TOWNSHIP MEMBERS PRESENT:
David Kulp, Chairman; Richard Lemke (7:11), Vice-Chair; Gordon Muir, Secretary; Commissioners George Magro, William Mazzara, Richard Mueller, Keith Vandenbussche, Lisa Marckini-Polk.
TOWNSHIP MEMBERS ABSENT:
Commissioner Vaughn Koshkarian
VILLAGE MEMBERS PRESENT:
John Heidt, Chairman; Kathy Amerman; Vice-Chair; Commissioners Gary Goodnow, Karen Worrell, Timothy Judici, Stanley Zasuwa, Craig Johnston and William Serchak.
VILLAGE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Commissioners Larry Keef.
ALSO PRESENT:
Nicholas Lomako, Township Planning Consultant; Randy Sapelak, Village Building Official; Timothy Brandt, Township Building Official; Sixty Three Audience members; Sheila Maxwell, Recording Secretary.
Chairman Kulp and Chairman Heidt called the joint meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. and determined that a quorum from both the Township and Village was present.
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no response from the public.
PLANNING CONSULTANTS SYNOPSIS OF THE DRAFT MILFORD COMMUNITY PLAN REVIEW COMMENTS
Planning Consultant Lomako of Wade-Trim reviewed the history of the draft Community Master Plan and the public hearing held January 29, 2009. Mr. Lomako reviewed exhibit A of the Milford Community Master Plan, Public Comment Review Summary, dated February 10, 2009. It examined the comments from the 63 day review period and the public hearing comments. It explained the proposals from the comments and his recommendations how to proceed. Mr. Lomako reviewed each item then asked for feedback from both the Village and Township Planning Commissions. The information discussed is as follows:
Proposal: Grant Mendelijian: Add a planned network of sidewalks or walkable/bike paths along the major arteries leading into the Village to promote a walkable community and connecting residents to the Village. Recommendation: Modify introductory paragraph on page 46, under heading of “Planned Connections” to document this objective. Discussion: No comment.
Proposal: William Terian: Modify lifestyle characteristics description of “sophisticated squired” to include equestrian families. Recommendation: No Action. Proprietary descriptions provided by ESRI in their Lifestyle Segments reports. Discussion: No comment.
Proposal: Willian Terian: Add paragraph stating local high school and middle schools have equestrian teams that ranked among the best in nation. Recommendation: No Action. Discussion: No comment.
Proposal: William Terian: Equestrian trails should be identified in a community way finding (signage) program. Recommendation: Amend Strategy 6, Balanced Transportation Network, by referencing needs of “horse enthusiasts. Discussion: No Comment.
Proposal: William Terian: Add horseback riding as one of the activities listed in first sentence, page 57, column 1. Recommendation: Add horseback riding among activities listed. Discussion: No comment.
Proposal: William Terian: Miscellaneous spelling and labeling corrections. Recommendation: Make corrections as identified. Discussion: No comment
Proposal: William Terian: Identify need to provide permanent equestrian campsite within Milford Community. Recommendation: No Action. Currently allowed in Kensington Metro Park. Discussion: No comment
Proposal: Kathleen Cassidy (Commerce Township): Recognize the role of neighboring communities for their contribution to the regional market, not only for industrial lands, but also for commercial, office and multiple-family users. Recommendation: Reference objective within Chapter 9, as objective for Vibrant Residential Neighborhood and Thriving Business District. Discussion: No comment.
Proposal: Kathleen Cassidy (Commerce Township): Hold annual meeting with Commerce Township to review each other’s land use policies. Recommendation: Expand proposal to include neighboring communities. Reference potential joint meetings as a footnote to paragraph 3, page 220. Discussion: Village Commissioner Karen Worrell agreed with meeting with Commerce but not limiting it just to them. Planning Consultant Lomako verified using all neighboring communities in the text.
Proposal: Larry Fox (Hartland Township): Statement of support. Recommendation: No action required. Discussion: No comment.
Proposal: LSL Planning, Inc. (City of Wixom): Modify Regional Existing Land Use Map (page 5) to correct for minor inconsistencies. Recommendation: Amend Regional Existing Land Use Map. Discussion: Village Planning Commission Chair John Heidt discussed the accuracy. Planning Consultant Lomako explained that the information would be more precise.
Proposal: LSL Planning, Inc. (City of Wixom): Modify Regional Future Land Use Map by designation Wixom Habitat Area as Open Space/Conservation area. Recommendation: Amend Regional Future Land Use Map. Discussion: No comment.
Proposal: Kirt Manecke: Update land use and subdivision ordinance to incorporate noted land use expert Randall Arendt’s effective conservation subdivision design methods. Recommendation: Reference methods as footnote to Objective 4, under Vibrant Residential Neighborhoods, page 128. Discussion: No comment.
Proposal: Kirt Manecke: Designate conservation subdivisions as a “by right permitted use” rather than forcing developers to obtain special approval. Recommendation: No action required. Proposal pertains to zoning ordinance. Discussion: No comment.
Proposal: John N Grissim: Seven specific design suggestions: provide pedestrian linkages to the downtown; various districts should contain passive open space areas; sidewalks along every street in the Village; parallel parking in front of all residential sites within the village; use of “bump out curbs’ at all roadway intersections; pedestrian scale lighting along main linkages; and, tree replacement program in Village. Recommendation: Several recommendations already embodied within document as objective or strategy, or within Regulating Plan chapter. [Note: draft Plan also recommends participating with DDA in the development of projects. (See page 130).] On street parking proposal should be addressed separately as Village Council policy. Add tree replacement program as “sustainable natural environment” strategy. Discussion: No Comment
Proposal: Cheryl Hartwig (verbal comment at Master Plan Public Hearing): Many buildings are currently vacant. We should fill them up before we support new development. Recommendation: No action required. [See also Objective 5, Thriving Business Districts, page 130.] Discussion: No comment.
Proposal: Judith Reiter (verbal comment at Master Plan Public Hearing): Master Plan should support housing for young families with children (as means to maintain viability of school facilities. Recommendation: No Action required. [See guiding Principle 8, page 111.] Discussion: Township Planning Commissioner Chair David Kulp explained that his understanding of the resident’s comment was based on encouraging young families to come into the community for reason of schools, not just housing. Planning Consultant Lomako recommended broadening the systems in that section. Village Planning Commission Chair John Heidt reviewed the resident’s concern with promoting young families.
Proposal: Village Planning Commissioner Karen Worrell: Consider potential application of renewable energy on Brownfield sites as a “new economy” strategy. Recommendation: Add as new economy strategy. Discussion: No comment.
Proposal: MDM Milford, LLV: Amend Master Plan to incorporate planned senior community for property generally located south of Oakland Avenue, east of Hilldale Circle, in the Village. Recommendation: No action. Area planned for Suburban Residential use. Proposal would require Multiple Family residential designation. Discussion: No Comment.
Proposal: Charlotte Burckhardt (Oakland County): Provide Executive summary. Recommendation: Provide executive summary. Discussion: Township Planning Commissioner William Mazzara commented that the executive summary should use common terms for future judgments. That the text doesn’t dilute the basis of the document but it refers to the text in it. Mr. Mazzara suggested a disclaimer at the end of the summary.
Proposal: Charlotte Burckhardt (Oakland County): Provide “implementation matrix” – a comprehensive listing of recommendations and action items found in the plan, presented by priority, lead party responsible for implementation and timeframe. Recommendation: Add “implementation matrix” as one of the first action steps to be completed by joint Steering Committee. Add item as recommendation on page 220. Discussion: No comment.
DISCUSSION OF CHANGES
Neither Village nor Township Planning Commissions had any comments regarding the Master Plan.
VILLAGE DRAFT RESOLUTION TO ADOPT COMMUNITY MASTER PLAN
Village Commissioner Serchak moved, Village Commissioner Johnston seconded to approve Village Planning Commission Resolution No. 1-2009 as amended at the joint Village and Township meeting January 29, 2009. Vote unanimously carried.
TOWNSHIP DRAFT RESOLUTION TO ADOPT COMMUNITY MASTER PLAN
Township Secretary Muir moved, Township Commissioner Mazzara seconded to approve Township Planning Commission Resolution No. 1-2009 as amended at the joint Village and Township meeting January 29, 2009. Vote unanimously carried.
VILLAGE PLANNING COMMISSIONER’S REMARKS
Village Commissioners had no comment.
TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSIONER’S REMARKS
Commissioner Mueller stated that he is opposed to the change in late 2008 to the last section. He believed that it did not provide comment for all of the hard work that was put into the Master Land Use Plan.
Township Planning Commissioner Mazzara extended his thanks and gratitude to Wade Trim and both Planning Commissions for a job well done.
Township Chairman David Kulp stated that everyone did such an outstanding job coming together for the development of the Joint Master Land Use Plan.
PLANNING CONSULTANT’S REMARKS
Planning Consultant Lomako had no comment.
ADJOURNMENT
Village Planning Commission Chairman John Heidt and Township Planning Commission Chairman David Kulp adjourned the February 26, 2009 joint Master Plan Planning Commission meeting at 7:31 p.m.
Charter Township of Milford,
Gordon Muir
Secretary | 
