Republic Township Planning Commission Meeting
October 20, 2008
Call to order: at 7:00 by Chair Leslie Hurst.
Members in Attendance: Leslie Hurst, Glenn Adams, Marcy Rankinen, Marie Serafin, Paul Polanski, Diane Tapio, Jim Brennan, Bill DeGenaro, Tom Sandblom, Bill Payne (Zoning Administrator).
Members absent: none
Also present: Brian Brady, from Michigan DEQ, 2 community members
Approval of Sept 15, 2008 minutes: Move: Tom; 2nd: Jim. All in favor; Motion carried.
Approval of the minutes of the Special Meeting held Sept 24, 2008:
Move: Jim; 2nd, Glenn. All in favor; motion carried.
Approval of Agenda: Move: Marie; 2nd: Tom. All in favor; motion carried.
Public Comment: None
Permit Review:
Bill P summarized a proposed land division for Guy Murray’s Lake Michigamme property. Motion to approve said division as recommended by Zoning Administrator: Move: Tom; 2nd, Glenn. All in favor; motion carried.
Guest Speaker: Brian Brady, District Supervisor, Michigan DEQ
Brian gave power point presentation on outdoor wood boilers (technically, hydronic heaters, as they aren’t boilers in the commonly used sense.) He gave three remedies for smoke problems:
1) Increase stack height
2) Legislate a “burning season”
3) Enforce use of proper fuels (dry hardwood)
Reports:
Zoning Administrator: 3 Compliance permits; all approved. It was noted that the permit for the Potts was for Lotto Lake, not Grant Lake. No land divisions. (NOTE: It appears this report was the same as was submitted last month.)
Parks & Recreation:
No report, as they are buttoned up for the winter
EDC: No report.
Heritage Trail: Brief report by Marie of ribbon-cutting ceremony held on Oct 8th. A logo is being developed for the Republic Wetlands Preserve but design has not been finalized by the committee. Because of the lack of mention of this event by the local media it was proposed by Paul Polanski that the Township seek out an individual who would be responsible for helping to promote such events and other township activities.
Master Plan/Zoning Ordinance Committee: See minutes for Master Plan Meeting, held prior to this meeting. Next meeting will be at 6:00 on November 17, 2008.
Ordinance Subcommittee: Subcommittee needs to schedule their next meeting. Bill D provided an article from the Michigan Township News (Oct 2008) that deals with blight and what can be done about it. It appears that Republic Township is on the right track…but may need to create an ordinance for inoperable vehicles.
Community Meetings:
Status of new sign: Jim has begun shingling the roof with cedar shakes. Jon Mykkanen has donated logs for the end posts; Paul is working on the logs. Lighting will have to be put in place before final landscaping.
Bill has contacted Harry Miron concerning his “Antiques” sign on the highway. Mr. Miron is willing to move his sign and is in communication with MDOT about the location of the side angles allowed.
Website Report:
See attached sheet. Continued improvement on number of hits, with Beautiful Scenes being most popular destination and page on Iron Ore Heritage Trail second.
Old Business: Will put discussion on Wood Boiler amendment on agenda for next month’s meeting.
New Business:
Enabling Act Training: Several members will be attending the training class at NMU on November 25, 2008. Diane will confirm with Vicki as to exactly who has been signed up so far.
Public Comment: Tom S would like Planning Commission to express our thanks to the Ketos for bringing the issue of outdoor wood boilers back to our attention, after being on a back burner for some time now. Mr. Keto feels there is no need to regulate ALL outdoor burning and notes that his neighbor (Mr. Besolo) has gone to some lengths to remedy the situation. Bill P is aware of changes Mr. Besolo has made to his wood boiler, at considerable expense. This is to be commended.
Next Meeting: 7:00 pm, November 17, 2008
Motion to adjourn at 8:531pm: Move: Marie; 2nd: Jim. All in favor; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Marie Serafin,
Secretary, Republic Township Planning Commission
