APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE KENTWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
MAY 24, 2011, 7:30 P.M.
COMMISSION CHAMBERS
A. Chair Holtrop called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
B. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Young.
C. Roll Call:
Members Present: Maurice Groce, John Helder, Dan Holtrop, Ed Kape, Laurie Sheldon, Ed Swanson, Frank Vander Hoff, Don Yokom and Johngerlyn Young
Members Absent: None
Others Present: Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer, Economic Development Planner Lisa Golder, Planner Joe Pung, Staff Secretary Monique Collier
D. Approval of the Minutes and Findings of Fact
Motion by Commissioner Helder, supported by Commissioner VanderHoff, to approve the Minutes of May 10, 2011.
- Motion Carried (9-0) –
E. Approval of the Agenda
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner Swanson, to approve the agenda for the May 24, 2011 meeting.
- Motion Carried (9-0) –
F. Acknowledge visitors wishing to speak to non-agenda items.
There was no public comment.
G. Old Business
There was no Old Business.
H. Public Hearing
There were no Public Hearings.
I. Work Session
There were no Work Sessions
J. New Business
There was no New Business
K. Other Business
1. Master Plan Discussion
70/30 Balanced Housing Policy
The Commissioners agreed that homeownership is important and would prefer not to see more rental/apartment complexes in Kentwood. After extensive discussion the commissioners agreed to keep Woodland Mall and Division Avenue (accompanied by the Fisher Station Plan) as designated Transit Oriented Development (TOD) areas that would allow for more rentals and to take Breton and 44th out. The Commissioners also decided to exclude Transit Oriented Development in the first action item.
Division Avenue Redevelopment and Bus Rapids Transit
The commissioners agreed with the key issues and action items as written and offered no comments.
Redevelopment of 28th and 29th Street Corridor
Yokom endorsed the creation of a Business Association for 28th Street.
Aging Housing
Kape stated under the first action item (the City should consider strengthening housing quality policies and city codes etc.) should be an action item in several other areas rather than in just aging housing.
Green Infrastructure – Open Space and Greenway Network
Sheldon suggested adding a note that the trees that are planted should not be Ash Boer trees.
Economic Development
The commissioners agreed with the key issues and action items and offered no comments.
Sustainability
The commissioners agreed with the key issues and action items and offered no comments.
Transit Oriented Development (TOD)
The commissioners agreed with the key issues and action items and offered no comments.
Complete Streets
Schweitzer stated this is a matter of assessing each of the streets to see if there is a greater purpose that could be accomplished within the existing right-of-way to accommodate pedestrian and/or other non-motorized uses (cyclists, roller blades etc.)
Golder stated at the next meeting we will see the principles that should be mostly review.
Schweitzer discussed the 2009 and 2010 Year End Reports.
Schweitzer gave an overview of what the Planning Department does on a day to day basis.
2. Commissioners’ Comments
Swanson asked about the Shell Station at 44th and Kalamazoo. He stated people place all their advertising signs on that property. Golder stated we are working with a prospect on that site and may have a potential user if the traffic count prove to meet the thresholds desired by the prospective business.
Holtrop suggested in the Master Plan we should encourage Neighborhood Associations.
3. Staff’s Comments
Staff offered no comments.
L. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner Sheldon, to adjourn the meeting.
- Motion Carried (9-0) –
Meeting adjourned at 9:00p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Don Yokom, Secretary
Kentwood Summer Concert Series | 5/23/2013
The 2013 Kentwood Summer Concert Series at the Kentwood Library Amphitheatre
sponsored by DTE Energy will feature five talented acts
Thanks Meadow Brook Elementary! | 5/22/2013
Thanks to Meadow Brook Elementary for their hospitality in hosting our City Commission Meeting this week. It was great to engage our northeast citizens as well as get to know Principal Shaw and and his staff. Such great things happening at Meadow Brook Elementary!
--- Mayor Clanton
May 21st City Commission Meeting | 5/17/2013
The Kentwood City Commission will hold its May 21st 7p meeting at Meadow Brook Elementary at 1450 Forest Hills SE. We are excited to “take our show on the road” and engage our northerly residents!
--- Mayor Clanton