Planning Commission

 

The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairman Amerman at 7:30 p.m. A quorum was present.

 

PRESENT

Vice-Chairman Kathy Amerman; Commissioners Gary Goodenow, Craig Johnston, Peter Murad, Karen Worrell, Stanley Zasuwa

 

ABSENT

 

Chairman John Heidt; Commissioners Larry Keef, Larry Martin

 

ALSO PRESENT

 

Building Official Randy Sapelak; DDA Director, Ann Barnette Vice-Chairman Amerman announced for the Public that the meetings were recorded for transcription purposes only.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

 

Regular Meeting December 13, 2007

 

PC-08-01 Zasuwa moved, Johnston seconded, to accept the minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of December 13, 2007, as presented. Motion CARRIED

 

CALL TO PUBLIC

 

James Eppink of J. Eppink Partners, Inc., 39 S. Main, Clarkston, was present to ask the Commissioners to consider two amendments to the landscape plan for SP-07-03. He explained that Mr. Sinacola, the owner of the restaurant, is requesting to be permitted to keep the decorative rock along the perimeter of the patio. He explained that having the mulch as indicated on the approved site plan will only wash away and allow mud to come up onto the patio when it is being hosed down. He said the decorative stone will hold the soils in place and keep erosion from happening. He said the second amendment to the site plan would allow them to add gates at two of the entrances along the perimeter decorative fence. He explained that after hours, Mr. Sinacola wants the general public to recognize that the property is private.

 

Ms. Barnette said the site plan was approved for a 27” high wrought iron fence that would match others within the Village. She said the fence that was installed is of residential grade and not commercial grade as approved on the site plan. She said the DDA objects to the stone in the planting beds and continues to support the original approved site plan.

 

Mr. Eppink said the fence installed will be corrected and the new fence will be as indicated on the approved site plan, commercial grade and not to exceed 27”, with the addition of the two gates if amended tonight.

 

The Commissioners discussed Sec. 94-352, Plant materials, of the ordinance.

 

Mr. Sapelak said he did not believe allowing the decorative stone would violate the intent of the ordinance.

 

Commissioner Murad asked that Mr. Sinacola come to the meeting in February or submit a letter to Planning Commission addressing the function of the plastic awning around the patio and whether Mr. Sinacola intends to use the patio year round.

 

PC-08-02 Johnston moved, Worrell seconded, pursuant to SP-07-03, the fences are to match each other as approved on the original site plan, the height of the perimeter fence to be 27”, gates are to be added on each end, the material is to be agreed upon by the parties involved and the ground cover to be changed to stone in the interior perimeter. Motion CARRIED

 

Ms. Barnette told the Commissioners that the fire department is considering expanding at their current location on W. Huron, and was present at the last Council meeting to ask for approval to construct a new fire station utilizing the entire 2.0 acre site. She said at the meeting, Council postponed action until their next meeting in hopes of getting input from other boards and commissions. She said the fire department did not provide a lot of definitive information and that a couple of things should be considered first. She said the Village should not give a piece of property away without first seeing how the building would be placed on the property. She explained that the property was an important part of Milford’s history, and is a part of the original public square. She said Planning Commission needs to be involved with helping Council make their decision and at this time not enough is known to make a decision. She said the fire department has other alternatives available to them.

 

Commissioner Goodenow said he was at the last Council meeting as well. He said while he would like to see the fire department expand where they are proposing instead of using up park land, he would like to see a conceptual site plan before any decisions are made. He said he would be more than happy to work with the fire department as a representative of Planning Commission.

 

Commissioner Worrell said she disagreed with Commissioner Goodenow and would like to see the fire station located at another site. She said she agreed that the fire department needs to expand but that research needs to be conducted before a decision is made.

 

PC-08-03 Goodenow moved, Johnston seconded, that Planning Commission officially advise Council that we cannot take any position on a new fire hall without a site plan submitted, or at least some basic information as to what it will look like or where it will be placed.

 

DISCUSSION

 

Commissioner Worrell asked if it should be added to the motion that Council should look at the history of the site and consider what it means to be a public square.

 

Vice Chairman Amerman said that would be a discussion to have once a site plan was received.

 

Commissioner Worrell said she did not need a site plan to decide whether or not she thought the property should remain a public square.

 

PC-08-03 Motion CARRIED

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

 

SP-06-09, Carlson Homes, Inc., 16-11-155-005, 120 E. Liberty, Proposed 3-Story Office Building, Request for Postponement

 

Mr. Sapelak said that at this point concerning SP-06-09, the Planning Commission should probably deny the request and allow the applicant to resubmit once they are confident they will be moving forward with the project.

 

PC-08-04 Zasuwa moved, Goodenow seconded, to deny SP-06-09, Carlson Homes, 16-11-155-055, 120 E. Liberty, due to lack of progress and information. Motion CARRIED

 

Proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment, Sec. 94-386, (h), Period of Completion

 

PC-08-05 Goodenow moved, Zasuwa seconded, to set a Public Hearing to consider Proposed Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments to Sec. 94-386 (h), Period of Completion. Motion CARRIED

 

COMMISSIONER COMMENTS

 

Commissioner Worrell reminded everyone of the joint meeting next Monday, 1/14/08, between all boards and commissions. She said the joint master plan meeting on 1/8/08, went very well.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.

 

Nancy Scott, CMC

Milford Village Deputy Clerk