CHARLEVOIX COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION 301 State Street Charlevoix, Michigan 49720 (231) 547-7234 planning@charlevoixcounty.org Approved Meeting Minutes February 1, 2018 I. Call to Order Chairman Draves called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Room at the Charlevoix County Building. Members present: Bob Draves, Larry Levengood, Bob Tidmore, Patrick Howard, Ron Van Zee, and Mike Webster Members absent: Michael Buttigieg (excused) Others present: Kiersten Stark (Planning Coordinator) and Shirley Roloff (County Commissioner Liaison) II. Pledge of Allegiance Bob Tidmore led the Pledge of Allegiance. III. Approval of Agenda Mike Webster suggested adding to the agenda discussion of scheduling meetings off-site. The following item was added under V. County Business Items: Scheduling. MOTION by Ron Van Zee, seconded by Larry Levengood, to approve the tentative agenda as amended. Voice vote: all in favor. Motion passed. IV. Public Comments Unrelated to Agenda Items None V. County Business Items Approval of Minutes of January 11, 2018 Meeting On page 3, under Planning Commission Comments made by Michael Buttigieg, the last sentence was corrected to read as follows: It was noted that Meijer in Gaylord has a several Tesla Electric Charging Stations. 1
MOTION by Mike Webster, seconded by Bob Tidmore, to approve the minutes of the January 11, 2018 meeting as corrected. Voice vote: all in favor. Motion passed. Correspondence and Communications Kiersten reviewed the following items: 2018 Membership List provided to Commission members for their notebooks 2018 Meeting Schedule provided to Commission members for their notebooks Thank you letter from the Antrim County Planning Department for reviewing and commenting on their proposed Master Plan update Flyer for the 2018 MSU Extension Master Citizen Planner Webinar Series the first webinar will be held on February 15 th and the topic is Strategic Planning, Smart Growth, and the Vision Statement Larry Levengood would like to register for the webinar. Planning Commission Comments Mike Webster He reported that the Melrose Township Planning Commission will be considering the rezoning of Agricultural parcels to Forest Reserve and/or Rural Residential. The Township is trying to attain a lower minimum lot size to meet the needs of many current and future residents. Webster also reported that Melrose Township has decided not to take any action on the issue of commercial medical marijuana facilities. Ron Van Zee In Bay Township, they appointed a new Township Clerk, who is Wendy Simmons. He reported that zoning permit applications have been steady. The Township Planning Commission is considering time and transfer for septic waste. They have also developed a community survey to assist in updating the Master Plan. The Planning Commission is also putting finishing touches on the setback regulations in the zoning ordinance. They will now be using more illustrations in the ordinance. In Hayes Township, the Board decided to move forward with the boat launch at Camp Sea-Gull. It has been advertised for bid and the Township is developing a construction and draw schedule to ensure they will be able to cash flow the project. Regarding the proposed Eastern Avenue Beach public restrooms, Van Zee said that, while the Road Commission was supportive of having restrooms placed at the end of Eastern Avenue in the road right-of-way, they discovered that, by law, the Road Commission cannot transfer the use of their right-of-way for this purpose. As an alternative, the Road Commission is considering the possibility of installing the restrooms themselves and having the two Townships (Charlevoix and Hayes) provide funding for maintenance. Van Zee also reported that the Eastern Avenue beach was cleaned last summer and it s a popular recreation spot. Patrick Howard Nothing to report at this time Larry Levengood On January 15 th, he attended a legislative update given by our state legislators. He said the topic of short term rentals came up in the discussion. The proposed state legislation concerning short term rentals is still under consideration. Levengood also attended a Great Lakes Issues program at the Charlevoix Public Library today. Mark Breederland from the State of Michigan Office of the Great Lakes Sea Grant Program was the speaker. He spoke about the changing water levels and invasive species. Asian carp may not be as significant an issue as once thought. 2
Bob Tidmore He reported that the debate continues over consolidating Peaine and St. James Townships on Beaver Island. Tidmore also said St. James Township just completed a draft update to their Recreation Plan. He also reported on an ice fishing tournament to be held on the Island, and a proposed rezoning from R-1 to Harbor in St. James Township, which will come before the County Planning Commission for review. Bob Draves He reported that the City of East Jordan is closing their transfer station. Draves also reported on efforts by Burnette Foods to secure a new site for disposing of waste water from their canning operations. Draves also reported he watched a tourism webinar recently which focused on short term rentals. He suggested the possibility of the Planning Commission hosting a panel discussion on short term rentals for local officials. One of the issues being considered by communities is whether to charge a registration fee for short term rentals. Levengood said the City of Charlevoix recently adopted an ordinance, requiring that short term rentals be registered with the City. Levengood said, on February 26 th, the Charlevoix County Chapter of the Michigan Townships Association will hold their annual Elected Leaders Summit at Boyne City Hall. County Commissioner Comments Commissioner Roloff reported that she received an email from McDonald s regarding increasing their recycling efforts. Staff Comments Kiersten reported on Planning Department activities during the month of January: Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail project o The County received our first grant reimbursement from the DNR for Phase 1 of the Trail o Construction activity on Phase 2 will resume this Spring to complete the remaining minor items o Discussed plans for Phase 3 of the Trail, including the proposed trailhead at Park of the Pines, with the Parks Committee and the County Board o Due to engineering issues in Phase 2 and changes in MDOT grant application criteria for trails, she discussed with the Parks Committee and recommended to the County Board that before we reapply for Phase 3 grants, we consider other engineering firms, review the preliminary engineering completed to date, discuss the proposed design elements for Phase 3, make initial contacts with property owners along the Phase 3 trail route and hold public meetings to share the preliminary plans for Phase 3, and obtain updated cost estimates for Phase 3 if needed Attended Parks Committee meeting on January 15 th o Public comment and further discussion on the proposed boat launch at Whiting Park, which focused on the location for the launch; three (3) options are being considered Provided planning/zoning assistance to local officials Handled information requests Prepared materials for tonight s meeting 3
U.S. Bicycle Route 35 Proposed Route Change Kiersten reviewed a memo she had prepared for the Planning Commission regarding U.S. Bicycle Route 35, an 865-mile bike route that runs from southern Indiana through Michigan to Ontario. In Michigan s Lower Peninsula, the route primarily follows the western shore along Lake Michigan. Then it crosses the Mackinac Bridge and traverses the eastern Upper Peninsula to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. It mostly follows roads, but utilizes trails in some areas, where available. Kiersten said, in Charlevoix County, the bike route winds through Norwood Township, Charlevoix Township, the City of Charlevoix, and Hayes Township. Charlevoix city officials are considering a proposal to change the route north of the bridge in order to improve safety for bicyclists. The proposed new northbound route would follow E. Dixon Ave. (a wide, one-way street) to Mercer Blvd., up to US-31. It would cross US-31 and continue on Mercer Blvd. to Taylor to Ance to Martin to Waller Road, where it would turn east and follow Waller to the Little Traverse Wheelway. This new route would eliminate the dangerous curve at US-31 and Michigan Ave., and it would follow streets that are wider and have a lower volume of traffic that also travels at a slower speed. The proposed southbound route would follow Waller Road west to Mt. McSauba to Division St. to Michigan Ave. (a wide, one-way southbound street) to US- 31/Bridge St. Kiersten explained that changing the designated bike route requires submitting an application to MDOT for approval. Resolutions of support are also required from the road agencies having jurisdiction over the road infrastructure where the change in the bike route is proposed. This includes the City of Charlevoix and the County Road Commission. Kiersten said, initially, she was informed that a resolution would also be needed from the County Board of Commissioners, which prompted her to place this item on tonight s agenda for a recommendation to the Board. However, she had since learned that a resolution was not needed from the Board. So, this material was being provided for informational purposes only. Kiersten said she will keep the Commission informed of any updates moving forward. Scheduling Commission members and Staff discussed scheduling some of their meetings at other locations in the county, including Whiting Park, Melrose Township, and Wilson Township. Kiersten will contact the Parks Director to discuss holding a meeting at Whiting Park in the Spring. VI. Townships, Cities, MDEQ & Corps of Engineers Items Marion Township Proposed Rezoning Commission members and Staff reviewed the proposal by Marion Township to rezone a portion of three (3) parcels and eight (8) parcels in their entirety, located adjacent to one another on both sides of Marion Center Road, just south of the intersection of Marion Center Road and Clark Road in Section 3, from Agricultural (A) to Single Family Residential (R-1). Kiersten reviewed the Planning Department Staff Review on the proposed rezoning. Considering the type of uses allowed in the R-1 District compared to the A District and given that the Township Master Plan supports the proposed rezoning, and the Township is proposing 4
this rezoning to collectively alleviate a hardship for this group of parcels, which was created by the Zoning Ordinance, she had no concerns with the proposed rezoning. Further discussion took place. MOTION by Larry Levengood, seconded by Ron Van Zee, to recommend approval of the proposed rezoning from Agricultural (A) to Single Family Residential (R-1) for a portion of three (3) parcels and eight (8) parcels in their entirety, located adjacent to one another on both sides of Marion Center Road, just south of the Clark Road intersection in Section 3 of Marion Township. Voice vote: all in favor. Motion passed. MDEQ Public Notice Berg (Hayes Township) Commission members and Staff reviewed the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) public notice for a permit application from Robert Berg to dredge 24 cubic yards of native substrate from an 1,100-square foot area, depositing all spoils above the ordinary high water mark, and to place 102 cubic yards of rock riprap up to 4 feet in diameter over geotextile fabric for shoreline stabilization and erosion control at his property on Lake Charlevoix in Hayes Township. Discussion took place regarding the proposed project, with Van Zee abstaining from making a recommendation or voting. The consensus of the Commission was to make no comment on this permit application. VII. Any Unfinished County Business None VIII. Adjournment MOTION by Ron Van Zee, seconded by Bob Tidmore, to adjourn the meeting. Voice vote: all in favor. Motion passed. Chairman Draves adjourned the meeting at 8:34 p.m. Respectfully Submitted By, Robert L. Tidmore Secretary RLT/kjs 5