Minutes of Helena Township Planning Commission
March 07, 2012
Meeting called to order by Swan at 7:06 p.m.
Opened with Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Present: Jim Swan Jim Gurr
Chris Dewald Bonnie Robbins
Roger Dewey Bob Johnson
Absent: Mike Robinson
Township officials present: Guy Molby
Approval of Agenda: Addition under New Business, Officer Elections Motion: Robbins, 2nd Gurr. Carried (6,0)
Statement of Conflict of Interest: None
Approval of Minutes: Minutes approved as submitted. February 1, 2012 Motion: Gurr, 2nd Swan (6,0)
Public Comment: 1 in attendance.
Communications: Letter requesting clarification on raising chickens in R1. Planning to relocate and would like to have a few chickens.
New Business: ZA report 1 land use, 8 field checks, 0 attorney contact, 11 other public contacts, 1 violation
Elections: Discussion of duties and need to maintain productive meetings. Included discussion of need for monthly meetings unless needed for Special Use permits. Decision to continue monthly meetings. Nomination for Chair: Swan nominated by Gurr, supported by Dewey. Carried (6,0)
Nomination for Vice Chair: Johnson nominated by Robbins, supported by Gurr. Carried (6,0)
Nomination for Secretary: Robbins nominated by Swan, supported by Dewald. Carried (6,0)
Old Business: Review of comments submitted by Antrim County Planning Commission. Gurr reported there were positive comments on the structure and flow of the ordinance. Concerns were address as follows:
- Remove bullet B under Bed & Breakfast section which restricted length of stay. Consensus that time limit was not needed.
- Discussion that mixed use is allowed in Village District and there was not a need to address this further at this time.
- Review of Chapter 9. Consensus to amend Purpose statement: The uses of land, buildings, and structures that were lawfully in effect at the original adoption of this ordinance may be continued. Strike Section 9.02 completely. Section 9.03 – Substandard Lots of Record renumbered and first line amended to read: Vacant lots in districts where single family dwellings are permitted which are nonconforming at the effective date of the original adoption of this ordinance because of a lack of the required number of acres, minimum number of square feet, lot width, lot depth, or other dimensional criteria, shall be allowed to be used and built upon for any use permitted in that district. Remainder of section unchanged.
Discussion and agreement to incorporate these final amendments and forward to the Township Board for final approval.
Public Comment: No additional comment.
Adjourn: Motion Johnson, 2nd Swan. Carried (6,0) 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Bonnie Robbins
Helena Township Planning Commission Recording Secretary