Republic Township Planning Commission Meeting-January 21, 2008
Meeting was called to order at 7:06, by Diane Tapio in absence of Chairperson Leslie Hurst.
Members Present: Diane Tapio, Marcy Rankinen, Marie Serafin, Paul Polanski, Bill Payne, Zoning Administrator, Glenn Adams, Board Representative.
Members Absent: Leslie Hurst, Jay Mattila
Welcome to new members, Marie Serafin and Paul Polanski
No approval of December 17th meeting minutes (quorum was not present). No minutes from November 19th available to approve.
No public comment
Election of new officers:
Chairperson: Leslie Hurst
Moved by Glenn Adams, seconded by Marie Serafin; all in favor
Vice Chair: Diane Tapio
Moved by Paul Polanski, seconded by Marie Serafin; all in favor
Secretary: Marie Serafin
Moved by Diane Tapio, seconded by Marcy Rankinen; all in favor
Schedule for upcoming year meetings was set as follows:
February 18
March 17
April 21
May 19
June 16
July 21
August 18
September 15
October 20
November 17
December 15
Report from Zoning Administrator:
Two applications for Zoning Compliance Permits were approved:
1) Wm Messerschmidt, to relocate shed
2) Scott Lofstrom to build garage
No Land Division applications were presented.
(Leslie Hurst arrived at 7:25 with copies of minutes from Nov 19, 2007meeting)
Motion to approve minutes of November 19 meeting: moved by Marcy Rankinen, seconded by Glenn Adams; Motion carried.
Report from Parks & Recreation:
Thank you to Cable America (Grove Cable) for help removing Christmas lights.
P&R will keep area plowed by Munson Park for snowmobile parking.
Report from EDC:
No actions taken.
Paul Polanski brought up matter of revamping sign at highway entrance. It was hoped that cost for this can be part of the Township budget for this year (need design and projected costs before February 6th). Need to contact Bob Grove to get his blessing.
Heritage Trail:
No report; Trail Committee to meet January 22 at 7pm. Meeting of full Board will take place January 23. Results presented at next meeting.
Master Plan/Zoning Ordinance Subcommittee Report:
There will be a meeting January 29 at 6pm, with CUPPAD representative in attendance.
Ordinance Subcommittee Report:
Last met on November 12 and produced a list of recommendations to amend zoning ordinance. These recommendations were deemed somewhat in need of olishing
The desire is to regard violators to be guilty of municipal/civil infractions and not merely misdemeanors, to give ordinances more ite
There is a need to follow up on proposed recommendations; that proper approval procedures are followed to make amendments part of the ordinance (e.g., Junk/Junk Vehicle ordinance approved in December 2006, but never actually implemented.)
Community Meetings/Master Plan:
It was urged that we keep these meetings going, as there is great potential for improving our community if we can keep people involved and excited.
Campground Subcommittee:
No report; will not be meeting until spring.
Old Business:
Recreation Plan needs to be updated by March 1st, in order to be able to meet requirement of 30 days before grant applications are due (April 1st). Bill Sanders, from UPEA has promised to help with this update.
In particular, it is desired that we amend the Rec Plan to acknowledge a slight change in our priorities: that the purchase and remodeling of the old Republic Bank Building has become our focus (as opposed to the building of a new pavilion at this time), along with development of the School Lake property to provide handicap access via a pier structure of some sort. Our next meeting will include a public comment opportunity to address these changes.
Paul Polanski has agreed to talk with Dan Torres (owner of the Bank Building) to sound him out on a possible donation of the building to the township.
New Business:
Zoning Ordinance Site Plan Update
This would require a more detailed representation of proposed projects before a zoning permit will be approved, to include scale drawings of entire project, all building information, set-backs, footprints, existing structures and floor plans. This required information needs to become part of the ordinance that explains how to obtain a zoning compliance permit. This update must be finalized before presenting it to the Township Board. (Bill Payne and Leslie Hurst are working on this.)
Marcy Rankinen brought up the problem of billing for Transfer Station fees. These are not being presented in a timely manner. This will be brought to the Township Board attention at their next meeting.
Motion to adjourn at 9:30: moved by Marie Serafin, seconded by Paul Polanski. Motion carried.
Next meeting: February 18, 7pm Republic Township Hall.
Secretary
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