BERRIEN TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES FOR

October 19, 2009

The Berrien Township Planning Commission met with the Berrien Township Board of Trustees at the Berrien Township Hall to continue working on the Zoning Ordinance.

CALL TO ORDER

The Berrien Township Planning Commission met on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. for a regular meeting.
Chairman Dale Sherwood called the meeting to order and opened with the Pledge of Allegiance to the American flag.
 

ROLL CALL

Planning Commission Members Present:  Chairman Dale Sherwood, Vice-Chairman Ron Harner, Dave Riedlinger and Robert Norris.  Ross Rogien arrived at 7:10 p.m.

Members Absent:  Secretary Doug Shelton and Ed Kerlikowske Jr. 

Berrien Township Board of Trustees:  Paul Bixby, Mary Jane Dean, Julie Burke and Harold Bishop.  Ross Rogien arrived at 7:10 p.m.

Others Present:  Jim Hoover, Mike Clark with Williams and Works, Bill Shembarger representing Shemmy’s Restaurant and Ice Cream and recording secretary Rebecca Downey.
 

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is set for Monday, November 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. 

MINUTES

Motion by Robert Norris, supported by Ron Harner, to approve the minutes from the September 21, 2009 meeting.  All ayes, none opposed.   Motion carried.

BUILDING PERMITS

Township Building Inspector, Jim Hoover presented the Building Permit Report along with the Electrical Permits.  In September: 10 Building Permits were issued - $131,800.00 and
7 Electrical Permits were issued - $13,001.00. 

NEW BUSINESS

Shemmy’s Restaurant & Ice Cream - Bill Shembarger representing Shemmy’s Restaurant & Ice Cream informed the board that he would like to have a consignment shop on the property during the winter months.  The shop would be in the current game room and would help supplement the business during the months that the driving range and mini golf are closed.  It is a separate building from the restaurant.  Mr. Shembarger presented the board with a sample contract that he would require his clients to sign when bringing items to his shop.  He stated that the items to be sold would be along the items of sporting goods and very good quality clothing, etc.  It would not resemble a garage sale.
 

The board felt that he could move forward as a Special Land Use.   A Public Hearing could be set for next month if application and fees are paid in a timely manner.
 

Motion by David Riedlinger, supported by Ron Harner, to hold a hearing at the next Planning Commission for Shemmy’s Restaurant & Ice Cream to add a consignment shop to their existing business.  All ayes, none opposed.   Motion carried.

Cindy Defay, Painter School Road – Cindy Defay of 7685 Painter School Road was in the township hall today and said she would like to build a 3 car garage on her property and have a kitchen facility built with the garage for her catering business.  There was discussion about the building needing to be attached to the main dwelling to be considered a home occupation.  Cindy Defay will be contacted and told of the stipulation of the kitchen needing to be attached to her main dwelling.  She will also be informed of the need to fill out an application for a hearing. 

OLD BUSINESS

PROPOSED ZONING ORDINANCE

Discussion began on the Zoning Ordinace:
 

300.1140 Restaurant

A.  Definition:  will include “drive-thru”.
 

300.1140 Road Side Market:

A.  Definition:  Remove “temporary”.  Eliminate “said produce must be grown at the lot, parcel or farm on which the building is situated.

      1.  Eliminate.

      2.  Eliminate “on the premises”.

      4.  Eliminate.

      5.  Eliminate.

      7.  Sign should be:   one “free standing sign”. 

      9.  Eliminate.
 

300.1141  Sawmill:

Add:

C.  Portable Sawmill:   Not to exceed a 6 month cap. 

There was discussion concerning the location of the portable sawmill in relation to property lines.
 

300.1142 Subdivision:  Conservation:

All lot size information should be changed from 12,000 square feet to 12,500 square feet.  

300.1144 Tavern:

There was discussion about the location of a tavern in relation to a church or school.

It was stated that this would be covered under state and federal regulations.
 

300.1145 Vehicle Repair Facility:

B. 1.  Change:  from “60 days” to “120 days” .
 

300.1146 Veterinary Services:

B. 2.  Eliminate.

    3.  Take out word “occupied”.

Add:

    6.  Planning Commission may require landscape buffer such as evergreens or fencing to
         screen from adjoining properties.
 

300.1147  Wind Energy Conversion Systems - Commercial:

B.  #7  Change:  from “adequate” to “minimum 6 foot fencing” .
 

300.1148  Wind Energy Conversion Systems - Regional:

Discussion as to a reference being included as to where a residential accessory of this type could be located within the Ordinance.
 

Ross Rogien stated that he feels there should be a full index for the average citizen to be able to understand and locate specific items within the Zoning Ordinance.  It currently seems very confusing.  Mike Clark said this could be done.
 

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ross Rogien, supported by David Reidlinger, to adjourn meeting.  All ayes, none opposed.   Motion carried.  The meeting adjourned at 9:07 p.m.

Minutes as recorded by Rebecca Downey, Planning Commission Recording Secretary and approved by:

Doug Shelton, Planning Commission - Secretary