CATAWBA ISLAND TOWNSHIP
ZONING COMMISSION MINUTES
JANUARY 21, 2026
Attendee
William Baker
Ann Rumpf
Members of the Commission in attendance were Chairperson Jordan Davenport, Paul Shaw, Dr. Gregory Hart, and Alternate David Wonnell. Also in attendance were Chris Cellier, Trustee and Todd Bickley, Commission Secretary and Interim Zoning Inspector.
Chairperson Davenport called the meeting of the Catawba Island Township Zoning Commission to order at 7:00 p.m. For the record, he identified the date as January 21, 2026.
Alternate David Wonnell replaced Kevin Howe, who was absent.
Chairperson Davenport reviewed the Agenda.
Agenda Item 1 – Election of 2026 Officers
Agenda Item 2 – Text Amendments
Agenda Item 3 – Approval of Prior Meeting Minutes
Agenda Item 4 – Unfinished Business
Agenda Item 5 – New Business
Agenda Item 1 – Election of 2026 OfficersPaul Shaw made a motion to appoint Jordan Davenport as 2026 Chairman. The motion was seconded by David Wonnell. Motion passed.
Dr. Gregory Hart made a motion to appoint Paul Shaw as 2026 Vice-Chairman. The motion was seconded by David Wonnell. Motion passed.
David Wonnell made a motion to appoint Todd Bickley as 2026 Secretary. The motion was seconded by Dr. Gregory Hart. Motion passed.
Agenda Item 2 – Text Amendments
Chairman Davenport began the review of the proposed text amendments and read a letter from the Mark Messa, Director of the Ottawa Regional Planning Commission, identifying that the planning commission recommended approval of the text amendments as presented.
Secretary Todd Bickley reviewed the text amendments, which are attached.
Paul Shaw noted that he was agreeable with removing vegetation from the definition of a fence.
Dr. Gregory Hart made a motion to recommend to the township trustee’s approval of the text amendments as presented to the zoning commission. The motion was seconded by Paul Shaw. The motion passed with all board members voting in the affirmative. Chairman Davenport did not vote.
The November 19, 2025 meeting minutes were sent to the Board members. With no corrections or additions, Chairperson Davenport stated that the minutes as submitted stand approved.
Agenda Item 3 – Approval of Prior Meeting Mintues
The December 17, 2025 meeting minutes were emailed to the Board members. With no corrections or additions, Chairman Davenport stated that the minutes as emailed stand approved.
Both Chairperson Davenport and Paul Shaw questioned if the requirement of a gate and lock for a fence around the swimming pool conflicts with the definition of a fence that includes the statement that fence gates controlling access to areas occupied by persons shall be so constructed that emergency personnel can have access quickly and easily at all times without requiring special devices. Discussion followed and the Board determined that the text amendment should proceed as currently written.
Concerning Effect and Referendum, Board in the first line will be changed to Board of Township Trustees.
Paul Shaw made a motion to initiate the adoption of the proposed text amendments presented to the Zoning Commission and schedule the Zoning Commission public hearing for 7:00 p.m., January 21, 2026. The motion was seconded by Dr. Gregory Hart. Motion passed with all Board members voting in the affirmative. Chairperson Davenport did not vote.
Agenda Item 4 – Unfinished Business
Secretary Bickley indicated that was no unfinished business to conduct
Chairman Davenport recognized William Baker. Mr. Baker noted that the previous zoning inspector approved the zoning permit for canopies at the Midway filling station. Mr. Baker expressed disappointment with the commission for not taking action when requested to prohibit canopies at gas stations.
Agenda Item 5 – New Business
No new business to conduct.
Adjournment
Chairman Davenport commented that the next scheduled meeting of the Catawba Island Zoning Commission will be February 25, 2026. The meeting adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Todd Bickley
Secretary