BERRIEN TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

MEETING MINUTES

Monday, April 19, 2010

The Berrien Township Planning Commission met at the Berrien Township Hall.

CALL TO ORDER

The Berrien Township Planning Commission met on Monday, April 19, 2010 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, Secretary Doug Shelton, Dave Riedlinger, Robert Norris, Karen O’Dell and Ross Rogien.

Members Absent: 

Others Present:  Supervisor Paul Bixby, Mike Clark with Williams & Works, Building Inspector, James Hoover, Charles Peck and recording secretary Rebecca Downey.

NEXT MEETING

The next meeting is set for Monday, May 17, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. 

MINUTES

Motion by Ron Harner, supported by Robert Norris, to approve the minutes from the March 15, 2010 meeting.  All ayes, none opposed.   Motion carried.

BUILDING PERMITS

The Building Permit Report along with the Electrical Permit Report was presented by Building Inspector, James Hoover.  In March there were eleven (11) Building Permits issued with fees collected of $1.894.80.  Three (3) Electrical Permits were issued with fees collected of $533.00. 

OLD BUSINESS

Proposed Zoning Ordinance:  Discussion began on the Zoning Ordinance.

All members of the Planning Commission received a copy of the Berrien Township Zoning Ordinace, Draft of April 2010.  Mike Clark of Williams & Works reviewed the additions and modifications made.  He also explained the addition of the Tables of Contents and Index.  Zoning maps will be included in the final draft. 

Medical Marihuana – Special Land Use:

Mike Clark also gave a brief update on the Medical Marihuana and answered various questions. 

300.1132 Medical Marihuana Primary Care Giver Facility:

B. 5.  add “Day Care” to the list of businesses/organizations that a primary care giver facility must be 1000 feet away from.

Other modifications reviewed:

300.215 P Definitions:

Property Line, Side – change the word “perpendicular”

300.219 S Definitions:

Sawmill Temporary – add “6 month maximum”

300.223 W Definitions:

Winery -  add phrase “or other fruits” after grapes, and “or purchased” after are grown

300.304 Interpretation of District Boundaries:

E. change to have the center of the river reflect the district boundary

300.416 Signs:

* in regards to size of signs maintain continuity by referring to the size in either square footage or actual length x width measurement

C. 2. second sentence change the word my to “may”

D. 2. a) 2. remove “to” from not to exceed two

D. 3. a) (1) keep word “or” that was to be removed

300.704 District Regulations:

*add “minimum lot width” to bottom of diagram

300.1142 Road Side Markets:

B. 7. change to “two” freestanding signs

300.1204 Zoning Board of Appeals

C. 1. change to “accordance with the provisions of the Michigan”…

Mike Clark stated that he would suggest that the township have an attorney review the draft.  A Public Hearing is required by the Planning Commission.  A clean copy of the Ordinance would be available at the township office for review by the public.  Then the Planning Commission would recommend the Ordinance to the Township Board.  The County then receives the Ordinance to review.  A Public Hearing is not required by the Township Board, it is optional.  Eight days after the board approval the Ordinance becomes law.

NEW BUSINESS

MISCELLANEOUS

Park Ridge: 

Ron Harner updated the Planning Commission on the Park Ridge Development. 

H. Ralph Cripps had previously stated that he wished to modify his current P.U.D.   After further investigation it was noted that his original P.U.D. had not been filed.  He will now start at the beginning to establish a development.  He has formally made his request and paid the required fees.

Motion by Ron Harner, supported by Ross Rogien, to schedule a Public Hearing for Park Ridge at the May 17^th Planning Commission meeting for 7:05 p.m.  All ayes, none opposed.   Motion carried. 

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Ron Harner, supported by Dave Riedlinger, to adjourn meeting.  All ayes, none opposed.   Motion carried. 

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

_______________________________________

Doug Shelton, Planning Commission - Secretary