Minutes of Helena Township Planning Commission
April 20, 2011
Special meeting/work session
Meeting called to order by Swan
Opened with Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Present: Jim Swan Jim Gurr
Chris Dewald Bob Johnson
Mike Robinson(7:20) Bonnie Robbins (7:15)
Absent: Rodger Dewey
Township officials present: Guy Molby
Statement of Conflict of Interest: None
Public Comment: None
Communications: None
Approval of Agenda: Motion with date correction to 2011and change to reflect New Business handled before approval of minutes. Motion Johnson, 2nd Gurr. Carried (6,0)
New Business: Dewald questioned need for request to come to commission for approval.
Discussion and consensus that zoning administrator had authority to approve permit without need for planning commission review. Consensus to approve application, recognizing zoning administrator had discretion to approve without planning commission review. Fact finding steps waived. Will review fee charged. Motion Gurr, 2nd Johnson. Carried (6,0)
Dewald left meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Approval of Minutes: March 2, 2011 Approved with one spelling correction. Motion: Gurr, 2nd Swan. Carried (5,0)
March 9, 2011 Approved with one correction. Motion Gurr, 2nd Swan. Carried (5,0)
April 6, 2011 Approved with 7 corrections. Motion Gurr, 2nd Johnson. Carried (5,0)
Old Business: Discussion of progress in removal of dilapidated trailer on East Torch Lake Drive. Robinson reported property owner wants to improve the property or possibly sell the site. Zoning administrator will discuss options of property improvement ideas with owner and continue to work to get the structure removed or replaced.
Robinson reported the fire department has agreed to move their meeting so he will not have a scheduling conflict in the future.
Review of suggested Zoning Ordinance changes
Topic 1 Discussion on uses to permit in setbacks. Consensus to change zoning ordinance to state the following concerning setback uses:
Permanent structures are prohibited in the setback areas.
Request Bzdok review if this is sufficient to address use of setback.
Topic 2 Outdoor lighting: Recommend using language submitted by Bzdok.
Public Comment: None
Adjourn: Motion Dewald, 2nd Gurr. Carried (5,0)
Respectfully Submitted,
Bonnie Robbins
Helena Township Planning Commission Recording Secretary