Minutes of Helena Township Planning Commission

February 6, 2015

Special Meeting

 

Meeting called to order by Gurr (9:00am)

Opened with Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call:                      Present:            Jim Gurr                  Bonnie Robbins

Chris Dewald           Ken Renaud

Absent:             Mike Robinson        Rodger Dewey

Bob Johnson

 

Township officials present:                    Guy Molby, David Peterson

 

Approval of Agenda:    Add approval of November and December  2014 meeting minutes after the Walker Shores discussion.   Motion: Robbins, 2^nd Renaud.  Carried

Statement of Conflict of Interest:          None

Public Comment:         (10 in attendance)  None

Communications:         information pertaining to Walker Shores discussed during continued review.

 

Regular meeting closed at 9:06 a.m.  Public Hearing for Walker Shores Development reopened for further public comment.

No further comment submitted.  Public Hearing closed at 9:08 a.m.

Old Business:  Walker Shores Development Discussion

Molby offered comment on mailings and responses.  13 notifications mailed.  5 returned.

Additional correspondence added to record with citizen concern about wetlands located on the                                        development site.

Redman discussed  the memorandum  dated November 6, 2015, addressing township legal                                             counsel’s review of the  documents submitted by Walker Shores.

-Question of lot size on Units 7 & 8.  Unsure if these meet minimum lot size.  Boozer will verify but                                                 is certain all lots meet or exceed minimum size requirement.

-Review of By Laws will be discussed  with Bozzer.  Bozzer stated updated Bylaws have not been                                                 recorded.  Bozzer will address this before the next meeting. Redman recommends                                                          ordinance restrictions that may affect common elements or are applicable to all lots, be                                                 addressed in the Condominium Documents now, as they will not be addressed in review                                                 of the individual lots when developed.

-Discussion of township’s liability in event of septic system failure and recommendation of                                                         conditions to include in approval that would address this concern.  Township could                                                         include inspection by the township.  This is a right of the township but not a duty.

 

Review from Lapham discussed.

-Concern of addressing runoff from surrounding parcels at the drainfield.  Construction should                                                    address diverting runoff.  Concern noted by Development representatives..

-Two lots have to cross retention basin or wetland area to connect to drainfield. .  Discussion that                                                             this will be addressed by the permitting agencies during approval of individual site                                                             applications.

-Road leading to drainfield not identified on plan.  Discussion that road is there and will be clearly                                                             identified when construction begins.

-No easement or shoulder on roads in the development, sharp curve at the bottom of one hill,                                                     steep grades.  Developer may or may not wish to address this.  Township does not have                                                             standards that would require changes.

-Utility depts. In detention area should be addressed in the plans.

-Approval should be subject to final approval of the waste water treatment system my MDEQ and                                                             the local health department.

 

Question from public:  Does zoning administrator go over the Master Deed and By Laws with each individual                               application?  Molby stated he does and most contractors check with his office before beginning work.

 

Comment from public concerning 2011 DEQ permit.  Permit is for 13 units not 12.  Bozzer stated it has been                                changed and is still enforced since the number of units is less.

Wastewater system is still not approved.  Discussion from Redman and Bozzer that they anticipate it will                                                 receive approval.

Concern fencing protecting wetlands during initial development will be removed and potential buyers may                                                 encroach on the wetlands when they build.  Suggest including language requiring fencing remain                                      in place until house is constructed.  Bozzer stated the fences will remain and are typically                                                 required during the development process.

 

Continued discussion among planning commission members about items noted and next step in the application process.  Consensus that final vote be held during the March 4, 2015 planning commission meeting.  Redman will update information based on this meeting and send  final recommendations for review.

 

Approval of Minutes:    November 5, 2014 as submitted.  Motion:  Renaud., 2^nd Robbins.  Carried

December 3, 2014, one name spelling change.  Motion:  Robbins, 2^nd Renaud.  Carried

 

Public Comment:  None

                       

 

Adjourn: Motion Renaud, 2^nd Dewald. Carried

 

Respectfully Submitted,

Bonnie Robbins

Helena Township Planning Commission Recording Secretary