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

November 6, 2007

7:00 p.m.

Antrim County Building - Board of Commissioners Room

 

Members Present:

 

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

Members Absent:

 

Marshall Wright

Advisory Present:

 

None

Staff and Others:

 

Joe Meyers and Pete Garwood

Audience Present:

 

None

 

1.       Meeting called to order at 7:03 p.m. by Al Luurtsema.

 

2.       Public Comment

 

None.

 

3.       Minutes

 

Motion by Joe Allen, supported by Jim Gurr, to approve the October 2, 2007 minutes as amended.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

4.       Conflict of Interest Disclosure

 

None.

 

5.       Banks Township Zoning Ordinance Amendments

 

Discussion ensued over the three zoning ordinance amendments. 

 

The Commission discussed article IV Section 4.02 – Non-conformities.  Discussion ensued over nonconforming uses.

 

Barb Bradford spoke on the implications of not enforcing zoning ordinances. 

 

Tom Maleck spoke on selective enforcement.

 

The Commission discussed Article IV Section 4.24 Sub-Section 3 and 4.  The Committee believes that this was a well written amendment.

 

The Commission discussed Article IV Section 4.25.

 

Barb spoke on requiring the trailer to be tied into a sewer system.

 

Discussion ensued over how the controls might be a problem for some people.

 

Discussion ensued over the legal definition of a mobile home.

 

Tom indicated that they might want to address all utilities and not just sewer.

 

Alan Martel inquired about the issue regarding a second house on one parcel of property.

 

Motion by Jim Gurr, supported by Tom Maleck to recommend approval of the changes to the Banks Township Zoning Ordinance as presented on November 6, 2007; because we understand the rational behind the amendments and feel that they are addressing the needs of their township residents.  Motion carried – unanimous.

 

6.       Enclosures  

 

Al Luurtsema spoke on the training “28 Ways to Stay Out of Court”.  Barb, Alan, Jim and Al would like to attend on December 4, 2004.  Discussion ensued over our December meeting with 4 members attending training on the day of our meeting.  The Commission decided to change the date of our December meeting to December 1, 2007.

 

7.      Planning Commission Discussion

 

Alan spoke on how he would have liked to have been notified when the Board of Commissioners was going to pass the Master Plan. He also indicated that he felt that we should chart the course of the Master Plan update. 

 

Barb and Al also indicated that we should chart the update of the Master Plan.

 

The commission discussed the plans for the update and the Committee thought that we should structure the update over the next few years.

 

Jim spoke on the opposition of the Master Plan and the need to address these issues, as needed.

 

Discussion ensued over the usefulness of the Master Plan.

 

Barb spoke on the different sections of the Master Plan with emphasis on the Natural Resources and Environment section.

 

Pete Garwood spoke on creating a commission to “hash out” the master plan.

 

Al spoke on budget and the expenses vs. revenues.

 

Discussion ensued over the meeting dates on election days.

 

8.      Public/Member Comment

 

Terry Morris spoke on letting the Master Plan rest for a while then review and update it methodically. 

 

Pete spoke on potentially creating a blog for the master plan.

 

Barb spoke on pumping carbon dioxide in the ground in Northern Michigan and that we should discuss this at the next meeting.  Al Luurtsema indicated that we would give this issue 15 minutes next month.

 

Tom spoke on NIMBYism.

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:47 p.m.

Submitted and Approved

 

 

Alan Martel, Secretary       Date:

Antrim County Planning Commission