SUTTONS BAY TOWNSHIP

PLANNING COMMISSION

Wednesday, October 3 2007-6:30 p.m.

Suttons Bay Township Office

 

CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 6:35 p.m.

 

ROLL CALL:  Commissioners: Chair Jerry Bergman, Doug Periard, Don Gregory, Tom Nixon, Shirley Wall, Barb Jameson, Jon Walter.  Absent Jeff Corbin.  One Vacancy.

 

STAFF PRESENT: Rochelle Rollenhagen and Steve Patmore

 

GUESTS:  There were 7 guests present.

 

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: MOVE BY NIXON SUPPORT BY WALL TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AS PRESENTED.

AYES:  ALL   MOTION CARRIED

 

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA: Consensus to approve.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

 

Ervin LaCross spoke regarding Fountain Point.

 

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

 

The Representative from Gordie Frazer spoke on behalf of the applicant.   He indicated that the proposal was for a 3500 square foot commercial building, single story with a walkout basement that would house Mr. Branson’s insurance business.  He added that the site plan currently provides for 43 parking spots however, if the Township Board passes the proposed amendment to the parking ordinance they may bring an amended site plan back.  He stated that they had been in touch with the DEQ regarding the wetlands and do not see any direct impact to the wetlands.  It was stated that the storm water chamber will discharge a slow release into the wetlands with some retention to be provided for under the parking area.  The site plan also calls for a drain field east of the site using a type 2B well system.

 

Mr. _______ provided a landscaping plan and indicated that Mr. Branson had called in an arborist to assist with the removal and replacement of the older maple trees.

 

The commission asked if parking would be visible from M-22 and was informed that you would barely be able to see the cars as there is a 5 foot slope.  The commission requested a vegetative screening along that area and it was pointed out that a natural berm currently exists. Concerns were voiced about placing a commercial drain field on agricultural property.

 

Steve Patmore stated that this proposal was a use by right and this is a preliminary site plan review.  Patmore suggested that the commission wait to give final site plan approval after all the permits have been received. Steve presented the commission with a list of proposed conditions.

 

 

MOVE BY NIXON SUPPORT BY GREGORY TO ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS OF FACT AS PRESENTED AND TO APPROVE THE PRELIMINARY SITE PLAN WITH THE CONDITIONS LISTED BELOW:

 

FINDINGS OF FACT

 

 

A.     The subject property is parcel number 45-011-034-021-80, and is located on Peck Road.

 

B.      According to Township records, the property is owned by Mead Investments, Chris Branson.

 

C.     Subject Property is zoned Commercial, however, there are conditions on the zoning as follows:

 

         “That use of the property is limited to business and professional offices, business services, and health clinics as stated in Section 6.2.D. of the Suttons Bay Township Zoning Ordinance.”

 

D.     The above listed uses are “Uses by right” in the Commercial Zoning District.

 

E.      The subject property is currently vacant.

 

F.      The Site Plan indicates that the proposed building meets the required Front, Side, and Rear setbacks specified in the Zoning Ordinance.

 

G.     The proposed building is 50’ x 70’ and is shown as having two floors.

 

H.     The Site Plan shows 42 parking spaces provided.  

 

         Based upon the current Section 12.5.3, one parking space is required for each 100 sft of usable floor area. Therefore, the maximum amount of usable floor area allowed with this Site Plan is 42 x 100  =  4,200 sft.

 

CONDITIONS:

 

            A.  Must obtain any and all required permits or approvals, including Soil Erosion, Health Department, MDEQ, Road Commission, etc.

 

            B.   Must obtain Land Use Permit for buildings.

 

            C.  Must obtain permit for any signage. Proposed signage must be submitted with the Final Site Plan.

 

            D.  Must meet outdoor lighting standards in the Zoning Ordinance. Proposed outdoor lighting locations and fixtures must be submitted with the Final Site Plan.

 

            E.   All utilities must be installed underground

 

            F.   The Site Plan must be modified to show landscaping between the proposed parking lot and M-22.

 

           

            G.  The Building Height must meet the Zoning Ordinance. An elevation of the proposed building must be submitted with the Final Site Plan.

 

 

            H.  Site Plan must be modified to show a future pedestrian link to Peck Rd

 

            I.    Uses of the Building shall be limited to those Uses listed in the Conditional Rezoning.

 

            J.    A “Knox Box” approved by the Suttons Bay – Bingham Fire Department must be installed on the building.

 

Ayes:  All Motion Carried

 

                  MOVE BY GREGORY SUPPORT BY JAMESON THAT FINAL SITE PLAN REVIEW BE HANDLED BY THE SITE PLAN COMMITTEE.

 

Ayes:  all Motion Carried

 

PRE-APPLICATION CONFERENCE FOR COTTAGES AT FOUNTAIN POINT:

 

         Dave Christianson spoke on behalf of the applicant Susan Nichols.  Christianson indicated that his hope was to present a conceptual proposal to this commission and for it to be sanctioned as “progress” as his conditional rezoning is for an 18 month period and they are nearing the end of that time period.  Christianson added that he would be bringing a site plan for approval to the table in December.  The commission agreed that this would be considered “progress”

 

Christianson stated his proposal would provide for 35 units for sale and 3 additional units would be retained by the applicant.  He added that each lot would have approximately ½ acre and the houses would be separated by approximately 50 feet.  When the purchaser buys a lot he would be provided a building envelope which is specified in the Master Deed.  The proposal calls for a Community Waste Water system for the complex consisting of two lift stations as well as community wells. 

 

Waterfront key holing issues were discussed and the applicant indicated that there is 2000 feet of frontage and they are proposing 8 temporary seasonal docks.

 

Comments regarding the waste water system were heard and the chair indicated that a public hearing would be held at a later date where comments would be heard.

 

CONTINUATION OF PUBLIC HEARING ON AMENDMENT III ARTICLE XII STANDARDS.

 

The public hearing was open for comments at 8:10 and closed at 8:10 with no comments being offered.

 

Patmore indicated that the dimensional standards provided were incorrect and minor changes were made.

 

MOVE BY NIXON SUPPORT BY WALL TO SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT WITH THE INCLUSION OF THE DIMENSIONAL STANDARDS AS REVISED.

 

AYES:  ALL   MOTION CARRIED

 

Reports:

 

Zoning Administrator Steve Patmore: As presented

 

Planner-Rochelle Rollenhagen-Rochelle indicated that she has been informed that there will be no grant funds given out until after October 31, 2007 and/or the State Budget as been adopted.  Rochelle inquired of the commission on moving forward with the Master Plan Mapping.  The commission suggested that if funds were available at this time to proceed then she should begin.

 

Zoning Ordinance Committee:  Did not meet

Township Board Representative:  The chair indicated that  Tom Nixon had been appointed to the vacancy on the Township Board however, due to the Incompatible Office Act, Tom cannot serve on both the School Board and the Township Board.  The chair indicated that the Township Board was going to make a new appointment and he was informed that he was to be appointed.

 

Chairman’s Perspective:

 

Public Comment:  None

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.