Planning Commission
January 14, 2010
7:00 p.m.

 

1. Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. 

2. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag 

3. Roll call:  Present:  Short, M. Boulier, Cataldo, Cunningham, Silk, Acciavatti
           Absent:  Dembinski, Kays, D. Boulier 

4. Motion by:  Motion by Boulier to approve agenda.  Seconded by Cunningham.  Motion carried unanimously. 

5. Motion by Cunningham to approve minutes as presented.  Seconded by Silk.  Motion carried unanimously. 

6. Brief public comment:  None 

7. Correspondence/Communications 

            Semscope
            MTA Magazine
            Township Board Minutes
            Metro Planning Workshop 2-25-2010           

            Chairman Short read resignation letter from Planning Commission from Jim Taylor.           

8. New Business:             

            Chairman Short introduced Pat Acciavatti new Planning Commission member.  Short
            read letter of introduction from Pat.  Welcome Pat
            Also new member James Dembinski (not in attendance)
 

            Short introduced new Building Inspector, Brian Bayly.  Will be in office Monday,
            Wednesday and Friday 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.            

9. Old Business: 

            9a. Discussion regarding private roads – Copy of China Township Private Road Ordinance received.  Discussed reasons for increasing lot size, economy was strong, people wanted to build on very small lots and add buildings, etc.  Acciavatti constructed a private road years ago.  At the time there was a market for vacant property.  Now there are thousands of parcels for sale, with water and sewer services.  Cataldo, what is our goal at the end of the discussion, are we trying to encourage private roads, maintain the four acre minimum.  China Township has smaller acre sizes and smaller frontage.  We could build in incentives to the ordinance, open space preservation, landscaping, smaller lot sizes, etc.  Supervisor Mahaffy  - the reason this has resurfaced is we have had some inquiry from residents that have large parcels that would like to split up and have parcels for family members.  We are not interested in putting in a road and constructing 30 houses on it.  Silk – when we initially went to the four acre minimum, we were the fastest growing township in the county and we were trying to slow down the growth somewhat.  Silk – have we heard anything from the county regarding their requirements and standards for maintenance?  Have not received anything yet.  Acciavatti – you could require the roads be built to county standards – you are really talking about public safety.  Could emergency vehicles get down the easement.  Cataldo – the road maintenance agreement for my road is not that tight – I think we should make sure the maintenance agreement is correct.  We have an agreement, but as the developer sold lots he did not have everyone sign the agreement and it is not a recorded document.  Cunningham – there are probably residents in the community that may want to split their property, but from a developers I don’t think we will see that happening anytime soon.  From a Planning Commission stand, we should get prepared with some documentation and come to some agreement and if there becomes a demand for it we will have a set of standards developed and decide if we want to adopt the ordinance.  Cunningham – once we get our information do we as a Planning Commission put it together, or do we have staff that would be able to put the information together? 

Mahaffy  - We have several options.  We could hire a planner.   

Cunningham – I would like to get a copy of our old standards and compare it to the sample we have and maybe get some questions together and send them to the county.   

Acciavatti – At the time a road is constructed it should be inspected by the Township as well as the county.  That way if it passes county specs it could be transferred at anytime into the county system.  Maintenance agreement is a critical part of the road.   

Short – can everyone get the old ordinance, sample ordinance mailed to us prior to the next meeting.  We would also like information from St. Clair County.   

Cataldo – If the objective is to allow someone who would like to split the property for their four or five kids I think if we mandate the road be constructed to county standards it will be cost prohibitive for that to happen.   

Acciavatti – Maybe we don’t need such an expensive road for private roads.  We could do standards for shared driveways.   

10. Call from the floor: 

            J. Leaman – Status of motocross property?  No further action from property owner.           

            Supervisor Mahaffy – Pond ordinance, I would like to compare the pond ordinance
            to other communities.  The Township Board would like to see a simpler ordinance. 
            Could the Planning Commission look at other ordinances and see if there is something
            that would be easier to understand.  Planning Commission will look at it further.
            Supervisor Mahaffy will send sample ordinances to commission. 

11.Reports:           

            Township Board – Howard Silk – No report – questioned definition of Heritage Route
            Supervisor Mahaffy explained route.  Also questioned ditching off Rattle Run Rd. 
            (Wolfe Drain maintenance) 

BZA – Frank Short – No meeting 

12a. Call from the table: 

           Cataldo – Seminar at St. Clair Inn – recommending area Communities work together. 
           Seminar coming up:  St. Clair County Economic Development Strategy Meeting
           1-19-2010 at St. Clair Golf Club – Volunteer group
 
           Discussion held regarding next step in developing bike path route 

           Next meeting scheduled for February 11, 2010 7:00 p.m. 

Meeting adjourned 8:10 p.m. 

 

                                                                                   Respectively submitted,
  

                                                                                   Mike Boulier, Secretary