TEXAS TOWNSHIP BOARD AND PLANNING COMMISSION JOINT MEETING MAY 8, 2008

CALL TO ORDER

Supervisor Commissaris called the meeting to order at 5:00 p.m. The following board members were present: Trustee Steven Bosch, Trustee Donald Boven, Trustee Paul Cutting, Treasurer Joyce Neubauer, Supervisor Ronald Commissaris, and Clerk Linda Kerr. Absent: Trustee Erin Hoogendyk. The following Planning Commission members were present: Richard Craven, Bruce Derby, Larry Loeks, Greg Rothe, and Steve Weurding. Absent: Michael Mair. Also present was Attorney Lynda Thomsen, Planner Russ Wicklund, and one interested person.

RECREATIONAL PARKING ORDINANCE

Supervisor Commissaris thanked the Planning Commission for the numerous hours they invested on ordinance amendments; however, at the last township board meeting trustees had questions and concerns regarding the parking of recreational vehicles/units. He then turned the meeting over to Township Planner Russ Wicklund.

Mr. Wicklund explained that the proposed ordinance differentiates between recreational vehicles and recreational units. The definition of recreational vehicles means any vehicle utilized for recreational purposes and that may be driven on public roadways, such as for travel between destinations and used as temporary living quarters. Such vehicles shall include those vehicles with their own motor power, such as motor homes, or those mounted or attached to another passenger vehicle, such as pickup campers, camper trailers, pop-up tent trailers or similar shelter type vehicles. Whereas, recreational units means any non-shelter type of vehicle and such related equipment not intended to be driven on public roadways without being attached to a trailer, such as snowmobiles, all-terrain vehicles, off-road vehicles , boats and jet skies, or similar vehicles and their associated trailers. Such units are designed and intended to be utilized on snow, sand, water or other natural terrain. The differentiation also addresses parking. Whereas recreational units must be parked in the side yard or rear yard on platted lots or unplatted lots of any size, the Planning Commission felt three acres was a better fit for recreational vehicles and future planning. He additionally explained that there are no restrictions for either of the classifications if the units or vehicles are parked inside a building. The ordinance also allows for parking in the front yard on a temporary basis of no more than seven days. Discussion ensued on the confusion between recreational vehicles and units, side yard setbacks, and enforcement.

CORNERS BUSINESS DISTRICT

The next item addressed was the set back requirements in the Corners Business District for special exception uses from adjacent residential properties. When the special exception uses were created in the CBD the footnote requirements under section 36-725 Standards Required of Special Exception Uses apparently were not taken into consideration. Since residential is a compatible and permitted use within the CBD, the large setback requirements creates a burden on properties abutting properties although the zoning is the same. Discussion ensued on the unsuitability of the setbacks and how they should be changed. Mr. Wicklund explaining that a simple language adjustment eliminating the footnotes from the CBD could be submitted for a public hearing for the June Planning Commission meeting.

CORNERS PROPERTY UPDATE/DDA EXPANSION

Supervisor Commissaris updated the group on events in Texas Corners and the Master Plan for the DDA. A lengthy discussion followed regarding the Plan, expansion of the district, obtaining easements for access points (nodes), and reconfiguration of Texas Drive. Consensus was reached to start pursuing the Master Plan by obtaining easements for access points or nodes for each of the ring roads and the reconfiguration of Texas Drive.

The joint meeting with the Planning Commission adjourned at 6:37 p.m.

ENFORCEMENT ISSUES

Supervisor Commissaris explained that the three elected officials continue to look at cost savings and effective ways to conduct business. One area of savings would be in zoning enforcement and suggested the Board take into consideration utilization of Michigan Township Services.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting adjourned at 7:00 p.m.

Submitted: Approved:

Linda M. Kerr, CMC, MPA

Attested: Supervisor Ronald E. Commissaris