A regular meeting of the Brady Township Planning Commission was held on May 18, 2006 commencing at 7:30 p.m.
Members present: Chairman Todd Weddon
Vice Chairman Ed Haberle
Gary Miller
Kathy Guthrie
Jan Becker
Absent: Mike Henderson and Helen McCrumb.
Also attending were Township Zoning Representative Bob Logan and 10 concerned citizens.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Gary Miller made a motion to approve the minutes of March 2, 2006. Kathy Guthrie supported, and the motion was carried unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS
A. REZONING REQUEST BY TODD AND CINDY GRAY
Todd and Cindy Gray, 5470 East T Avenue in Brady Township, have requested that their 10-acre parcel be changed from R-1 to RR zoning. Mr. Gray stated that he wants to build a small barn and have two horses on his property. He provided handouts showing the location of his parcel within Brady Township and his plans for barn, pasture, and animal waste storage areas and removal.
Mr. Gray further stated that on the east side of his property is RR zoned lands, and on the west side, wetlands. Pavilion Township lands are directly across the street from his property, with an 80-acre farm with three horses. He also stated that his is the last house on this part of T Avenue.
There was no public comment, and no written correspondence has been received on this matter.
There was a motion
by Kathy Guthrie to recommend to the Township Board that this rezoning request
be approved, based on the property’s abutment to RR zoned lands or wetlands. Gary Miller seconded the motion.
Jan Becker stated that this property backs up to Tiffany Woods. Kathy Guthrie noted that the owner of Tiffany Woods is present this evening and has not voiced any concern. Jan Becker stated that if this commission starts making changes to the zoning map, it could be ruined. Gary Miller stated that the request for zoning change this evening is in compliance with the land use plan and since the proposed rezoning is contiguous to other RR properties in the area, it could not be considered spot zoning.
There was a vote on the motion as stated above. The motion was passed by a vote of 4 to 1.
The Gray family was advised to attend the next Brady Township Board Meeting on June 6, 2006, when the Township Board will consider the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
B. PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN REVIEW BY GARY GRAY
Gary Gray presented his preliminary site plan for a proposed restaurant on property he owns at 5216 East V Avenue. Mr. Gray noted that he met with Todd Weddon, Gary Miller and Bob Logan last week to go over the preliminary site plan before this evening’s meeting. He has changed his site plan slightly as a result of that meeting, and he distributed the updated plan (with changes marked in blue).
Gary Miller stated that Gary Gray appeared before the ZBA to apply for several variance requests in regard to this proposed restaurant. His requests were approved and have been incorporated into the current preliminary site plan.
Gary Miller asked the Planning Commissioners for any input or changes to the preliminary site plan prior to the formal site plan review.
Bob Logan asked about the screening of the driveway access onto V Avenue. He is concerned about keeping a clear line- of- sight for vehicles entering and exiting the restaurant. Gary Gray agreed to consult with the Kalamazoo County Road Commission about the safety issues of driveway screening.
Gary Gray stated that this property lends itself perfectly to a walkout basement, but he does not have any room left for additional parking spaces to accommodate the extra floor space. He said he plans to have 40 parking spaces, and this is the maximum he can fit into the site plan. He asked if additional parking would be required if the walkout basement is used just for dry-storage. Gary Miller recommended that he resolve these issues with the township attorney before the formal site plan review.
Gary Gray asked if extra parking spaces would be required for delivery vehicles if the deliveries were made during non-business hours. Gary Miller referred this question to the township attorney also.
Both Gary Gray and Bob Logan agreed to speak with the township attorney on these parking issues. Gary Miller advised that if the attorney felt another zoning variance would be required for any reason, the matter should go before the ZBA before coming back before the Planning Commission for the formal site plan review.
C. PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN REVIEW FOR DORMITORY IN THE NAZARENE CAMP
Paul Casarez, director of the Nazarene Campground, distributed a preliminary site plan for a new dormitory Mr. Casarez stated that he met with Bob Logan, Todd Weddon and Gary Miller last week to go over the preliminary site plan, and has incorporated any suggestions arising from that meeting.
Mr. Casarez showed a map of the campground and the location where the proposed dorm is to be built. The 60’ x 90’ structure will replace 11 freestanding cabins. There will be room for green space around the dorm with the cabins gone.
Gary Miller stated that the proposed dorm is an approved use in the long-range concept plan for the development of the campground.
Bob Logan stated that the dorm would be a tremendous improvement of human safety and fire safety when compared to the current cabins.
Mr. Casarez stated that he would be working with the fire authority and the sewer and water authority as he continues to develop the dorm.
There was no further input for the formal site plan for the dorm, which is tentatively scheduled to go forward at the June 15, 2006 Planning Commission Meeting.
OLD
BUSINESS
A. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Kathy Guthrie nominated Gary Miller as Chairperson. Todd Weddon supported the nomination. Gary Miller was elected unanimously.
Kathy Guthrie nominated Todd Weddon as Vice-chairperson. Gary Miller supported the nomination, and Todd Weddon was elected unanimously.
Ed Haberle nominated Kathy Guthrie as Secretary of the Planning Commission. Todd Weddon supported the nomination, and Kathy Guthrie was elected unanimously.
Brenda Brock was re-appointed as the recording secretary.
REPORTS
A. Zoning Administrator
Bob Logan stated that a carport in the Nazarene Campground must come down. The carport was built without a zoning or building permit and is non-compliant. The ZBA was unable to grant a variance. The property owner has 30 days to take the carport down, or 18 days to appeal to the courts.
B. Township Board Member
Kathy Guthrie stated that the Planning Commission has not had a full board for a long time. The Township Board is requesting that the Planning Commissioners consider new members or alternative members. Ed Haberle stated that new Planning Commission members should be drawn from the ZBA.
C. ZBA Member
Ed Haberle stated that the ZBA news was covered by the Zoning Administrator.
COMMENTS
Jan Becker asked why the parking lot of the business at TU and Sprinkle (The Postman) has not been paved. The zoning administrator responded that 5 cars is a “trigger” for the lot to be paved. If there are consistent 5 or more cars in the parking lot, a report will be sent to the zoning administrator.
The next meeting is set for June 15, 2006 at 7:30 p.m.
Kathy Guthrie made a motion to adjourn at 9:10 p.m. Gary Miller seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
____________________________
Chairman Todd Weddon
Brenda Brock,
Recording Secretary