Minutes of Helena Township Planning Commission
September 9, 2014
Meeting called to order by Gurr (7:02pm)
Opened with Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Present: Jim Gurr Bob Johnson
Chris Dewald Bonnie Robbins
Welcome new member: Ken Renaud
Absent: Mike Robinson Rodger Dewey
Township officials present: Guy Molby
Approval of Agenda: as submitted Motion: Johnson, 2nd Dewald. Carried
Statement of Conflict of Interest: None
Approval of Minutes: Correction on name spelling. Motion: Johnson, 2nd Robbins. Carried
Public Comment: (0 in attendance)
None
Communications: Discussion that conference on Mackinaw Island may be of value for content but the expense to the tax payer to send representatives is excessive.
Robbins shared letters that had been submitted to the Board of Trustees concerning the extended use of fireworks and requests for ordinance language. Robbins asked Molby if Sheriff Bean had discussed if the county had completed their language as she had been absent from the last Trustees meeting. Molby reported Bean had not reported on this subject. Robbins wanted the commission members aware the topic is in the process of being addressed, policing ordinances have been drafted by the Trustee board in the past but the commission may be asked to address this when the county has language we can refer to and draft an enforceable ordinance.
Discussion of Private Roads language suggestions from Kate Redman, legal counsel. Language was discussed during last review of ordinance. Review of language that was meant to be removed and consensus to strike bullet J in section 7.07 or the ordinance (pg 90) to solve the issue of road standards in the ordinance. Language requiring the road have approval from the fire department for equipment serviceability and county road commission will remain, but there will be no defined standards. Commission members will review the document and identify any conflicts with the road language in both the zoning ordinance and master plan. These topics will be addressed at a public hearing to be held after the work sessions have been completed.
Old Business: Zoning violation fee language:
Discussion as to where the language request came from. Molby stated he did not request the language. Discussion that ordinance has served township in the past and administrator has been able to resolve issues without fines. No language change recommended at this time.
New Business:
ZA report
Aug 2014: Land Use 7 , Field Checks 16 , Attorney Contacts 0 , Public Contacts 21 , Zoning Violations 0
Public Comment: None
Adjourn: Motion Dewald, 2nd Johnson. Carried
Respectfully Submitted,
Bonnie Robbins
Helena Township Planning Commission Recording Secretary