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

June 5, 2007

7:00 p.m.

Antrim County Building - Board of Commissioners Room

 

Members present:

 

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

Members absent:

 

Terry Morris, Tom Maleck, and Marshall Wright

Advisory present:

 

Stan Moore

Staff and others:

 

Joe Meyers, Pete Garwood, Doug Strang, and Joe Merillat

 

 

 

1.       Meeting called to order at 7:01 p.m. by Al Luurtsema.

 

2.       Public Comment

 

None.

 

3.       Minutes

 

Motion by Jim Gurr, supported by Joe Allen, to approve the May 1, 2007 minutes as amended.  Motion carried – unanimous.

4.       Conflict of Interest Disclosure

 

None.

 

5.       Milton Township Zoning Ordinance Amendments

 

Joe Meyers indicated that Milton was looking to rezone a parcel on Torch Lake from agriculture to PUD.  Joe indicated that it seemed consistent with their plan and he recommended approval.

 

Doug Strang explained the development to the Planning Commission.

 

Discussion ensued over the rezoning, boat dock, and the grade of the road. 

 

Motion by Barb Bradford, supported by Alan Martel, to recommend Milton Township approve the amendment to the zoning map.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

Joe indicated that they wished to add private cemeteries as a special use to their agriculture district.  Joe also indicated that townships were required by law to allow them.

 

 

Joe Merillat from Milton Township Planning Commission informed the Commission of why they were allowing them and some of the difficulties they faced prior to completing this amendment.

 

Discussion ensued over private cemeteries.

 

Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Jill Barnard, to recommend Milton Township approve the zoning ordinance amendment 07-01.  Motion carried – unanimous. 

 

6.       Kearney Township Zoning Ordinance Amendment

 

Joe indicated that he reviewed the ordinance amendment and indicated that he saw no problem with the amendment but also indicated that he did not have a copy of their master plan. 

 

Barb Bradford gave a history of the property and indicated that she felt that it was spot zoning.

 

Discussion ensued over the manufacturing district.

 

Motion by Jim Gurr, supported by Joe Allen, to inform Kearney Township that we do not have enough information in this rezoning to give a proper review.  In the future, it would be helpful to have a copy of their master plan, future land use map, and the justification for the rezoning.  Motion carried – unanimous.  

 

7.       Antrim County Master Plan

 

Joe informed the Commission of the continued efforts on the master plan.

 

Barb inquired about including “safe harbors” in the master plan.  Barb also spoke on the Soil Erosion, Stormwater and Sedimentation Control Ordinance; the attempted recall of Charlie Koop; and the elimination of Townships.

 

Discussion ensued over Townships.

 

Motion by Jim Gurr, supported by Barb Bradford, to inform the Board of Commissioners that the Planning Commission spends a good deal of time working with Townships in respect to planning and urges the Board of Commissioners to pass a resolution  to support Townships as a whole and pass a resolution indicating that.  Motion carried – unanimous. 

 

8.      Correspondence

 

None.

 

9.      Public/Member Comment

 

None.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

 

 

Submitted and Approved

 

 

Alan Martel, Secretary       Date:

Antrim County Planning Commission