BRADY TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

MINUTES OF MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 17, 2009

A regular meeting of the Brady Township Planning Commission was held on September 17, 2009 commencing at 7:40 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Members present: Chairman Gary Miller

                                Ed Haberle

                                Mike Henderson

                                Jan Becker

 Absent: Vice Chairman Randy Smith and Dave Locey.

Also attending: Township Attorney Craig Rolfe and 1 other.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Mike Henderson made a motion to approve the minutes of May 21, 2009 as printed. Jan Becker supported, and the motion was carried unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

 none

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

A.  REVIEW OF WATERFRONT SETBACK ORDINANCE (Article 15.3)

Township Attorney Craig Rolfe distributed copies of a work draft he has prepared for a proposed text amendment concerning waterfront setbacks. He reviewed the draft with the Planning Commission. He stated that there is a difficulty establishing waterfront setbacks when one of the adjacent lots is vacant. He stated that the Planning Commission should study the work draft and discuss any changes at the next meeting.

Mike Henderson stated that the use of sketches would greatly enhance the understanding of the proposed text. Chairman Miller asked the subcommittee (a three-member panel consisting of Randy Smith, Mike Henderson and Gary Galia) to produce 3 drawings to illustrate the parallel lot line, the face-extension, and the vacant lot scenarios present on the lakeshore.

It was noted that SCMCCI should be advised of the proposed changes.

Attorney Rolfe stated that the proposed text amendment must have Planning Commission approval before it can be considered at a Public Hearing. A Public Hearing is to be held on November 19, 2009. After discussion, the Planning Commission members present decided there should be one more meeting before the Public Hearing. There was a motion by Mike Henderson to hold a special Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Jan Becker seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

B.  PROPOSED LAND USE PLAN UPDATE

Chairman Miller reported that the Brady Township Board approved the proposed Land Use Plan Update for distribution to adjoining municipal entities, as required by statute, for comment. There were no comments from adjoining municipalities other than “no comment”. Chairman Miller stated that Randy Smith had made minor changes to page 20 regarding where the Land Use Map can be viewed. The Planning Commission is now ready to schedule a Public Hearing for the consideration of the Update. There was a motion by Mike Henderson to set a Public Hearing for the Proposed Land Use Plan for November 19, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. Jan Becker seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

REPORTS

There were no reports.

MEMBERS TIME

Several members of the Planning Commission voiced their displeasure of outdated land use maps. Mike Henderson volunteered to build a 24” x 36” foam board for mounting the newest land use map, if approved at the Public Hearing.

There was also disapproval by the Planning Commission that a new member has not yet been appointed to fill in a vacancy. It was stressed that any appointee should represent the Ag district, since four of six of the current members represent the lakefront district.

Mike Henderson was concerned about commercial activity by the Nazarene Camp this past summer: a fishing contest with an entry fee. The contest was called off after protests from other lakefront residents. The Planning Commission would like for the Zoning Administrator to send a courtesy letter to the Nazarene Camp to remind them that the zoning prohibits commercial activity and only residents of the Nazarene Camp are permitted to use the boat launch.

Gary Miller asked whether the Planning Commission should look into the alternative energy sources accessory buildings such as outdoor wood furnaces. There was some discussion, and Attorney Rolfe agreed to look into this matter.

Ed Haberle made a motion to adjourn at 9:40 p.m. Jan Becker seconded and the motion was carried unanimously.

A special Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for October 22, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. and the next regular Planning Commission Meeting is scheduled for November 19, 2009 at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

____________________________

Gary Miller, Chairman

Brenda Brock,

Recording Secretary