DELHI CHARTER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES MEMBERS PRESENT: Heller, Sweet, Leaf, Donaldson, O’Hara, Brighton, Smith MEMBERS ABSENT: Keen, McCormick OTHERS PRESENT: Jim Sturdevant, Director of Community
Development/Planner; Chairperson O’Hara called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA: None MINUTES Motion by Heller, support Brighton, to approve the Minutes of the November 27, 2000, meeting with the following correction: remove Commissioner Keen’s name from the Members Present list. Also, the following was inadvertently omitted from the November 13, 2000, Minutes and should be inserted as follows after AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA: MINUTES Motion by Sweet, support Donaldson, to approve the Minutes of the October 23, 2000, meeting as written. MOTION CARRIED. PUBLIC COMMENT: None
PETITIONS RECEIVED Special Use Permit #2000-193 – DTN Enterprises LLC – vacant property north of Holt Rd. and east and west of Wigman Rd. – Residential Planned Unit Development Mr. Richard Cooley, architect for the DTN Enterprises project, was present. DTN Enterprises is located at 2502 Lake Lansing Rd., E. Lansing. Copies of The Aspen Lakes Development proposal dated December 8, 2000, were distributed. He reviewed the proceedings so far for the residential Planned Unit Development proposal. At the rezoning public hearing many neighboring residents voiced concerns regarding connection of the proposed project into their neighborhood. Subsequently, a major change was made to the proposed plan to address the traffic concerns. The proposed single family portion of the project would access off Keller Rd. onto a one-block length of the north end of Wigman Rd. and would not go through to Holt Rd. The condominium and apartment portion of the project would access from Holt Rd. onto a proposed newly aligned road with a new name that would turn east about half way between Keller and Holt Rds., connecting with adjacent vacant property to the east. Eventually, it would loop back to Holt Rd. across from Holloway Dr. He and Township Manger Elsinga and Township Engineer Scheuerman met with Bob Peterson of the Ingham County Road Commission a few weeks ago to discuss abandoning the existing Wigman Rd. and constructing a new road. Mr. Peterson didn’t have a problem with the road proposal and Township officials seemed to be supportive of the idea. The Ingham County Road Commission considered the request last Thursday and stated that they would be willing to abandon the existing right-of-way in lieu of a proposed new plan as long as detailed plans for the new road alignment were presented simultaneously. The number of proposed residential units was originally 660 which was later reduced to 598 when it was decided not to rezone the northern portion of the property to high density. The road realignment further reduces the number of proposed units to 559, and the overall density of the principal use, being single family, would be 3.45 units per acre which is medium density. All of these changes taken together represent a modified plan that hopefully addresses everyone’s concerns. Commissioner Brighton raised a fire safety concern about there being only one access to Holt Rd. for all the condominiums and apartments and asked if another access could be provided to Holt Rd. from the southeastern portion of the proposed project. Mr. Cooley replied that the area Commissioner Brighton is referring to contains a lot of wetland and this hasn’t been looked into. Discussion was held. Chairperson O’Hara suggested that Mr. Cooley be prepared to define the area of the planned unit development at the public hearing. Mr. Cooley commented that the proposed commercial development along Holt Rd. is not part of the planned unit development. Commissioner Heller asked how many lanes the proposed road would have because he has a concern about the number of units accessing the same street. Mr. Cooley answered that it would have two lanes. He further explained how the development would be phased as outlined in the Aspen Lakes Development proposal. Commissioner Heller asked how long the development would take. Mr. Cooley responded that the entire project would take five to eight years to develop. Commissioner Donaldson noted that Mr. Cooley may want to be prepared to address traffic impact on Holt Rd., construction quality for all the types of housing units, and phasing plans at the time of the public hearing. Commissioner Brighton asked how the ponds would be maintained. Mr. Cooley replied that the ponds in the proposed apartment project would be owned and maintained by the apartment owner, DTN Enterprises, LLC. The ponds in the condominium area would be owned and maintained by the condominium association. In addition, the Ingham County Drain Commission would require an easement for all of the ponds, storm sewer lines, and open drain areas. Additional information was given. Commissioner Smith stated that Mr. Cooley may want to address whether the single-family homes would be included in the pond maintenance requirements. Commissioner Leaf said he also is concerned about only one way in and out for 483 units. He would like to know the Fire Department’s opinions on that. He asked for clarification that 214 condos and 269 apartments are proposed. Mr. Cooley confirmed this. Commissioner Leaf continued that he would like to include the total number of proposed units at such time that the motion for special use permit approval is made. This would address the density concern of the surrounding neighbors and assure that additional units aren’t added. Good changes have been made to the proposed development. Mr. Cooley responded that the Road Commission does want the realigned Wigman Rd. to loop back to Holt Rd. for additional access. There will probably be discussion on how many units will be allowed before a second access is required. Motion by Smith, support Donaldson, to set Special Use Permit #2000-193 to public hearing on January 22, 2001. MOTION CARRIED.
Special Use Permit #2000-196 – Connelly Properties LLC – 6025 Aurelius Rd., Lansing – Operation of crane rental business including storage and maintenance of equipment Mr. Robert Titus of 6235 Grand River in Laingsburg was present for Connelly Properties. He said the company wishes to purchase the subject property and utilize it as the Lansing base for the business. Wicker Trucking and Gravel is presently the subject property owner. Chairperson O’Hara stated that the petitioner should be prepared to address whether additional buildings are proposed and explain what is meant by maintenance of equipment and whether it would occur inside or outside. Commissioner Heller asked if the entire site is being used for the proposed business. Mr. Titus replied that just the fenced-in area would be used at this time. In the future it may be sold off or the company may expand into the rest of the parcel. It would depend on how much machinery would be brought to the site for storage between jobs or for maintenance. Commissioner Heller further asked the reason for all the trucks presently parked on the property. Mr. Titus answered that a trucking company is leasing from Wicker. The trucking company has a long-term lease but he doesn’t have the details on it. Commissioner Brighton inquired about conflicts regarding the subject property. Mr. Sturdevant responded that there have been some dealings between the present property owner and the zoning code enforcement officer. Mr. Titus stated that the crane business is very much in the public eye and it is to their benefit to keep their equipment in good condition. Discussion was held. Commissioner Donaldson said he would want to see a proposed landscaping and screening plan. Also, it appears that one of the driveways is outside the south property line. Does the property owner have legal access to this drive? Discussion was held on this and also on the submission of a complete site plan. Commissioner Leaf said the public may have questions about how high the cranes project into the air. Also, he feels there may be safety and security issues along the rear of the property due to the location of soccer fields, railroad tracks, and dirt bike trails in the area. And he pointed out that employee parking would have to be paved. Commissioner Smith stated that it may be important to specify the number of equipment items to be used on the property to help address future site plan enforcement issues. Discussion was held concerning hazardous waste containment, temporary storage of construction supplies for customers, and possible placement of the number and location of equipment on the site plan. Commissioner Brighton asked why the subject site was chosen for the business. He noted that the Downtown Development Authority is trying to dress up all the approaches to Holt. Mr. Titus answered that the site was chosen because of access to the highway. Chairperson O’Hara asked about the amount of acreage being used for the business. Mr. Titus stated that the three-acre parcel owned by Wicker Trucking is being purchased, and the adjacent 5.9 acres to the rear owned by Consumers Energy will be leased, with only the fenced portion as shown on the proposed site plan to be used at the present time for outdoor storage. Motion by Leaf, support Heller, to set Special Use Permit #2000-196 to public hearing on January 22, 2001. MOTION CARRIED.
Special Use Permit #2000-197 – Scott Sigman/Gilmore Properties – 1375 N. Cedar St. - Servicing and repair of motor vehicles Mr. Sigman was present to represent SCS Auto Club at 701 Curtis St. in Mason. The plan is to operate an auto repair facility on the subject property, including heavy engine repair, basic oil changes, tuneups, brakes, mufflers, etc. He presently does this kind of work in Mason, including work on the Ingham County Sheriff’s Dept. patrol vehicles and the Delhi Division police vehicles. Chairperson O’Hara asked what kind of work is presently being done at the subject property. Mr. Sigman replied that Gilmore Mechanical, an HVAC company, installs heaters and air conditioners. The front portion of the building was used as an auto repair facility at one time and contains three inground hoists. This is where he proposes to do business. Commissioner Heller stated that a previous petitioner was denied use of the site for auto repair. Commissioner Sweet expanded on this, saying that parking was a major issue as well as setback from the road. Mr. Sigman replied that he has come up with a plan for parking at the rear of the property. Commissioner Smith asked how cars would enter the bays in the front of the building due to lack of setback space. Also, landscaping and lighting, etc. would have to be addressed. Mr. Sigman answered that the cars may have to be pushed into the bays, which is what he does sometimes at his present location. He has also had discussion with the Road Commission and received an approval letter with a list of trees which he can choose from to plant in the front of the property, preventing any parking along the front. He also plans to upgrade the property in other ways as much as is possible even though he’s leasing from Gilmore Mechanical. Commissioner Heller said he saw a lot of ductwork in the proposed parking area. What will Gilmore Mechanical do with their waste materials? The property doesn’t look like it’s been kept up very well and the fencing is in poor condition. Major work will have to be done. Mr. Sigman responded that the minutes concerning the previous petitioner’s auto repair request listed nine issues of which about seven were due to the parking. The building setback cannot be addressed but the greenbelt requirement may be addressed by the Road Commission’s landscape requirements. His plan is to clean up the property as much as possible and he’ll work with Mr. Gilmore. Commissioner Heller also asked who would be paying for the improvements and Mr. Sigman said he would pay for them himself. Chairperson O’Hara noted that Mr. Sigman should also be prepared to address hours of operation for the business. Commissioners Leaf and Heller expressed concern about whether there would be enough room for two businesses to operate on the property. Mr. Sigman said he thinks the parking requirements in the ordinance would just barely be met for both businesses. He will have a contract with Mr. Gilmore so that both businesses can use the property, and he added that Mr. Gilmore was present if the Commissioners had any questions. Commissioner Donaldson noted that after the ten-foot front greenbelt requirement there would be only twelve feet left to maneuver vehicles in and out. Discussion was held. Commissioner Heller asked about the existing fence that he thinks is dangerous. Mr. Sigman answered that he is open to suggestions regarding the fence, and would consider a privacy fence. Additional discussion was held on parking and landscaping. Motion by Smith, support Donaldson, to set Special Use Permit #2000-197 to public hearing on January 8, 2001. MOTION CARRIED.
COMMITTEE REPORTS Report from Director of Community Development/Planner Mr. Sturdevant reviewed the Community Development November activity report. Twenty permits were issued for a total valuation of $1,437,154. Questions were asked and discussion held.
Commissioner Sweet reported on the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting held earlier this evening. Mr. Leatrice Thomas was granted an additional foot and a half side setback for a garage at 4201 Wanstead. At the September 2000 Board of Appeals meeting he was given a three-foot variance; however, when the building plans were drawn up, there wasn’t enough room to install the garage door.
Commissioner Donaldson asked if the Master Plan needs to be revisited regarding high density area on Holt Rd. Because of the rezoning of DTN’s property to high density, does a change need to be made to the high density property designation east of the DTN property to compensate, or is it understood that master plan boundaries aren’t set in stone? Discussion was held. Commissioner Leaf presented Fire Chief Rick Royston with a plaque commending him for twenty-five years of dedicated service to the Delhi Township Planning Commission. Mr. Royston thanked the Planning Commission and stated that he wouldn’t have been able to perform as both Fire Chief and Community Development Director the past sixteen months without the extra efforts of the Community Development and Building Department staff.
Motion by Sweet, support Donaldson, to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 9:26 p.m. |