APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE KENTWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
OCTOBER 25, 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 Helder.
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, Staff Secretary Monique Collier and the applicant.
D. Approval of the Minutes and Findings of Fact
The October 11, 2011 Minutes and Findings of Fact were approved as drafted.
E. Approval of the Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Helder, supported by Commissioner Young, to approve the agenda for the October 25, 2011 meeting adding under New Business Case#13-11- Metro Cab – Special Land Use and Site Plan Review for a Fuel Depot located at 4678 Danvers SE.
- 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
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner Young, to set a public hearing date of November 22, 2011 for: Case #11-11 – ICC Behar – Special Land Use and Site Plan Review for parking in the flood plain located at 3425 East Paris Ave.,Case #12-11- Camille Woods – Preliminary and Final Site Plan Review for a Site Condominium Development located North West of Lake Dr. and Camille;Case#13-11 –Metro Cab – Special Land Use and Site Plan Review for a Fuel Depot located 4678 Danvers Dr.
- Motion Carried (9-0) –
K. Other Business
1. Bretonfield Variance Request
Director Schweitzer introduced the request. He stated subsequent to the October 11 Planning Commission meeting city staff met and reviewed the request of the Planning Commission to consider alternatives to the temporary secondary access into the Bretonfield development proposed by Allen Edwin Homes. The alternatives included:
Ø Establishing a temporary access drive from the south end of Kiverton Ridge Drive out to 60th Street
Ø Establishing the temporary access drive from the south end of Kiverton Drive west over to Sable Ridge Drive; and
Ø Allow for home construction on the south end of Kiverton Ridge without a temporary access drive
The collective position of the Fire, Police, Engineering and Planning Departments was to support any of the following three options
Ø Conditional approval of the initial request
Ø Conditionally support the establishment of the temporary access drive off the south end of Kiverton Ridge Drive
Ø Conditionally support an alternative to extend Secret Drive west over to Promise Drive.
Schweitzer stated the option to connect from the south end of Kiverton Ridge Drive over to Sable Ridge was not considered desirable in the event the intersection of 60th Street and Sable Ridge was inaccessible. The allowance to build out Kiverton Ridge Drive lots without any alternate access was not considered to be desirable because it did not address the variance standard to provide comparable or higher performance in terms of emergency access.
Allen Edwin Homes devised the revised Temporary Secondary Access Drive proposal dated October 19, 2011 after reviewing the feedback from the Planning Commission and City staff.
Commissioner Yokom asked home many existing homes are on the west side of the Sable Ridge Drive. Mr. Wood stated there are 3 homes possibly 4. Yokom asked whether he planned to contact the homeowners to let them know it is going to be a temporary access connection.
Holtrop clarified this is an emergency access only, not construction. Brian Wood stated it is their anticipation to complete the 1st phase within the next 1 ½ years and then phase 2 will be constructed which will eliminate the need for the temporary drive because they will have their secondary access at 60th Street.
Holtrop stated at the last meeting there was discussion of a performance bond and it was not looked upon highly. Holtrop stated if the road is not maintained then they will be billed by the City. Schweitzer stated one of the recommendations is documentation in a form acceptable to the City to assure the terms are met. Schweitzer stated we will take the form of a letter of credit or performance bond in the amount of what it would cost to clear the snow for one season and that would be renewable until the second means of access is obtained as a public street and lot 75 can be developed and then we won’t need the bond anymore.
Hotrop asked the applicant if this is the better option for them. Wood stated it does work out better for them because the revised proposal is less than half the distance of the original proposal they presented.
Motion by Commissioner Groce, supported by Commissioner VanderHoff, to recommend to the City Commission conditional approval of the revised Temporary Secondary Access Driveway Plan for the Bretonfield development dated October 19, 2011 to allow the issuance of building permits on lots 69-83. The recommendation is based on conditions 1-7 and Background as stated in Schweitzer’s memo dated October 21, 2011.
- Motion Carried (9-0) –
2. Commissioners’ Comments
VanderHoff stated he will not be at the November 8 meeting.
Helder gave a brief review of the State conference held in Grand Rapids on October 20-22.
3. Staff’s Comments
Schweitzer stated City Commission met last week regarding Breton Avenue/Walma Corridor and after considerable discussion they decided to go from 4 lanes to 3 lanes on the reconstruction of Breton and also they decided to go with a roundabout. Schweitzer stated construction is expected to take place in the spring
Schweitzer stated staff also attended the State conference held in Grand Rapids and they gave some good inspiration and insight regarding solar development, social media and trails. Helder added the trails in Wisconsin in the winter allow snowmobiles, but they also stated snowmobiles are not considered a motorized vehicle in Wisconsin. Helder stated there was extensive discussion regarding trails.
L. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 8:10p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Don Yokom, Secretary
U.S. SBA April Flooding Loans Available | 6/14/2013
Kent County Emergency Management learned this afternoon that residents and businesses affected by severe storms and flooding April 7-20, 2013 can apply for low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration. Applicants are encouraged to apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via SBA’s secure website at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela. The center will be open Tuesday, June 18 through Thursday, June 27 for one-on-one service if needed.
Fireworks Moved to Patterson Field This Year | 6/10/2013
I want to give you folks plenty of notice that our fireworks presentation will be moving to Patterson Field behind Crestwood Middle School on 44th Street this upcoming July 4th. We had previously displayed fireworks there in the past up until their remodeling project which led the move to City Hall. All festivities you are accustomed to here at City Hall will now be at Crestwood Middle School. We thank Kentwood Public Schools for their partnership!
--- Mayor Clanton
Congrats Grads | 5/31/2013
I would just like to commend all of the hard working young people and the teachers that helped them along their as they graduate this spring! We are hoping to hear about the wonderful challenges and opportunities that await you. West Michigan is rooting for you all to do great things and we hope those things can happen here. Please be safe as you celebrate this exciting time while you transition to the next chapter of your young lives!
--- Mayor Clanton