Minutes of Helena Township Planning Commission
October 05, 2011
Meeting called to order by Swan at 7:00 p.m.
Opened with Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Present: Jim Swan Jim Gurr
Chris Dewald Bonnie Robbins
Rodger Dewey Bob Johnson
Absent: Mike Robinson
Township officials present: Guy Molby, David Peterson
Approval of Agenda: Motion: Johnson, 2nd Gurr. Carried (6,0)
Statement of Conflict of Interest: None
Approval of Minutes: Minutes 09/07/2011 approved as submitted. Motion: Gurr, 2nd Swan (6,0)
Public Comment: 3 in attendance. Discussion of recent FOIA request. Documents submitted. Public comment that they know of documents that have not been submitted. Robbins will research further.
New Business: ZA report 2 land use, 10 field checks, 0 attorney contact, 18 other public contacts, 0 violations
Gurr shared discussion of Senate Bill 472 and urged members to look at this.
Old Business: Zoning ordinance review:
5.09.03 C (reference to ambient) — Noise: An accessory wind energy system shall not cause a sound pressure..background noise, as measured by the ambient dB(A), whichever is greater, as measured at the nearest property line.
5.09.03 D (shadow flicker) Strike this bullet.
5.01.06 (easement width) leave at 22′
Discussion of illuminated signs. Sign at Alden Bar & Café is not in violation of current ordinance. Discussion to require signs be turned off when business is not open to the public.
5.10.06 (illuminated signs) Intro will read: May be illuminated unless otherwise indicated in this Chapter. Illuminated exterior signs, visible from the roadway, must be turned off at closing time.
Long discussion on Rural Residential District and means to determine parcels that would be re-zoned. Kate Redman explained need to draw clear zoning lines and not make determination based on parcels that meet tax tribunal requirements for agricultural. Members split on drawing lines. Motion by Dewald to establish boundaries. Motion was not supported. Further discussion to withdraw language from ordinance. Motion by Swan to strike Section 4.04 (Rural Residential). 2nd Gurr. (3, 2, 1 abstained).
Under definitions: Dwelling , Single Family: Strike standards listed. Will read: A building containing not more than one dwelling unit designed for residential use.
Discussion of Light Industrial District boundaries. Language will be left with two changes.
4.08.03 B will read as follows: Warehouse use and buildings subject to regulations in Chapter 5.
Move 4.08.04 – Required Conditions to Chapter 5.
Continued discussion on areas along East Torch Lake Drive and Crystal Springs Road that should be re-zoned to R-1. Review at next meeting.
Public Comment: Understand the process better after attending this meeting. Would like to see some protection for homeowners in the R1 district, some regulation or minimum requirements for short term rental. Property values will be adversely affected by increase in rentals.
Adjourn: Motion Johnson, 2nd Robbins. Carried (6,0) 10:04 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bonnie Robbins
Helena Township Planning Commission Recording Secretary