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

March 4, 2008

7:00 p.m.

Antrim County Building - Board of Commissioners Room

 

Members Present:

 

Al Luurtsema, Barb Bradford, Jill Barnard, Terry Morris, Alan Martel and Marshall Wright

Members Absent:

 

Jim Gurr, Joe Allen, Laura Stanek, and Tom Maleck

Advisory Present:

 

None

Staff and Others:

 

Joe Meyers and Pete Garwood

Audience Present:

 

None

 

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

2.       Public Comment

 

None.

3.       Minutes

 

Discussion ensued over corrections to the minutes.

 

Motion by Marshall, supported by Jill, to approve the February 5, 2008 minutes as amended.  Motion carried – unanimous.

4.       Northern Lakes Economic Alliance

 

Sheri Rhoads gave a presentation on the activities at the NLEA.   

 

Discussion ensued over the Industrial Park in Mancelona. 

 

5.      Whitewater Township Master Plan

 

Joe Meyers indicated that he passed out a memo regarding their Master Plan, pointing out the similarities with Antrim County’s Master Plan.

Marshall indicated that he would like Whitewater Township to add more information regarding connection between the north and south side of M-72 because they stated they would like to make Williamsburg more walkable.

 

Barb would like to see them add a night sky portion to their master plan and would like to commend them on working towards linking the train Williamsburg in the future.

 

Alan expressed concern regarding the setback issue for lake front property owners. 

 

Discussion ensued over sensitive areas and what the definition of a sensitive area is.

 

Discussion ensued over the M-72 corridor.

 

Alan indicated that many Antrim County residents pass through Whitewater Township and their Master Plan makes no reference to planning for good traffic flow on M-72.

 

Motion by Jill Barnard, supported by Barb Bradford, to recommend Whitewater Township approve their master plan with the following conditions:

1.      They include a Night Sky’s portion to their master plan.

2.      They look at the creation of non-conformities created when requiring a 100’ buffer along all the lakes and streams.

3.      They consider addressing that many citizens of Antrim County drive through Whitewater Township and consideration should be given enhanced traffic flow on M-72 and other arteries.

4.       They look at better ways for people to get across M-72 in Williamsburg to help link the north and south portions of the township especially in the goal of promoting a walkable community.

The Planning Commission would also like to commend Whitewater Township for making the land use along Elk Rapids Township border consistent with their master plan.  Motion carried – unanimous.

6.      Recycling Presentation

 

Joe gave a presentation on the current recycling efforts in Antrim County and the process they have taken.

7.      Various Matters

 

Alan Martel spoke on the Soil Erosion Ordinance and how once it is reviewed by the DEQ, then he will color code what is state law and what is not state law.  Mr. Martel also indicated that he intends be the clearing house of soil erosion issues to see if the ordinance is working or not.

 

Al Luurtsema spoke on how he did not agree with Mr. Martel questioning the legality of the Ordinance in front of the Board of Commissioners as a representative of the Planning Commission. Mr. Martel disagreed with Mr. Luurtsema.

 

Discussion ensued over the comments made from the letter that Alan Martel sent out to people regarding the ordinance.  

 

Al Luurtsema spoke on the issue of home foreclosure in Antrim County.  Mr. Luurtsema also indicated that we need to get jobs in Antrim County to help with economy.

 

Discussion ensued over the role of the Planning Commission and Economic Development. 


Pete Garwood spoke on the “Buried in Sandstone” article in the packet.

8.      Public/Member Comment

 

Barb Bradford gave an update on the March 8th, 2008 meeting in Alba regarding the injection well.

 

Ms. Bradford also spoke on getting all of the 10 county planning commissions in the Northwest Michigan Region together to discuss various issues.  Ms. Bradford would also like us to take the lead in regional cooperation. 

 

Discussion ensued over ACUTE being disbanded.

 

Discussion ensued over the injection well. 

 

Marshall Wright left at 9:30.  Due to a lack of a quorum, no official action could be taken.

 

Al Luurtsema asked Pete Garwood to contact the NWMCOG to get them onboard with the regional cooperation in discussing issues in northern Michigan.

 

Alan Martel spoke on a book he was reading and how most people don’t solve problems and we should.  He also apologized for getting angry. 

 

 

 

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

 

 

 

Submitted and Approved

 

 

Alan Martel, Secretary         Date:

Antrim County Planning Commission