Kentwood Committees & Boards
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Minutes for 11/10/2009APPROVED MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
OF THE KENTWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION
NOVEMBER 10, 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 Sheldon.
C. Roll Call:
Members Present: Dan Holtrop, Laurie Sheldon, Don Yokom, Johngerlyn Young and Chris Winczewski.
Members Absent: Betsy Artz, Maurice Groce, Ed Swanson and Frank Vander Hoff (with notification)
Others Present: City Attorney Jeff Sluggett, Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer, Economic Development Planner Lisa Golder, Planner Joe Pung and Staff Secretary Monique Collier.
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Young, to excuse Commissioners Artz, Groce, Swanson and VanderHoff from the meeting.
- Motion Carried (5-0) ?
- Artz, Groce, Swanson, VanderHoff absent -
D. Approval of the Minutes and Findings of Fact
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Sheldon, to approve the Minutes of October 28, 2009.
- Motion Carried (5-0) ?
- Artz, Groce, Swanson, VanderHoff absent ?
E. Approval of the Agenda
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Sheldon, to approve the agenda for the November 10, 2009 meeting.
- Motion Carried (5-0) ?
- Artz, Groce, Swanson, VanderHoff absent ?
F. Acknowledge visitors wishing to speak to non-agenda items.
There was no public comment.
G. Old Business
Case #10-09 ? Consideration of a Street Tree Regulatory Ordinance.
Schweitzer stated he is still gathering information on the standards and policies that are employed by the City of Grand Rapids, Wyoming, Ottawa County, Kent County and MDOT. He stated some improvements have been done along Lake Michigan Dr. (M-45) on the northwest side where they have placed street trees in proximity to the pavement edge. He stated he would like to get their regulations as an additional for a basis of comparison. He stated the City will be hosting a meeting November 11, 2009 to talk about the Emerald Ash Borer.
H. Public Hearing
Case #12-09 - Kentwood Veterinary Clinic ? Rezoning located at 601 44th Street SE;
Case #13-09 ? Kentwood Veterinary Clinic ? Special Land Use and Site Plan Review located at 601 44th Street SE
Planner Pung introduced the request. He stated the applicant wishes to rezone .72 acres from C4 Office to C2 Community Commercials as well as special land use and site plan review for an animal hospital (veterinary clinic).
Pung stated this is a 1.57 square foot vacant building on the property. He stated the building was constructed in 1972 for a real estate office. He stated the building has been vacant and for sale for over a year. Pung stated the building has a non conforming front yard setback (25?6? when 30? required) due to ROW acquisition for the reconstruction of 44th Street in 2005.
Pung sated the rezoning is consistent with the master plan recommendation for commercial development. He stated the permitted uses in the C2 district are compatible with the surrounding uses. He stated the infrastructure and services are sufficient to accommodate the uses permitted in the C2 district.
Pung stated the proposed use and site plan are consistent with the existing and intended character of the area. Pung stated they will use the existing building with no significant changes. He sated it is not anticipated to be a detriment to adjacent properties. He stated the use is currently located in Kentwood and staff isn?t aware of any issues regarding the use. He stated they will need variances for front yard and side yard setbacks. He stated the zoning ordinance requires a 75 foot front yard setback and 50-foot setbacks from all other lot lines. Pung stated the front yard setback is 25 feet, the setback from west lot line is 17 feet and the setback from east lot line is 34 feet. He stated the zoning board will hear the requests on November 16. Pung stated the site plan has been modified to indicate the shared access easement off of 44th Street with the credit union property to the east.
Pung stated he is recommending to the city commission approval of the request to rezone.72 acres from C4 Office to C2 Community Commercial approval including basis points 1-8. He stated he is also recommending conditional approval of the special land use animal hospital with conditions 1-5 and basis points 1-10 and also recommending conditional approval of the site plan dated October 30, 2009 with conditions 1-7 and basis points 1-10.
Steve Witte from Nederveld, and Ron Zylstra, the owner of the property were present representing the request. Steve Witte stated the improvements that are proposed are landscaping, renovating the inside the building, construction of a barrier free access ramp on the east side of the building and renovation and use of the existing signs.
Chair Winczewski opened the public hearing.
There was no public comment.
Motion by Commissioner Sheldon, supported by Commissioner Holtrop, to close the public hearing.
- Motion Carried (5-0) ?
- Artz, Groce, Swanson, VanderHoff absent ?
Vice-Chair Sheldon asked what the plans were for the building the Veterinary clinic is currently in. Mr. Witte stated they are currently leasing that building and isn?t sure what the property owner is planning to do.
The Commissioners were satisfied with the plan and thought it would be a good use for the property.
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Sheldon, to recommend to the city commission approval of the request to rezone .72 acres from C4 Office to C2 Community Commercial as described in Case 12-09. Approval is based on basis points 1-8 in Pung?s memo dated 11/4/09.
- Motion Carried (5-0) ?
- Artz, Groce, Swanson, VanderHoff absent ?
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Sheldon, to grant conditional approval of the special land use animal hospital (veterinary clinic) as described in Case 13-09 Kentwood Veterinary Clinic. The approval is conditioned on conditions 1-5 and basis points 1-10 as described in Pung?s memo date 11/4/09.
- Motion Carried (5-0) ?
- Artz, Groce, Swanson, VanderHoff absent ?
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner to grant conditional approval of the site plan review for a special use animal hospital (veterinary clinic). Approval is conditioned on conditions 1-7 and basis points 1-10 as stated in Pung?s memo date 11/4/09.
- Motion Carried (5-0) ?
- Artz, Groce, Swanson, VanderHoff absent ?
Case 14-09- Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment for Corporate Flags and Utility Trailers
Director Schweitzer stated the recommended change would be to reinstate the allowance for the display of a commercial flag within the parameters of the provisions in place prior to 2002. Schweitzer stated regarding utility trailer parking the recommended change is to establish specific provisions in the Zoning Ordinance that acknowledges limitations on the outdoor storage of utility trailers and reference to a separate new regulatory ordinance that limits the number, size and location of utility trailers allowed in residential districts.
Chair Winczewski opened the public hearing.
There was no public comment.
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Young, to close the public hearing.
- Motion Carried (5-0) ?
- Artz, Groce, Swanson, VanderHoff absent ?
The Commissioners were fine with the changes and offered no comments.
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Sheldon, to recommend to the city commission approval of the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments regarding corporate flags and utility trailer parking and text amendments to the code of ordinance regarding utility trailers and stated in Schweitzer?s memo dated 11/13/09.
- Motion Carried (5-0) ?
- Artz, Groce, Swanson, VanderHoff absent ?
I. Work Session
There were no work sessions
J. New Business
There was no new business
K. Other Business
1. Master Plan
Planner Golder suggested putting the master plan together and come up with some principles the commissioners can react to by the next meeting. Golder spoke about Sections 13 and 34 and what kinds of things the commissioners would like to see,
mixed use -variety of house types -quality-architecture-street structure.
Holtrop stated he is in favor of whatever is good for the market.
Schweitzer suggested taking a look at what the commissioners would like to preserve in these tracts of land and use that as a guide for development. He stated previously it was suggested to have a downtown extended along Breton Avenue. The concept reviewed by a number of developers and they questioned the market for retail at that location. Schweitzer questioned whether the Commissioners were desiring predominantly residential in Section 34 or there some natural features or manmade features that you want to build off from. He stated this will guide what type of form they want to attain. He stated he thinks when you get to driveways and how to build them that may be too descriptive in terms of a master plan, he suggested taking a look at the general things and build off of that.
Sheldon stated regarding the green area she would like to get an idea from the building community to see what they foresee and what they are willing to do.
Winczewski stated we should decide how much residential we want in the Section 13 and 34 and if we go residential we should think about housing diversity. He stated we should mandate different sized homes. Golder stated she will take this to the subcommittee to discuss these options. She stated she will try to setup a forum to solicit input.
Winczewski asked about a moratorium. Schweitzer stated you have to have a specific goal in mind. You have to have a plan of how you achieve that goal and from past experiences if you have a moratorium that is approaching a year in length that is as far as you can stretch it. Winczewski questioned if a moratorium can?t be used for implementation of a master plan what they can be used for the time deciding where the master plan should be. He stated Land Use Modifications in these areas that need to be re planned or re purposed and thought given to how to accomplish.
Commissioners stated they would like to see more sidewalk on 28th. Discussion Ensued.
Golder stated we will be meeting with various industries and getting input.
Golder stated she would like the city to support commercial development and creating more opportunities for its success. She stated on the EDC side, she is trying to form some business associations so they can unite on issues, most recently the 52nd Street and Eastern. Golder stated the Mall would like to see burying the utility lines. Golder suggested reassessing where commercial development is needed and where it isn?t etc.
2. Commissioners? Comments
Holtrop stated there is a transit meeting in East Grand Rapids November 11. Schweitzer stated he will email everyone the schedule.
Sheldon asked about Family Fare. Golder stated the property owners had two potential grocery stores, the problem is Spartan started moving their things out and if they get someone in they will have to buy all new equipment. Golder stated they are trying to meet with Spartan.
Sheldon stated she is expecting her third child.
3. Staff?s Comments
There were no staff comments.
L. Adjournment
Motion by Commissioner Holtrop, supported by Commissioner Young, to adjourn the meeting.
- Motion Carried (5-0) ?
- Artz, Groce, Swanson, VanderHoff absent ?
Meeting adjourned at 9:22p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Don Yokom, Secretary
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