Republic Township Planning Commission
Regular Meeting, April 21, 2008
Call to order at 7:10pm
Members present:
Paul Polanski, Marie Serafin, Diane Tapio, Leslie Hurst, Glenn Adams, Bill Payne
(Zoning Administrator)
Members absent:
Marcy Rankinen, Jay Mattila (has sent in his resignation from the Planning Commission)
Guest:
Fred Nannestad (Township Website)
Approval of minutes of March 17, 2008 meeting with the following changes:
Change Marquette Planning Commission to Marquette County Planning
Commission (updating their comprehensive plan)
Correct spelling of Fred Nannestad name.
Motion to approve: Diane; 2nd: Marie; all in favor
Approval of agenda for tonight meeting:
Motion to approve: Marie; 2nd: Diane
No Public Comment
No Permit Reviews
Zoning Administrator Report:
One zoning application to report:
Craig & Loretta Chandonnet (new log home-Holli Blue Rd). Approved, 04/18/08
No Land division Applications
Apprised of proposed new business by Nona (she was present at this meeting) and Mark Erickson to open an antiques and collectibles store in the old Baptist Church on the west side of M-95 near Witch Lake. The parcel of land where the building stands is zoned WR-1. After much discussion, it was determined that the proposed use most closely resembles those under permitted uses for WR-1, and as such requires only a regular zoning permit. Motion to approve said designation: Diane; 2nd: Glenn; all in favor. The commission extends their well wishes to the Ericksons in their new endeavor.
Parks and Recreation report:
Have not yet met this spring
EDC:
No report
Heritage Trail/Wetlands report:
Chuck Hurst and Ken Salo finally met with Dale Hemmila, Len Parker and an assistant (of CCI) to present the proposal for development of the Republic Wetlands Preserve. The proposal was met with approval, with the promise that it would be presented to the corporate officers at CCI soon.
Glenn reiterated the desire of the Heritage Trail for us to make use of their logo in the re-vamping of the epublic sign at the River Road Entrance, in order to maintain consistency with the signage along the rest of the trail. A possibility exists that some funding for the new sign may come from the IOHT if we do so.
Ordinance Subcommittee:
Meeting scheduled for later this month
Sign Committee:
Report by Chair Paul Polanski of meeting with Greta Berg of Company B to outline options for covering existing sign structure with PVC overlay, graphics for which to be determined later. A ballpark figure of $4,000 was given (which represents a discounted amount, due to our resemblance to a tart-up business). (See attached quote)
Paul has contacted Charlie Niemi, who has volunteered to donate machinery and materials to landscape the area around the sign.
The Planning commission will solicit ideas and suggestions for the new sign. (One announcement to that effect has already appeared in the March edition of the Township newsletter.) A suggestion box will be set up at the township office, with notices posted at strategic spots in town.
Campground Committee:
Have not yet met this spring.
Recreation Plan:
Leslie is ready to send the final amended Rec Plan for publishing on the Township website, once she has obtained new photos/images for the front page, to better represent Republic present and future.
Website Report:
Heard from Fred Nannestad statistics from the Township Website. Lots of action in March, from all over the world. The site will be updated daily, and a link to the township supervisor web mail will be posted.
Old Business:
DNR approved the amendments to our Rec Plan. Copies will be sent to CUPPAD and Marquette County Resource Management department.
Zoning ordinance amendments have been sent to the Township Board. Bill will make sure that they will be put on the agenda for the board regular monthly meeting, so that they can be approved prior to official publication.
No New Business
No Public Comment
Motion to adjourn at 8:50: Diane; 2nd: Paul; all in favor
Respectfully Submitted:
Marie Serafin, Secretary
-----------------------------------------------
Republic Township Planning Commission-Master Plan Meeting
April 21, 2008
Call to order: 8:50
Roll Call: Same as regular meeting
Approval of Agenda: Motion to approve: Marie; 2nd: Paul. All in favor.
No Public Comment
CUPPAD Contract was approved by Township Board. Uncertain as to whether it was signed and returned, however.
Status/Review:
Everyone should send email copies of their chapters to each other as well as to Michelle at CUPPAD (mdewitt.cuppad@charterinternet.com). (Mention was made that Glenn needs hard copies of our chapters, not electronic. Put in his box at the township office.)
Leslie and Bill will conference-call Michelle to see about getting feedback from her.
Bill has completed his chapter on Land Use and will send it to all of us.
Paul chapter on History has been sent in to Michelle.
Diane and Bill will get together to work on the Population chapter.
Paul and Glenn will work together on Transportation chapter.
Leslie will start on Recreation chapter, drawing on our Rec Plan as a basis.
Next steps:
Agreed to have our chapters ready to send to each other by May 9, so that we can have a chance to review before next meeting on May 19, 2008.
We l try to have Michelle come up for our meeting on June 16, 2008.
Motion to adjourn: 9:15 Move: Diane; 2nd: Paul
-------------------------------------
