Kentwood Committees & Boards
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Minutes for 06/09/2009APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE KENTWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
June 9, 2009, 7:30 P.M.
COMMISSION CHAMBERS
A. Chair Winczewski called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.
B. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner VanderHoff.
C. Roll Call:
Members Present: Betsy Artz, Maurice Groce, Dan Holtrop, Frank Vander Hoff, Ed Swanson, Laurie Sheldon, Johngerlyn Young and Chris Winczewski.
Members Absent: Don Yokom (with notification)
Others Present: Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer, Economic Development Planner Lisa Golder, Planner Joe Pung and Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Kendall Klingelsmith.
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner Swanson, to excuse Commissioner Yokum from the meeting.
- Motion Carried (8-0) ?
- Yokum absent-
D. Approval of the Minutes and Findings of Fact
Motion by Commissioner Swanson, supported by Commissioner Holtrop , to approve the Minutes of May 26, 2009.
- Motion Carried (8-0) ?
- Yokum absent -
E. Approval of the Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Swanson, to approve the agenda for the June 9, 2009 meeting.
- Motion Carried (8-0) ?
- Yokum absent -
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
Golder began the discussion by reviewing the revised work plan for the Master Plan update process. She noted the additions that had been made as a result of the input received at the last meeting. Groce suggested that the stakeholder interview include Robert Grooters Development. Golder noted that the work plan can be supplemented to incorporate other tasks. She stressed the importance of having a work plan to guide the progress of the update.
Planning Intern Stefanie Nawrocki presented a facebook tutorial to the commission in an effort to enable the commissioners to access and participate in the facebook page developed for the master plan update. Discussion ensued concerning the merits of using this form of internet social interaction to solicit comments and participation in the master plan process. It is intended to supplement the traditional methods of soliciting comments such as open houses, workshops, surveys and public hearings. It was also noted that facebook is currently utilized by the 18-35 age group and that those 55 and older are the most significant segment of the population that are beginning to use it. Discussion also touched upon the desire to draw feedback and participation from individuals that live, work or travel through the community.
Planner Pung presented a powerpoint reviewing the land use changes that have occurred since 2005 in sections 25 and 31-36. Several residential projects have not progressed due to the slow housing industry and subsequently two have undergone foreclosure. In contrast the Clear Point and Bretonfield projects have seen the most progress. Pung will review additional sections over the next several meetings.
Schweitzer displayed a chart and map that reflected the traffic counts and roadway capacities of selected street segments throughout the community. He pointed out that this represents one of several different factors used to evaluate the movement of traffic within and through the area. The Grand Valley Metro Council serves as the transportation planning organization for this region and the long range plans for roads, transit and non-motorized trails will be helpful in the review of these facilities within Kentwood. He also stated that there will be a multi departmental working group involving Engineering, Parks and Recreation, Police and Planning that will be getting together to formulate a non-motorized trail plan in Kentwood. Funding issues for construction and ongoing maintenance will be part of the effort.
Golder reviewed with the commission the demographic information that has been thus far assembled. Trend analysis and comparisons with the county and the State of Michigan will be used to gain perspective on the community. It was noted that the employment information covered the jobs held by Kentwood residents as well as information on the jobs located within the City. Golder reviewed tabulations of industrial properties available for sale or lease within the City. She is seeking to identify the total square footage of industrial and commercial space within the City to gain a sense on the proportion that is currently in use. The breakdown of housing units was also detailed in terms of type and vacancy. Staff will continue to review the various data sets in order to provide useful comparisons to the data analyzed in past plan updates.
Klingelsmith described some of the efforts planned to survey park users and conduct Parks and Recreation Meetings in the various parks in order to obtain feedback on programs and facilities. It was suggested that National Night Out and the Fourth of July pancake breakfast may be other events to seek out feedback.
2. Commissioners Comments
Young, Artz and Sheldon will not attend the June 23, 2009 meeting.
3. Staff?s Comments
Schweitzer stated that the City is considering some adjustments to the meeting dates and times for various City boards. The commission indicated that they would not oppose switching the start time of their meeting to 7:00pm.
Schweitzer indicated that there is a group of local GM dealers that are seeking a venue to hold a collective vehicle sale. Due to changes in the Short Term Open Air Sales ordinance their consideration of Woodland Mall as a venue would require that they file a Special Land Use application with the Planning Commission. The commission thought the project would have some merit.
Schweitzer indicated that a local veterinary clinic has expressed interest in the office building at 601-44th Street. Since it would require a rezoning to C-2 Community Commercial and a special land us application they asked for an audience with the Land Use and Zoning committee to seek out feedback. The commission suggested that the committee schedule a meeting to be held immediately after the regular meeting of the Planning Commission on June 23.
L. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner Groce, to adjourn the meeting.
- Motion Carried (8-0) ?
- Yokum absent -
Meeting adjourned at 9:05p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Don Yokom, Secretary
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