MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LEE TOWNSHIP

PLANNING COMMISSION, WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY,

NOVEMBER 14, 2006,

LEE TOWNSHIP HALL, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

PRESENT: Planning Commissioners – Carol Alexander, Darla Rippee, Tom York, and Dale Wolfgang

ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Smith, Enforcement Officer, Dan Coe, and one other

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Tom York.

It was moved by Dale Wolfgang, seconded by Darla Rippee, that the minutes of the meeting of October 3, 2006, be approved as written. Motion carried.

Dale said that, in reference to the second item in the Township Enforcement Officer’s report of October 3 (Ed Schultz), Supervisor Dave Yost advised the Board that Mr. Schultz had filed a complaint against the Township with the ACLU. Dave explained the situation to the ACLU rep, and they determined that Mr. Schultz had no claim. According to Tim, Mr. Schultz’s claim was that he was a farmer, and the Enforcement Officer told him he had to get rid of his tractors. Tim said that was not true. It is permissible to store any farm equipment on the premises, but other vehicles, trash, litter, etc., are not permitted.

Dale asked that a copy of a recent article in the Michigan Township News be given to each member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. The article is entitled “Variance Madness: Fitting a Square Peg in a Round Hole.”

Tom announced that Toney Kerns submitted a letter to the Township Board, resigning from the Planning Commission. No one seemed to be aware of the reason for his action. Tom said the Board accepted the resignation at its meeting on November 13. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that the Board should advertise for Toney’s replacement on the Commission. Tom said advertising for a new member is not mandatory. It was felt that to advertise for the position would give the Board a good selection from which to choose.

ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT: Tim Smith said that the Johndro property on West Gordonville Road, on which two mobile homes are in the process of being demolished, has reverted back to the original owner, Attorney Mark Maddox, and that apparently Mrs. Johndro’s daughter is working on the cleanup.

With regard to the Noack property (Ed Schultz), Judge Donahue has given him until March 16, 2007, to clean it up.

Another complaint has been received on property at 872 West Isabella Road, just west of the Army Surplus Store. Tim talked with the owner, who apparently was angry about the Township, and told Tim, “Take me to court.” Tim gave him a notice to clean up the premises by November 17. If it is not cleaned up by then, Tim will ask the court for a date for a hearing.

A tall board fence is being put up on property at 1337 West Gordonville Road. According to Dale, “the purpose of the fence is to hide what’s going on.”

Carol mentioned that there are several accessory buildings under construction on Gordonville Road between Meridian and Eight Mile Roads, and questioned whether they all have permits. Tom said he has a list of recently issued building permits in the Township, but forgot to bring it to the meeting.

Tom said he spoke with Jerry Davis nearly a month ago and asked him if he had reviewed the rental forms we had given him. Jerry said he had glanced at them but had not really taken time to look them over. Mike Glynn told Tom he will set up a meeting with the Code Authority and the Township Board to work up a cost for rental inspections.

Dale said at the Township Quad meeting, Porter Township brought up the subject of the Property Maintenance Code. They are considering adopting it. MTA told them if they adopted the State Building Code, the Property Maintenance Code is a part of that, and they could use it for enforcement in their Township. The Lee Township Board has already adopted it.

Carol said she spoke with Donna Kripps of McKenna Associates on November 7. Donna said her staff had just completed their review of the updated copy of the proposed ordinance, which includes the State Zoning Enabling Legislation changes. Donna said she would try to get it into the mail to us by the end of the week. It has not been received as of this date and time. Tom said when it is received, it should be taken to Mashue Printing to have copies made for each Township Board and Planning Commission member, plus a couple of extra copies. Darla asked what the Commission’s next step is, and Tom responded that “We will have to go through it and review it” so we are familiar with all that it contains.

Tom reported that the Zoning Board of Appeals met last month to consider a petition for a variance for lot frontage. The petitioner was convinced to put a 66-foot right-of-way from the road to the point where the property widened, and to build his house on the wider part of the lot.

Dale said he had received a call from someone who was purchasing property on Seven Mile Road between Olson Road and M-20 and wanted to put an older mobile home on the property. Dale told the man to call the Supervisor and have arrangements made for an inspection of the mobile home by the Code Authority. Tom reminded Dale that there is no provision in our current Ordinance for this to happen. The mobile home would have to meet the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance today.

Dale mentioned that Ray Poirer’s property on Gordonville Road immediately west of the Gordonville Café has an old mobile home on it that is being used for the storage of used tires, and the door has been standing wide open for several days. He said this should be considered a dangerous building and dealt with accordingly.

It was noted that Joel Shook has not placed the screening along the M-20 side of his property, which was required by his site plan approval.

There was no further business, and the meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Alexander, Secretary