Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF GRANDVILLE
PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
August 6, 2003

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Poll, in the Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m.

PRESENT: Jodie Sherman, William Timmer, Craig Nicely, Bob Poll, Dave Zondervan, Virgil Leatherman and Steve Maas.

ABSENT: None

ALSO PRESENT: Dan Johnson, Assistant City Manager
Debby Descheneau, Personnel Assistant

Motion by Maas, seconded by Nicely to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Nicely, seconded by Sherman, to approve the minutes of the July 2, 2003 meeting as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS

Rezoning – 3040 Prairie Street SW – Rezoning from R-3 to OS-1

Chairman Poll made note that the public hearing was conducted at the last meeting and was closed, however he would allow for comments from individuals with a limit of three minutes per individual with the topic being focused on the rezoning and not unknown future site plan issues.

Dan reviewed the rezoning notes for 3040 Prairie Street SW, whose existing use is a medical office; the proposed use is also a medical office. Language for the R-3, One-Family Residential and OS-1, Office Service was outlined for the Commissioners. Dan informed the Commissioners that if any action were to take place it would be a recommendation onto the City Council, as the public hearing was held during the July meeting.

Chairman Poll asked if there was anyone in the audience who would like to speak.

Fred Sobczak of 3060 Prairie came before the Planning Commission to express his disinterest in seeing 3040 Prairie being rezoned to OS-1. Mr. Sobczak stated he was concerned about increased traffic in the area and fears multiple buildings will be developed on the site. Mr. Sobczak also stated that he was interested in being in a buffer zone. Mr. Sobczak also made reference to the JL French property and the problems that came about with that industrial property being butted up to a residential district. Mr. Sobczak reminded the Commissioners that Grandville was founded by its residents not commercial enterprises.

Bill Bowie, attorney for Dr. Northway, came before the Planning Commission to state that the rezoning request is consistent with the Master Plan. Mr. Bowie noted that if the property were to remain residential there is the potential of development being closer to property lines with no buffer zone required. Mr. Bowie also noted that the proposed medical office operated during the week and would hold typical business hours. Mr. Bowie requested that the Commissioners recommend the rezoning to the Council.

Chairman Poll asked if there were any comments from the Commissioners.

Dave Zondervan stated the rezoning did follow the Master Plan and that he could not see the property being residential.

Virgil Leatherman agreed with Zondervan and added that it did not make sense to build more residential homes in that spot.

Craig Nicely stated that the land use is Master Planned as Office Service and he feels this use is appropriate. Nicely also noted that he believes the Planning Commission will properly address buffer zones and other issues come site plan time.

Chairman Poll stated that he sympathies with the Sobczak’s, however he walked the lot earlier in the day and agrees that the Master Plan is appropriate. Chairman Poll noted that he too feels the Planning Commission will properly address buffers and other issues if and when the site plan review process comes.

Motion by Zondervan, supported by Timmer to recommend to the City Council the area North of Buck Creek be rezoned from R-3, One-Family Residential to OS-1, Office/Service, consistent with the Master Plan. The motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS

Site Plan Review – 3865 28th Street – Gas Station

Dan Johnson reviewed the site plan comments for the proposal of a redevelopment of an existing gas station. The site will continue its current use as a gas station with car wash and will add a larger convenience store and a Subway sandwich shop. The main topic to consider is the applicant’s request for deferred parking.

Mike Houseman with Houseman Construction came before the Planning Commission to present new plans that would defer seven parking spots. Mr. Houseman noted that the spots could be reserved with landscaping, which would make the deferred spots easily interchangeable should they be needed for parking in the future.

Jodie Sherman asked if the pumps would be in the same location with the new plans.

Mr. Houseman stated the pumps, along with the car wash, will be slightly farther back than their current location.

Chairman Poll asked if the deferred parking was allowed would additional landscaping be placed there or would the proposed landscaping be spread out.

Mr. Houseman stated the plan was to spread out the proposed landscaping giving the lot more green space.

Chairman Poll stated that the deferred parking should be additional landscaping. If the landscaping is spread out and later needs to be transferred to parking spaces then the landscaping would not meet the standard set for the site.

Chairman Poll also asked about the lighting being proposed for the site. His concern is that when one exits the freeway they could be overwhelmed if the lighting is too bright.

Mr. Houseman stated they did want it bright for safety purposes, and that 32 fixtures will be placed under the canopy and four 20-foot high poles with the shoebox type of fixture.

Virgil Leatherman asked if the center island would be partially in the de-acceleration lane.

Mr. Houseman confirmed that the center lane would not be changing location, simply being rebuilt.

Craig Nicely asked about plans for irrigation.

Mr. Houseman stated that the applicant is planning on irrigation.

Motion by Nicely, supported by Maas to approve the site plan with the following conditions: 1) separate sign permit required for site signage 2) final utility connections are subject to Department of Public Works and City Engineer approval 3) sidewalk shall be installed by property owner along 28th Street when determined necessary by the City of Grandville 4) underground irrigation to be placed at all landscaped areas 5) lighting approved by city staff 6) allow deferred parking with the proposed landscaping being spread out amongst seven parking spots. The motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT

1. Chairman Poll asked if there were any public comments to be made. There were none.

OTHER BUSINESS

Chairman Poll asked if there was any other business to discuss. There was none.

Motion by Zondervan, supported by Maas to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

Debby Descheneau
Recording Secretary

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