Republic Township Planning Commission Meeting

August 18, 2008

 

Call to order: at 7:02 by Secretary Marie Serafin, in absence of Chair Leslie Hurst and Vice-Chair Diane Tapio

 

Members in Attendance: Glenn, Marcy, Marie, Tom, Jim, Bill P (Zoning Administrator).

 

Members absent: Leslie Hurst (excused), Diane Tapio (status unknown), Paul Polanski (unexcused), Bill DeGenaro (unexcused).

Guest: Fred Nannestad, Webmaster

 

Approval of July 21, 2008 minutes: Move: Jim; 2nd: Tom.  All in favor; Motion carried

 

Approval of Agenda: With addition of (3) letters Bill P has sent to certain individuals to be discussed under his regular report. Move: Jim; 2nd: Marie.  All in favor; Motion carried.

 

Public Comment: None

 

Reports:

          Zoning Administrator: See attached sheet. Includes Zoning Administrator report for August 18, 2008 (6 Compliance permits; all approved).  No land divisions.  Discussed letters Bill has written to (3) individuals concerning Zoning non-compliance. (See attached).

 

Parks & Recreation:

          No report, as Diane was absent.

 

EDC: No report.

 

Heritage Trail:

          (Submitted by Chuck Hurst):

• ·        Opening Ceremony tentatively planned for October 10, with Ish/Neg in the morning and Republic Wetlands in the afternoon.
• ·        Mike Lemmpinen is developing a logo for the Wetlands; Marie will post designs when she receives them.
• ·        Trail Committee will be posting temporary signage at South Entrance and on Southern Loop.  Signs provided by Jon Mykkanen and painted by John & Leona Crady.
• ·        Need to review proposed permanent trail signage to make sure it meets our Township guidelines.  Leslie will post designs next week.
• ·        Trail Committee may ask for volunteers to help make trail ready for opening.

         

Master Plan/Zoning Ordinance Committee: See minutes for Master Plan Meeting, held prior to this meeting.

 

Ordinance Subcommittee:

          Leslie, Gary Johnson (Supervisor) and Bill DeGenaro attended Ordinance Enforcement Seminar in Escanaba on July 23.  Will incorporate ideas into our ordinances.  Work continues on Nuisance, Blight and Junk ordinances, which will be grouped together in a single ordinance.  Dangerous Housing remains a separate ordinance.  When complaints are received, Gary will let Bill D know where to go.

 

Community Meetings:

          Status of new sign: work has begun to ready signboard for new vinyl sign, after which “rustic” additions will be made and new lighting installed.

          No contact has been made with Harry Miron concerning removal of his “Antiques” sign on the highway.  It is most probably a legal sign, and he is not obligated to remove it, but may wish to do so in order that new Republic sign can be better appreciated.

          Motion to encourage Township Board to send official letter to MDOT to move “Republic” directional sign at north entrance at M-95 to beach entrance, so that visitors aren’t treated to “bumpy” first impression of Republic.  Move: Tom; 2nd, Jim.  All in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Website Report:

          Website now has link to DNR Campsite website.

          Continued improvement on number of hits per day.

          Contact page has produced communication, filtered through Gary’s email. 

 

Old Business:

          Proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments have been submitted to Township Board.  Bill P will post a public notice in the Mining Journal for a public hearing to be held at our next regular meeting on September 15, 2008.  Planning Commission will make changes (if necessary) and send on to Board.

          Brief discussion of Outside Wood boiler Ordinance, clarifying that chimney height is determined by height of neighboring buildings within 1000’, not that boiler location itself must be 1000’ from nearest neighboring building.

          New Planning Commission Bylaws: Motion to accept new bylaws as outlined in 6-18-08 Draft sent by CUPPAD: Move: Glenn; 2nd, Tom.  All in Favor.  Motion carried.

 

New Business:

            Discussed Paul Polanski’s idea to host a Tagged Fish Derby.  No recommendations at this point.

          Marcy related that the Potato Fest was deemed a success.

 

 Public Comment:

          Fred asked that we send along electronic images of new Wetlands logo when it becomes available.

 

Next Meeting:  7:00 pm, September 15, 2008, to include public hearing on proposed amendments to Zoning Ordinances.

 

Motion to adjourn at 8:30pm: Move: Glenn; 2nd: Jim.  All in favor.  Motion carried.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

 

Marie Serafin,

Secretary, Republic Township Planning Commission

 

-------------------------------------