Kentwood Committees & Boards
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Minutes for 07/14/2009APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE KENTWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
JULY 14, 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 Artz.
C. Roll Call:
Members Present: Betsy Artz, Dan Holtrop, Laurie Sheldon, Ed Swanson, Frank Vander Hoff, and Chris Winczewski.
Members Absent: Maurice Groce, Don Yokom (with notification) and Johngerlyn Young
Others Present: City Attorney Jeff Sluggett, Economic Development Planner Lisa Golder, Planner Joe Pung, Staff Secretary Monique Collier, the press and the applicant.
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Artz, to excuse Commissioners Groce, Yokom and Young from the meeting.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Groce, Yokom and Young absent -
D. Approval of the Minutes of June 23, 2009.
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Artz, to approve the Minutes of June 23, 2009.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Groce, Yokom and Young absent -
E. Approval of the Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Swanson, supported by Commissioner VanderHoff, to approve the agenda for the July 14, 2009 meeting.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Groce, Yokom and Young 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
Case # 6-09 ? CBS Digital Billboard ? Special Land Use and Site Plan Review for a Dynamic Display Billboard located approximately 4250 Saladin Dr. West side of I96 North of the Forest Hill Avenue Overpass.
Planner Pung introduced the request. He stated the request is for a 672 square foot dynamic display billboard. The location will be along I96 east of the Saladin Temple which is located at 4200 Saladin Dr. He stated in June 2009 the city commission approved amendments to the zoning ordinance which allows for location of dynamic display billboards in the C4 zone, as long as it is within 100 feet of I96. Pung stated that the request meets most of the criteria for the special land use standards and requirements that will apply to the billboards.
Pung stated some of the issues are:
- Approval of a land division to create the parcel on which the proposed billboard would be located. He stated a land division report has been submitted and currently under review by staff.
-Provide detail on the orientation of the billboard display area.
- Submittal of a tree removal plan. He stated they indicated that tree removal would be minimal but it will depend on how access is acquired.
Mike Hucul was present to represent the request. He stated he visited the houses that are across the street from where the billboard will be displayed and spoke to the operations manager and showed him the orientation of the sign. He stated the billboard will not interfere or point in the direction of the homes across the freeway. Mike Hucul stated they will avoid cutting all the older trees.
Swanson asked how bright the billboard will be. Mr. Hucul stated their lighting will meet the ordinance.
Chair Winczewski?s concern was how we plan to enforce the ambient conditions versus the brightness. Pung stated the detail of the enforcement process has not been finalized. We anticipate the purchase or shared use of a light meter.
J. New Business
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Artz, to set the public hearing date of August 11, 2009 for Case#7-09 ? Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments -Open Air Buffering Regulations
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Groce, Yokom and Young ?
K. Other Business
1. Master Plan
Pung began the discussion on Section 22, 23 and 24. Commissioners had no comment.
Golder discussed Section 34 and 13 She stated at the time they discussed the Sections there was no ordinance that defines conservation oriented development; the intent was to be able to preserve areas of green space within the last few remaining open areas in the city while promoting a financially viable concept plan for its eventual development. She stated a concept plan was later developed for Section 34 that included areas of farm preservation/hobby farms, fringe urban, larger lot single family homes and various other housing types. She stated in addition the recommendation included commercial uses similar to those found in downtown areas, strip commercial uses along 52nd Street and a central gathering place.
Commissioner Swanson asked if there is any expectation what this can be other than housing.
Commissioner VanderHoff stated he doesn?t see where the concept is viable trying to build a downtown area for the City of Kentwood. Vanderhoff stated he thinks the best use for the whole section eventually is residential with a park in the middle or something like that.
Commissioner Sheldon stated she thinks it will be best as housing. She stated she would like to see the city?s property to be some kind of open space park for the community. She stated she would like to see a little farmers market or some kind of a community area adjacent to it or within the area so it will be viable for the citizens to use.
Winczewski stated he agrees the land use concepts for Breton extended immediately south of 52nd Street aren?t going to happen in the next 5-10 years. He stated his thinking is the master plan is a 25 year document and one of the things that was identified that Kentwood is lacking is a central public gathering place, some kind of a downtown feel. He stated he still feels we should have K more of a public gathering place whether it?s just open farmers markets, or weekend type things where people can gather along Breton extended south of 52nd Street. He stated we should still aim to have some type of draw to bring people to that area. Winczewski?s concern was with the open space should it be more residential or should we try to take 80 areas or so and make some type of public center.
VanderHoff stated this has been talked about for years and it hasn?t happened and maybe a downtown area is just not viable.
Winczewski suggested on facebook to have a question for residents to answer as to what they feel Kentwood is missing and what would draw you to an area.
Swanson suggested staff, city commission, developers and planning commission each write down 20 uses for the section and what they would like to see.
Discussion Ensued.
2. Commissioners? Comments
Winczewski stated he talked to the Mayor about ZBA and he would like to have a planning commissioner as an alternate member of the ZBA. His intent is to have this person be there all the time. Winczewski stated the person would have to be appointed by the City Commission. VanderHoff and Sheldon stated they would be interested in serving on the board. Winczewski asked Golder to let the Mayor know two people are interested in serving. Golder stated an email will be sent around to the planning commissioner?s to see if anyone else is interested. Winczewski suggested to put a deadline on it.
Sheldon stated she will not be at the July 28, 2009 meeting.
Swanson stated he doesn?t like indirect turns, they are just terrible. VanderHoff agreed and stated he thinks that it turns people away from the business.
3. Staff?s Comments
Golder stated if the commissioners have questions about the work plan to let her know.
L. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner VanderHoff, supported by Commissioner Swanson, to adjourn the meeting.
- Motion Carried (6-0) ?
- Groce, Yokom and Young absent -
Meeting adjourned at 8:45p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Don Yokom, Secretary
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