ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
JANUARY 4, 2017
Attendees
Allen Stryker
Richard Smetzer
Brenda Brahier
Diane Belden
John Meister
Chairman Paul Shaw called the meeting of the Catawba Island Township Zoning Commission at 7:30 p.m. For the record, he identified the date was January 4, 2017.
He introduced himself, as well as the other Commission members, that included Jordan Davenport, Vice Chairman, Stephen Lonneman, Alternate Dr. Gregory Hart. Also introduced were Todd Bickley, Catawba Island Township Zoning Inspector and Board Secretary and newly appointed Alternate Lewis Mindlin.
Mr. Shaw welcomed those in attendance. He stated the Zoning Commission appreciated their interest. He advised those in attendance that debates/talking amongst themselves would not be permitted. He asked that those in attendance sign the register. He requested that any person wishing to speak be recognized by the chairperson and identify themselves by name and address for the record. He asked that all cell phones be turned off. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Mr. Shaw suggested the following agenda for the meeting.
1) The organizational meeting electing a Chairman, Vice-Chairman, and Secretary for 2017.
2) Discuss the comprehensive set of zoning text amendments to the current Catawba Island Zoning Resolution.
3) The reading and approval of our last meeting minutes from November 29, 2016 meeting.
4) Any old business.
5) Any new business.
Mr. Shaw asked if there were any additions or changes to the proposed agenda. There were none. Dr. Gregory Hart made a motion to approve the proposed agenda for the meeting. Steve Lonneman seconded the motion. The motion passed.
1. Organizational Meeting
Jordan Davenport made a motion to reappoint Paul Shaw as Chairman of the Catawba Island Township Zoning Commission for 2017. The motion was seconded by Dr. Gregory Hart. Motion passed.
Steve Lonneman made a motion to reappoint Jordan Davenport as Vice-Chairman of the Catawba Island Zoning Commission for 2017. The motion was seconded by Dr. Gregory Hart. Motion passed
Chairman Paul Shaw made a motion to reappoint Todd Bickley as Secretary of the Catawba Island Township Zoning Commission for 2017. The motion was seconded by Jordan Davenport. Motion passed.
Mr. Shaw stated that 2017 Zoning Commission Officers were the following:
Chairperson Paul Shaw
Vice-Chairperson Jordan Davenport
Secretary Todd Bickley
Agenda Item 2 – Mr. Shaw asked for a motion for the recommendation of a comprehensive set of text amendments of the current Catawba Island Township zoning resolution be made to the Catawba Island Township Trustees. Jordan Davenport moved to recommend approval of the text amendments. His motion was seconded by Stephen Lonneman.
Mr. Shaw questioned Todd Bickley if he had received any correspondence. Mr. Bickley has not received correspondence.
Jordan Davenport read the letter from the Ottawa Regional Planning Commission, who recommended approval of the text amendments.
Mr. Shaw commented that the zoning resolution went into effect in 1965 and it has been amended forty-two times since then, which shows that it is a living, breathing document and continues to change.
The Board indicated that they have reviewed the proposed changes and both Mr. Shaw and Mr. Davenport are comfortable with the changes.
The “C-1” and “C-2” Districts were reviewed and Mr. Bickley noted that neighborhood business remains a permitted use in the “C-1” and “C-2” Districts, which by definition is a business that employs less than eight people and has a total floor area of less than 4,000 square feet. Richard Smetzer, who assisted the township with the proposed text amendments, noted that in the “C-2” District, retail sales and businesses has been deleted and replaced with shopping centers comprised of two or more neighborhood businesses. In addition, several uses were deleted as permitted uses and then added as conditionally permitted uses. Mr. Smetzer noted that parking and the use it serves must be in the same zoning classification and auxiliary lots are not permitted.
Mr. Bickley noted that outdoor wood fired furnaces are now defined and listed as conditional use in the “A” District. Mr. Davenport agreed with the proposal.
General discussion followed. Mr. Bickley noted that the zoning commission makes a recommendation to the Trustees. The Catawba Island Trustees will schedule a public hearing, preceded by a minimum ten day notice, and then the Trustees will make the final decision. They have twenty days after the public hearing to make the decision. If approved or some modification approved, the text amendments will go into effect thirty days after the decision date.
Mr. Shaw noted that the Catawba Island Township Trustees public hearing will be January 24, 2017 at 7:30 P.M.
With discussion closed, Mr. Shaw asked for a vote on the motion that has been made and seconded to recommend approval of the comprehensive set of text amendments of the current Catawba Island Township Zoning Resolution be made to the Catawba Island Township Trustees. The motion was unanimously approved.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Shaw requested a motion to approve the minutes of the November 29, 2016 meeting as mailed. Jordan Davenport moved for their approval. Stephen Lonneman seconded the motion. The motion passed.
Old Business
No old business to conduct.
New Business
No new business to conduct.
Mr. Shaw indicated that the next meeting of the Catawba Island Township Zoning Commission is 7:00 P.M., February 22, 2017.
Adjournment
Jordan Davenport moved to adjourn the meeting. His motion was seconded by Dr. Gregory Hart. Motion passed. The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Todd BIckley
Secretary