MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LEE TOWNSHIP

PLANNING COMMISSION, WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY,

JANUARY 2, 2007,

LEE TOWNSHIP HALL, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

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

ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Mike Glynn, Township Trustee; Dan Coe, Lee Thompson, and Tim Smith, Enforcement Officer

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 December 5, 2006, be approved as written. Motion carried.

Darla announced that she is planning to attend the upcoming MTA Conference.

CORRESPONDENCE: Tom said an e-mail had been received from Dan Coe, expressing concerns about vehicles being stored in the yard of property at 183 West Isabella Road. The owner works for a towing company, and has cars parked on the property that are very close to the road right-of-way, creating vision clearance problems. The property owner has graded and filled his back yard, causing a water problem for the neighbor next door. The question was raised as to how close to the road right-of-way can a vehicle be parked and advertised for sale. Dale suggested turning the matter over to the Township Enforcement Officer and having him look at it. He also said that if the parked vehicles create a blind spot for drivers, that situation could be of concern to the Sheriff’s Department. It was determined that the matter would be discussed with the Enforcement Officer when he arrived at tonight’s meeting.

Carol said she had received all but one of the missing Zoning Ordinance sections from McKenna, and they indicated to her today they would send it to her on a disk, since they were unable to transfer it electronically.

Mike Glynn said he had spoken with Jerry Davis of the Township Code Authority about charges for rental inspections. If a rental unit is inspected and electrical problems are discovered, an electrical inspector would then have to be called in, resulting in expenses over and above those incurred for a routine inspection. The same would be true in the event of plumbing or mechanical violations. Mike said he will attend the next Code Authority Meeting later in January, and will have more information after that meeting. Tom reminded him that the Code Authority and the Township Board need to meet and discuss the proposed rental ordinance.

Mike said it would be the responsibility of the Township to notify landlords of inspections. He will find out from the Code Authority which months inspections can be scheduled.

Tom said he talked with the Code Authority about Ralph Wiggins’ building under construction on property on the north side of M-20. The Code Authority said no permit had been obtained for that building. Mr. Wiggins told Tom he had called the Code Authority twice about a permit, and when they didn’t call him back in what he thought was a reasonable amount of time, he began construction without a permit. He told Tom he is building a woodshed to store wood for the wood burner he uses on his business property. He said he had obtained a 100-foot piece of land from Richard Humburg, to the west of his business, and the woodshed is on that 100-foot parcel. Dale pointed out that if the property is only 100 feet wide, it does not meet the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance, which requires that a parcel of land be a minimum of 132 feet in width.

Tom was asked if Mr. Wiggins had combined the new parcel with the existing business parcel, creating a parcel in excess of the minimum width required. Carol said that if the two properties had been combined, Mr. Wiggins will still need to apply for a site plan approval for the accessory building he refers to as a wood shed. Tom will contact Dave Yost to see if a lot split was approved for Mr. Humburg’s property, and find out if the two parcels Mr. Wiggins owns have been combined into one tax code.

The Commission will discuss the final draft of the proposed Lee Township Ordinance at its next meeting. This will give the Commission time to review the document.

Carol asked about wetlands on the Township-owned property where the cemetery is. The pro-posed ordinance says no portion of any cemetery that is located in a wetland shall be developed or platted for grave sites. Dale said the area has been filled and is not in the flood plain.

ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT: Tim said that Mr. Schultz has until March 16 to clean up the Noack property on the north side of West Stewart west of Seven Mile Road. Mark Maddox has not cleaned up the property on the south side of West Gordonville Road where two mobile homes are being demolished. Tim will contact him.

Tim was given a copy of Dan Coe’s e-mail discussed earlier in the meeting. Tom asked Tim to keep an eye on the property. The owner has an impound lot on North Saginaw Road near Stark Road for his business.

Dale gave Tim five addresses and requested that they be checked out for what are believed to be violations of the blight ordinance.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2007: It was moved by Dale, seconded by Darla, that Tom York be elected Chair of the Commission. Motion carried. It was moved by Dale, seconded by Darla, that Carol Alexander be elected Secretary of the Commission. Motion carried. It was moved by Darla, seconded by Carol, that Dale be elected Vice Chair of the Commission. Motion carried.

Carol asked if there is any word on the appointment of a new Planning Commissioner. Tom said there are four names being discussed: Dennis Spitnale, Mike Spitnale, Dan Coe and Lee Thompson. The Supervisor makes the appointment; the Board approves or disapproves. Action is expected at the Board meeting on January 8.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Alexander, Secretary