MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE LEE TOWNSHIP

PLANNING COMMISSION, WHICH TOOK PLACE ON TUESDAY,

JULY 3, 2007, LEE TOWNSHIP HALL, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN

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

ABSENT: Lee Thompson

OTHERS PRESENT: Tim Smith, Township Enforcement Officer

The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Chair Tom York.

It was moved by Darla Rippee, seconded by Dale Wolfgang, that the minutes of the regular meeting of June 5 and the special meeting of June 20, 2007, be approved as written. Motion carried.

There was no correspondence.

PUBLIC COMMENTS: Dale said he will try to obtain a copy of the proposed County ordinance for soil erosion and sedimentation control so the Planning Commissioners can have copies for their information.

Tom said he checked on the pre-1992 Zoning Ordinance, with regard to home occupations. That ordinance had no provision for special use permits for home occupations. No special uses were permitted prior to 1992. He said it was his opinion that, “since the Township chose not to enforce this type of business when they occurred, we are not going to go after them now.”

ENFORCEMENT OFFICER’S REPORT: Tim said all the complaints he has been dealing with are resolved except for four. Schultz (West Stewart Road) cleanup is coming along. Ronald Hammond is working on cleaning up his property. Fitzgerald (North Nine Mile Road) is working on the demolition of the old mobile home in his yard, and the Kleinhans on Pine River Road have until September 1 to complete the cleanup of their property.

The location of signs in various zoning districts was discussed. Tim commented that requiring a sign to be set back 25 feet from the road right-of-way is just not practical in most situations. The sign regulations in the proposed new Lee Township Ordinance will be looked at to be sure this matter is addressed.

Tim said he had received an application from Ralph Wiggins to rezone a piece of property adjacent to his business on M-20. The Commission tentatively set July 26 for the public hearing, pending receipt of the information from the Township Clerk.

The Commission was reminded of the joint meeting between the Planning Commission and the Township Board on Thursday, July 12, at 7:00 p.m., and the special Planning Commission meeting on July 16, to hear the request of the Midland Missionary Church for site plan review and approval of a fellowship hall on their property on the northeast corner of South Eleven Mile and West Prairie Roads. Tom will advise the Board that the Commission chose July 12 for the joint meeting.

Discussion of the proposed Rental Housing Ordinance based on the requirements of the International Property Maintenance Code took place. Tim said it should be kept “clean and simple.”

Darla asked if the Township was going to hire an Inspector, and said that the Township is not going to know when one family moves out of a rental property and another moves in.

Tom will give the Township Board a copy of the proposed document for their review again.

There was no further business, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Alexander

Secretary