Special Planning Commission Meeting
Blue Lake Township Hall
1491 Owasippe Road
Twin Lake, MI, 49457
August 12, 2020
The Planning Commission Meeting started at 6:05 PM
Present were: Mike Sikkenga, Lyle Monette, Jim Cordray, Mark Slater
Guest: Todd Conzemius – Zoning Administrator
Public Guests: 2
Absent: Greg Rice
Minutes: Lyle made a motion to approve the minutes dated July 15, 2020 and Mark seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously approved.
Member Reports: None
Task of the Meeting: Review Ordinance 75. Review anything requiring a Special Land Use Permit.
Todd presented concerns about the requirement in the new ordinance to apply for a Special Land Use permit for keeping and raising of domestic animals. Todd recommends a change in the zoning to allow this without a Special Land Use permit. Mark recommended removing subsection (E.) in its entirety from page 380:109 of Ordinance 75. This would clear up zoning confusion related to the requirement of a Special Land Use permit in this instance. To further clarify the language Todd recommended removing (F.) on page 380:48 The Planning Commission was in agreement that the language was confusing and that the intent of the Ordinance was not to require a Special Land Use permit for keeping of domestic animal in instances that met the language stated under Article IV of the Ordinance.
Discussion took place regarding a tower request by Michigan Crossroads Council – Boy Scouts at address 1733 Owasippe Rd, Twin Lake. The Planning Commission recommends the zoning application can go forward for the tower to be built with a stipulation of it being for non-commercial use.
Todd recommended a change in the zoning to allow for non-commercial use of a tower to not require a Special Land Use permit. Commercial use would still require a Special Use Permit.
Todd also recommended requiring a Special Land Use permit for Utility Scale Solar Energy Collectors and Systems as described in Article XXIII of Ordinance 75. The requirement language could be stated in Article XX Special Land Uses.
Language for the changes described and recommended will be presented at the next Planning Commission meeting for further discussion and review.
Jim asked the Planning Commission regarding any recommendations or comments about a zoning change to address contagious disease. Jim will contact the Township Supervisor for any correspondence with the Township Attorney on this topic.
Next Meeting: August 26 at 6:30 PM
Public Comments: Kevin McCabe resident at 1173 W Holton Whitehall Rd stated concerns about outdoor wood stoves with regard to health and zoning enforcement of outdoor wood stoves.
Jim Schlicting resident at 10400 Blue Lake Rd stated concerns about agricultural use and zoning requirements pertaining to agricultural use. He also commented about the natural beauty designation of Owasippe Rd with regard to towers. He also commented on previous public health concerns and the health department designations with regard to the concerns.
Meeting adjourned at 7:30
Michael Sikkenga, Secretary
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