Republic Township Planning Commission
Regular Meeting, May 19, 2008
Call to order at 7:04pm by Diane T (chairing in the absence of Leslie H)
Members present:
Paul Polanski, Marie Serafin, Diane Tapio, Marcy Rankinen, Glenn Adams, Bill Payne (Zoning Administrator)
Members absent:
Leslie Hurst (she arrived at 7:10)
Guests:
Fred Nannestad (Township Website)
Tom Sandblom
Approval of minutes of April 21, 2008 meeting
Motion to approve: Paul; 2nd: Glenn; all in favor
Approval of agenda for tonight’s meeting:
Motion to approve: Marie; 2nd: Marcy; all in favor
No Public Comment
Permit Reviews:
Bill submitted written report: 6 permits requested: all approved (see attached sheet).
No land divisions requested.
Conditional use permit requested by Robert Spear (see attached sheet) to house draft horses and operate portable sawmill on property zoned Rural Residential. We need to post official notice that permit will be considered at next meeting of the Planning Commission (June 16, 2008) and to contact neighboring properties 20 days prior to this hearing date. Bill P. will notify Mining Journal and write letter to neighbors; Marie will obtain names and addresses of same.
REPORTS:
ZONING:
Update on Colosimo “Boathouse”: He is complying with request to modify building to meet requirements for boathouse. Work has been completed and Bill will inspect soon.
Bill needs list of Fire ID numbers to investigate complaints.
Complaints about blight are becoming more numerous. Bill is developing a system of numbering complaints so that they can be filed and found easily. Somewhat lengthy discussion as to what can be done about these blighted properties. It is suggested that we hire a part-time ordinance enforcer. Also, that when a complaint is received that the Township Board should follow through with the process in place for violations (letter informing part(ies) that they are in violation and subject to fine, to start). After initial letter goes out, there is some confusion as to what happens when violators fail to comply. The legal costs of continuing the process have been excessive in the past, which stymies our efforts. Tom Sandblom (in an allowed public comment) suggested that we present this dilemma to the public in the next Township newsletter, so that residents are aware that steps ARE being taken to correct these violations.
PARKS AND RECREATION:
Prisoners are helping township workers in Cemetery, getting it ready for Memorial Day, but township still looking for summer help.
Port-a-John cleaner is working again.
Township is supplying cleanup and port-a-johns for school track meets.
Delivery of new truck has been delayed.
EDC: No report
HERTAGE TRAIL/WETLANDS: No report
ORDINANCE SUBCOMMITTEE:
Meeting will be scheduled for later this month. Need to address changes in cemetery ordinance to comply with new standards. Committee will send changes to Fred to update on website.
COMMUNITY MEETINGS/SIGN COMMITTEE:
Report by Chair Paul Polanski: He has received some suggestions from area residents. They will be discussed at a meeting of the Sign Committee before next PC meeting. Need to look into grant monies to fund improvements (Community Fund, MDOT).
CAMPGROUND COMMITTEE:
Have not yet met this spring. They are looking for a third member so that guidelines and fee schedule can be discussed and posted. Marie will ask Jon Mykkanen if he will help out.
WEBSITE REPORT:
May promises to be banner month for “hits” with 10,000 expected.
He needs Appendices to Rec Plan to post on website.
Jody Mattila’s name was added as Deputy Treasurer.
Contact page (sent directly to Supervisor’s email) was added.
Township Newsletter was posted.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: None
PUBLIC COMMENT: None
Motion to adjourn at 8:28: Paul; 2nd: Marie; all in favor
Respectfully Submitted:
Marie Serafin, Secretary
Approval of Minutes of April 21: Motion to approve: Glenn; 2nd: Marie. All in favor.
Approval of Agenda: Marie; 2nd: Diane; All in favor.
Discussion of outline as presented by Michelle DeWitt of CUPPAD. It was agreed that we would have her do the chapters which involve statistics, tables and charts. These would be Chapters 2 (Population), 3 (Economic Base and 7 (Housing). If we have questions or need guidance, members can call her at (906)786-9234 or send email to mdewitt.cuppad@charterinternet.com.
Bill submitted his chapter on Land Use and wants feedback from all of us.
We’ll try to have Michelle come up for our meeting on June 16, 2008, with an earlier start time of 5:30. A notice will be posted to this effect.
