Planning Commission Minutes

PC Minutes

NOV PLANNING COMMISSION
GRAYLING TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION

November 27, 2005

1. Meeting called to order by chairman, Jansen, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

3. Roll Call: all present.

4. Case # 05ISU

Delton Parks

1700 Hillsboro, S.E.

Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Property ID# 040-42-015-14-140-00

T26N R4W Sec 15

Local address: 2620 E Lakeshore Dr

Grayling, MI 49738

General Residential (R-2)

Request: Special Use Permit to combine parcels “B” and “C” and establish an existing 440 sf residence on lot “B” as a guest house, with main residence of 1335 sf on lot “C”. Combined lots would be in excess of minimum size in the R-2 District. (At this time the Planning Commission was advised that Mr. Kern, representing the petitioner would be late, so Supervisor Wright asked to be recognized)

Supervisor Wright indicated that the Zoning Commission felt the Planning Commission was not documenting our reasons to approve or disapprove a case and he introduced a document they had prepared that each member would fill out as a permanent addendum.

Minutes: DiPonio moved approval of the Oct. 25, 2005 minutes with the deletion of the second “Motion by Long” supported by Cox. Motion passed unanimously.

Chairman Jansen then moved on to hear Citizens in the audience.

Liz Noffsinger expressed concerns over run off pond behind the DuBois property. She wondered why this has been allowed to be placed on residential property.

Jansen replied it was also for snow storage and water run off. He also indicated the site plan came up of approval and nobody contested the plan then.

Mrs. Noffsinger said it was not published and asked if it shouldn’t have been re-zoned to reflect the surrounding zoning. She also wondered if the pond couldn’t have been on the flip-side by M-72, and why was it put on the residential lot and who requires run off? Jansen said the Township requires snow storage for parking lot.

Mrs. Noffsinger noted it holds water in the spring and wonders what kind of nuisance it would be – would mosquitoes breed there? How many other run-off ponds have been approved? Will it be fenced? Fencing is not allowed in our Master Deed in the condominium.

Hood recalled a drainage ditch around the perimeter to allow parking lot to drain.

Mrs. Noffsinger questioned why not change the grade.

Hood said it was graded to drain into the ditch. She asked if there was standing water in it now and was told no. She remarked about the high water in the Ausable River right now because of heavy snow and subsequent heavy rains and wondered if there would ever be a standing pond.

Mrs. Noffsinger wondered about property values and indicated that the Federal Condominium Act dictates Site Plan Approval. Jansen asked all board members must look at the lot and review the site plan.

Mrs. Noffsinger wondered as a side note can it be used as a future driveway, it is being used as one now.

Supervisor Wright said it is being allowed only during the construction phase only, and will be abandoned when DuBois has their C of O. Ann Doty remarked that she had just moved into Viking Village smack dab across from this driveway. She said there were many large trucks coming in and out and is scared to back out of her own driveways.

Supervisor Wright indicated the pond would only be 5 feet deep and that the site plan requires several plantings of trees around the lot.

Mrs. Noffsinger worried the pond would go to the edge of the lot.

Supervisor Wright said no, it can only comply with the approved site plan.

Mrs. Noffsinger said she was only worried about residential lot being used for a commercial lot. Could this be on next month’s agenda?

Jodi Robson wanted to add her voice and wondered if it was typical to dig a ditch 5 feet for snow storage. Does the DEQ require it to be so far away from a residential well? Everyone in Viking Village has raised septic fields because of the high water table.

Chad Noffsinger wondered what will go into the pong along with the runoff? They store treated lumber, OSB, etc, and wondered what would be leaching into the ground?

Jansen said our next regularly scheduled meeting is Dec. 27 and we can put this on the agenda, giving the Board ample time to look at the area.

Jansen then opened the Public Hearing on Case 05-ISU and asked if anyone was here to speck in opposition?

Kent McDonald said he was here to speak in favor.

Sue Brenner wrote a not in favor also.

Jansen said it seemed pretty clear, but wondered why Mr. Parks wanted to combine the lots since he was in no obligation to do so. Robert Kirn, representing the petitioner, explained that because of the raised seepage mounds, there was no place to build anything. Nobody has stayed in the place for 10 years and with a larger lot, Mr. Parks could build storage for snowmobiles.

Cox wondered what the north line set back was?

Mr. Kirn said the north property line set back is 20 feet.

Cox wondered if this small guest-house has a bath and adequate septic and was assured it did. Hood wanted to make it clear this was only a guest-house and was not for profit or rent. Mr. Kirn guaranteed it was for family and guest only.

Long moved to approve Case 05-ISU as it complies with Article II General Residential District (7.03 and 7.04) and would eliminate a non-conformity. Motion supported by DiPonio. Motion passes unanimously.

(All reasons for approval shall be found in the addendum)

Supervisor Wright wanted clarification on an issue of horses being kept on a lot that was not adequate. He indicated he had addressed this issue with the property owners last year who indicated they were moving to a 10-acre parcel. Since then, they have not moved, and after another complaint he again went out and was requested to send a written response.

Jansen thought that if Supervisor Wright sent a letter quoting the Article XI Recreational Forest, Section 11.02G and asked what where their plans to comply that it would serve as a written response.

Motion by Hood to adjourn, supported by DiPonio, passed unanimously. Ended at 7:40 p.m.