory present:

 

Stan Moore

Staff and others:

 

Joe Meyers, Pete Garwood, Doug Strain, and Scott Papineau

 

 

 

1.       Meeting called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Al Luurtsema

2.       Public Comment

 

None.

3.       Minutes

 

Motion by Marshall Wright, supported by Joe Allen, to approve the April 3, 2007 minutes as amended.  Motion carried – unanimous.

4.       Conflict of Interest Disclosure

 

Terry Morris indicated that the property owner involved with the Milton Township PUD amendment was a close friend of his.  The Commission decided that there was no conflict.

5.       Torch Lake Township Zoning Ordinance Amendment

 

Joe Meyers indicated that the amendments were to bring the zoning ordinance to compliance with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act as well as adding a definition of a hotel as well as allowing for hunting on a game preserve.  Joe indicated that their changes to the ordinance were clear and concise and felt it should be approved.

 

Marshall indicated that they were allowing for a 20 foot sign on a game preserve and thought that was very large.

 

Tom Maleck indicated that the sign portion of the ordinance might not be in compliance with the Billboard Act and indicated that they should check with the state police about the legality of their amendments.

 

 

Motion by Marshall Wright, supported by Joe Allen to recommend the Torch Lake Township Board approve of the Zoning Ordinance amendments but would like them to make sure that the sign portion of their ordinance is in compliance with all state rules and regulations.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

6.       Banks Township Zoning Map Amendment

 

Discussion ensued over the Banks Township rezoning request and the future land use.  Joe indicated that some people at the Township indicated that it would be spot zoning but felt that because it was contiguous to residential it would not be.

 

Discussion ensued over the small portion of land that would be agriculture surrounded by the rezoned residential.

 

Motion by Tom Maleck, supported by Terry Morris, to recommend that Banks Township approve the rezoning request but would recommend changing their Master Plan to reflect this decision.  Motion carried – unanimous.

7.       Milton Township

 

Discussion ensued over the PUD proposal. 

 

Motion by Alan Martel, supported by Tom Maleck, to recommend Milton Township approve the change in the PUD.  Motion carried – unanimous.

8.       Grand Traverse County Master Plan Amendment

 

Discussion ensued over the Grand Traverse County Master Plan Amendment.


Joe indicated that they were very comprehensive and thorough. 

 

Marshall Wright inquired about their trails section and how Antrim County plays a part in that.

 

Tom spoke on the federal trails grant for Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality. 

 

Discussion ensued over trails.

 

Motion by Marshall Wright, supported by Joe Allen, to recommend approval of the Grand Traverse County Master Plan amendment and inform them they did a good job.  Motion carried – unanimous.

9.       Antrim County Master Plan

 

Al Luurtsema asked the Committee about the Antrim County Airport.

 

Discussion ensued over the master plan, the transportation section, and how the internet can be utilized with the plan.

 

Joe Meyers presented the memo he wrote to the Planning Commission.  Discussion ensued over the recommendations of the surrounding municipalities.  The Committee responded to the recommendations and Joe indicated that if they had any other questions to please contact him prior to the next meeting.

10.      Correspondence

 

None.

11.      Public/Member Comment

 

Tom Maleck spoke on the July meeting and how it will fall on the day before the fourth of July.  The Commission moved their July meeting to July 10, 2007.

 

Al Martel spoke on the DEQ report indicating that Torch Lake, Clam Lake, and Lake Bellaire are extremely clean.

 

Jim Gurr spoke on the Soil Erosion Ordinance and the lack of progress.

Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

 

 

Submitted and Approved

 

 

Alan Martel, Secretary       Date:

Antrim County Planning Commission