Republic Township Planning Commission Meeting
December 15, 2008
NOTE: Due to a lack of quorum, there was no Master Plan Meeting prior to this regular meeting of the Planning Commission. Likewise, there were no Planning Commission meetings on November 17, 2008 for the same reason.
Call to order: at 7:07 by Chair Leslie Hurst.
Members in Attendance: Leslie Hurst, Glenn Adams, Marie Serafin, Jim Brennan, Bill DeGenaro, Tom Sandblom, Steve Koski, (new Board representative), Bill Payne (Zoning Administrator).
Members absent: Marcy Rankinen, Paul Polanski
Approval of Oct 20, 2008 minutes: Move: Tom; 2nd: Jim. All in favor; Motion carried.
Approval of Agenda: Move: Jim; 2nd: Glenn. All in favor; motion carried.
Public Comment:
Jim Brennan reported on County Road Commission meeting he attended prior to this meeting. The only road construction planned for Republic Township in the near future is ½ mile of CR LE off M-95, scheduled for 2012, at a projected cost of $100,000.00. Jim will continue to “pester” the Commission.
Jim also voiced the opinion that any negotiations with Roger Crimmins concerning the dam and use of the lake created when the mine pit was flooded should have a Board member present.
Bill P suggested that the Planning Commission should schedule a joint meeting with the Township Board, perhaps with the aid of a facilitator.
Bill D requested that the EDC be resurrected to address the concern of a lack of reliable source of gasoline in the township. Tom S agreed to work with him on this issue.
Permit Reviews:
None
Reports:
Zoning Administrator:
Bill P submitted a total of (3) reports, for Oct, Nov and Dec, with a total of 6 Compliance permits; all approved. The report for Nov 17 also included the Murray land division, which was approved at the Oct 20 meeting. (See attached sheets).
Parks & Recreation:
No report, but it was noted that the holiday decorations look nice.
EDC:
Motion to resurrect EDC: Move: Jim; 2nd: Steve. All in favor; Motion carried. Recommended that Bill D and Tom S check with Virginia Mattson as to status of funds on hand.
Heritage Trail:
Trail Committee will hold meeting December 16, 2008, at 6:30. Jim B noted that township board has reaffirmed their support of the Heritage Trail despite the results of the millage election of November.
Master Plan/Zoning Ordinance Committee:
No official meeting; however Bill P noted that he has “smooth draft” of Master Plan that he worked on with Michelle and which he will distribute to Planning Commission members. We also need to submit our ideas about “points of interest” within the township. Next meeting will be at 6:00 on January 19, 2009.
Ordinance Subcommittee:
Subcommittee will schedule a meeting in January. Ordinance Enforcement Officer Bill D requested that he be given a copy of the ordinance(s) pertaining to junk vehicles. He is pursuing a violation using blight ordinance, and has ticketed one individual. He notes that there is a process in place which determines which violators will be ticketed. Enforcement is more likely if it can be shown that subject is in violation of more than one ordinance.
Community Meetings:
Status of new sign: Logs are stained, ready to be erected in the spring. Lights are here; Jim is waiting on better weather to install.
Bill P requested help in determining where best to relocate the “Antiques” sign on the highway: Jim B volunteered.
Tom S will look into feasibility of erecting wooden sign at M-95 bridge south, welcoming travelers to Republic Township. It was suggested he contact owner of stone building at that location.
Website Report:
Marie read from (2) reports sent in by Fred, showing slight decrease in the number of hits. Election results were a popular destination.
Old Business:
Will put discussion and drafting of amendment on Wood Boiler on agenda for January 19, 2009 meeting. Motion to broaden amendment to include all outside burning: Move: Marie; 2nd: Steve. Motion passed with (6) in favor and (1) opposed (Glenn Adams).
Heard report from members who attended Enabling Act Training on Nov 25, 2008. Emphasized need to complete Master Plan, as well as a Zoning Plan before updating Zoning Districts. Everything needs to “jibe”, especially if we’re challenged on a ruling. We would encourage Board members to attend a session.
New Business:
Wind Power Training: Several members attended the training class at NMU on December 4, 2008. We reported back on the need to include section on wind power in our Master Plan and look for ways to encourage the development of wind power in the township.
Capital Improvement Plan: Agreed to table the discussion on Capital Improvements until we after we finish the projects currently underway (Master Plan, Burning Ordinance). Need to get together with Township Board at some point.
Public Comment: Marie would like to officially welcome Steve Koski to the Planning Commission.
Next Meeting: 7:00 pm, January 19, 2009.
Motion to adjourn at 9:15pm: Move: Steve; 2nd: Jim. All in favor; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Marie Serafin,
Secretary, Republic Township Planning Commission
