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Minutes for 03/11/2008APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE KENTWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
MARCH 11, 2008, 7:30 P.M.
COMMISSION CHAMBERS
A. Chair McIntyre-Evenocheck called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
B. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner Artz.
C. Roll Call:
Members Present: Betsy Artz, Dan Holtrop, Abed Itani, Nancie McIntyre-Evenocheck, Frank Vander Hoff, Don Yokom
Members Absent: Laurie Sheldon, Johngerlyn Young and Chris Winczewski (absent with notification)
Others Present: City Attorney Jeff Sluggett, Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer, Economic Development Planner Lisa Golder, Planner Joe Pung, Planner Debargha Sengupta, Staff Secretary Monique Collier, the press and the applicant.
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Artz, to excuse Commissioners Sheldon, Young and Winczewski from the meeting.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon, Young and Winczewski absent -
D. Approval of the Minutes and Findings of Fact
Motion by Commissioner Artz, supported by Commissioner VanderHoff, to approve the Minutes of February 12, 2008and the Findings of Fact for:
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon, Young and Winczewski absent -
E. Approval of the Agenda
Community Development Director Schweitzer stated under New Business the public hearing date of March 25, 2008 should be for Case#4-08 Wedgwood Christian Services- Major Change to an Approved PUD site plan and final site plan approval of a PUD phase
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner Itani, to approve the agenda for the March 11, 2008 meeting.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon, Young and Winczewski absent -
F. Acknowledge visitors wishing to speak to non-agenda items.
There was no public comment.
G. Old Business
Case #17-07 ? Menard?s-Special Land Use Open Air Business Garden Center/Outside Yard Area and Site Plan Review located north of 28th Street, midway between East Paris Avenue and Patterson Avenue
A letter was submitted by the applicant to table the request to March 25, 2008. Golder indicated progress was being made on the 28th Street drive access.
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner Itani, to table Case #17-07 Menards to March 25, 2008.
- Motion Carried (6-0) -
- Sheldon, Young and Winczewski absent -
H. Public Hearing
There were no public hearings
I. Work Session
Case #4-08 - Wedgwood Christian Services- major Change to an Approved PUD site plan and final site plan approval of a PUD Phase
Planner Sengupta introduced the request.
He stated the request is for a Major change to an approved R-PUD1, Preliminary Site Plan review for the entire PUD and final site plan review for a PUD Phase located on the
southeast corner of 36th Street and Shaffer Avenue. He stated the campus contains several existing buildings. The property was rezoned to RPUD in 2005. He stated at that time, they were requesting a major change to allow for modification and addition to the approved PUD Plan. Current use is a Child Caring Institution, a Special Land Use.
Main Issues:
? Parking: The parking calculations would have to be revised. Adult Care Facilities vs. Child Caring Institutions. Revised requirement: 285. Provided 294 plus 52 deferred. Residents are not anticipated to drive. Suggest Reevaluation of the parking needs and possible deferral of more parking spaces.
? Density and open space calculations need revision
? Storage building encroaches required setback from residential districts (an SLU requirement) ? modification or variance required
? Accessibility for people with disability, particularly for the west Education/ Residential building
? Architectural theme/building materials (overall site)
? Re-evaluate parking needs to see if more parking can be deferred
? Phase plans: scope and timing of future phases
? Landscaping and outdoor lighting
Planner Sengupta stated the Lighthouse Academy proposed as part of the first phase of the site plan is a school and is mostly exempt from municipal reviews except for issues like traffic and access. He stated there are no concerns, as far as staff is concerned.
He stated it is in compliance with the Master plan recommended use as well as with other applicable Zoning Ordinance requirements.
Paul Nydam, Wedgwood Facilities Director, Herm Dykema, Jim Morgan RJM Site Designer, Doug Stalsonburg, Exxel Engineering and Kevin Vandenbosch, Wedgwood Program Director, were present.
Paul Nydam, Facilities Director, stated they would like to build a two-story education facility. He stated the Lighthouse School will house an existing program that is currently in a school building in Grand Rapids. He stated they need a larger facility to house the students. He stated they hope to build a two story residential building. Mr. Nydam stated the building will be used to house a four unit building that they currently have in Cutlerville. He stated they will also like to build a storage building to accommodate the needs of their programs. He stated there will be infrastructure improvements, there will be a new driveway coming in off of 36th Street and adjoining parking to serve the need of the new buildings proposed.
Paul Nydam Facilities Director, stated they do not yet have a date for the phase two plan. However, he stated they expect it to begin in the summer. He stated in phase two they would like to include construction of a wellness center and adjacent to the existing activities building; a plaza area adjacent to the existing residences; a jogging and walking path along the entire perimeter of the campus with a great deal of landscaping and the trees. He stated they also hope to construct an outdoor ropes course and an activities area. He stated they will also have significant landscaping to their main campus area off of 36th Street.
Commissioner Yokom asked how many students they anticipate to come from the old site to the new site. Kevin VandenBosch stated about 100 students and they will not be living at the facility. Mr. VandenBosch stated the students are expelled students from the Kent County area.
Commissioner VanderHoff stated if looks like it will be a nice facility and he is in favor of the project.
Commissioner Artz asked how the students will be transported. Kevin VandenBosch stated the children are dropped off by their parent or guardian to the school. He stated the school is equipped to the west for them to do busing if they need it, but it?s not in the plans.
Commissioner Itani was concerned about the safety and security issues. Kevin VandenBosch stated they have a thorough assessment with each child. Mr. VandenBosch stated they meet with the family and do a background on their risk factors, gang behavior and why they were expelled from school. He stated they have safe guards in place. He stated they have the doors locked in case someone from off campus comes to their campus which is their primary concern. He stated they have had no incidents within the school. He stated they have a long history of working with risky children and are very successful.
Commissioner Itani asked how many trips per day the facility will generate. Kevin VandenBosch stated the students are dropped off in the morning and picked up in the afternoon. They are at school for the entirety of the day. Itani stated he thinks the proposed driveway doesn?t align with the driveway on 36th Street. Itani stated if it had a left turn lane then it would be okay. Paul Nydam, Facilities Manager, stated it is there intent for people dropping students off in the morning to enter from the west, go by the front of the school drop the kids off and continue as a loop to the east so the traffic flow will operate smoothly rather than conflicting in and out traffic out of the same entrance.
Kevin VandenBosch discussed the success rate of the children that come to Wedgwood.
Chair McIntyre-Evenocheck stated her only concerns are in the Fire Marshall?s memo. She also stated the fire pit has to be removed. She stated she thinks Wedgwood does a great job with kids who need help and thinks this project looks good.
J. New Business
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Itani, to set the public hearing of March 25, 2008 for Case #4-08 - Wedgwood Christian Services- major Change to an Approved PUD site plan and final site plan approval of a PUD Phase
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon, Young and Winczewski absent -
K. Other Business
1. Commissioners? Comments
Commissioner VanderHoff stated he will be out of town for the March 25, 2008 meeting.
Chair McIntyre-Evenocheck congratulated Commissioner Sheldon on her new baby boy. She also stated there were two committee meetings LUZ and COD before the planning commission meeting. She stated LUZ will have to see conditional zoning. Commissioner Holtrop stated they reviewed the COD, made some adjustments and Planner Sengupta will go back to work on it.
Chair McIntyre-Evenocheck also welcomed Commissioner Itani back.
2. Staff?s Comments
No staff comments.
L. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner Holtrop, to adjourn the meeting.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Sheldon, Young and Winczewski absent -
Meeting adjourned at 7:58p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
McIntyre-Evenocheck, Chair
On behalf of Laurie Sheldon, Secretary
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