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Antrim County |
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December 13, 2005 |
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Minutes |
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Members Present: |
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Laura Stanek, Heidi Lang, Brett Pharo, Dorance Amos and Dennis Irelan |
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Members Absent: |
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Norm Veliquette |
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Staff Present: |
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Joe Meyers |
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Others: |
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Larry Sullivan and Keith Termaat |
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I. Call to Order |
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Dorance Amos called the meeting to order at 10:05 a.m. |
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II. Approval of October 31, 2005 Minutes |
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Motion by Laura Stanek, supported by Brett Pharo to approve the October 31, 2005 minutes. Motion carried – unanimous. |
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III. Ranking System |
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Discussion ensued about the ranking system put together by the Grand Traverse County. Keith Termaat, a Milton Township resident, informed the Committee that he liked the idea of protecting land but noted that we need something that we can sell to the public.
Heidi Lang inquired about the proximity to water. Ms. Lang and Joe Meyers noted that the ranking system only mentioned Lake Michigan, Elk Lake, and Torch Lake and they further inquired about other lakes and rivers. Mr. Meyers felt that 5 miles from bodies of water encompassed such a broad area and should maybe be shortened to make the points a little more challenging to receive.
Discussion ensued about farmland in proximity to other large tracts of farmland as well as forest land. Mr. Termaat stressed that he would like to see forest land preserved as much as farmland.
Motion by Brett Pharo, supported by Dennis Irelan to recommend the Grand Traverse County Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board change the scoring system criteria under the title Proximity to Protected Farmland and Open Space from:
Parcel is adjacent to 80 acres or more of permanently protected farmland: 25 pts Parcel is adjacent to 80 acres or more of other permanently protected land: 17 pts To Parcel is adjacent to 80 acres or more of permanently protected farmland: 25 pts Parcel is adjacent to 80 acres or more of other permanently protected land: 25 pts
Motion carried – unanimous.
Dennis Irelan inquired about financial intuitions feeling about the purchase of development rights program because this obviously would lower the property values because it could not be developed into a residential use. Mr. Amos informed the Committee that any farmer that would enter into this program should have a good relationship with their bank. Mr. Irelan further noted that the landowner information should not offer a hand written legal description. |
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IV. Grand Traverse County Interlocal Agreement |
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Was distributed for discussion at the next meeting. Mr. Meyers noted that the Antrim County legal counsel had not looked at this document and he was currently reviewing the document. |
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V. New Business |
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None. |
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VI. Various Matters |
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None. |
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VII. Member Comment |
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Mr. Irelan noted that we need to listen to the people like Mr. Termaat because he is someone that is interested in farmland preservation but would like to have more education on the subject. |
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Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m. |
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The next meeting will be Wednesday, January 4 at 10:00 a.m. |
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