Planning Commission Minutes

The meeting was called to order by Acting Chairman Poll, in the Council Chambers at 7:01 p.m.

PRESENT: Steve Maas, Virgil Leatherman, Bob Poll, and Jack Bengtson

ABSENT: Craig Nicely, Dave Zondervan, and Randy Hartgerink

ALSO PRESENT: Ken Krombeen, City Manager

Dan Johnson, Assistant City Manager

Debby Descheneau, Personnel Assistant

Motion by Leatherman, seconded by Bengtson to excuse Craig Nicely, Dave Zondervan and Randy Hartgerink from the March 1, 2006 Planning Commission meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

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

Motion by Bengtson, seconded by Maas, to approve the minutes of the February 1, 2006 meeting as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING:

1. Recreational Equipment Ordinance

Dan Johnson reviewed the final draft of the Recreational Equipment Ordinance.

Acting Chairman Poll opened the public hearing for the recreational equipment ordinance at 7:12 p.m.

Dave Looney, 4428 Bremer SW, questioned the definition of the front wall of the house. He wondered if he would be in violation if part of his motor home extended past the front wall of his house.

Acting Chairman Poll noted enforcement issues would be handled through the Police Department and the purpose of the public hearing is to gather general comments on the draft language.

Barb Brown, 4262 40^th Street, asked if a haulmark flat truck is considered recreational equipment. She questioned the definition of paved driveway as some driveways are crushed stone. She asked for better clarification on the solid fence/shrub screening language, noting someone could plant a 2 foot shrub that will take years to grow. Barb asked if 2 seadoos on a trailer were considered 3 recreational pieces of equipment. She mentioned new campers are 10’ 3” in height. She asked the city to clarify what the rear of the front line or side line refers to.

Dennis Chrisler, 3122 Gable Street, SW, feels the City will have a problem with the shrub language and thinks a minimum height should be noted.

Bob Herman, 3134 Gable Street, SW, feels recreational equipment height should be higher. He also mentioned his garage sits beyond the back of his house, what are the requirements for the space between the front the house to the front of the garage.

Motion by Leatherman, supported by Maas to close the public hearing. The motion passed unanimously. The public hearing closed at 7:22 p.m.

Steve Maas suggested the height restriction be increased to 10’ 5”.

Virgil Leatherman suggested the parking of recreational equipment language read 72 hours before and after a trip.

Acting Chairman Poll suggested the maximum equipment height be the same as the Michigan Vehicle Code maximum.

Motion by Leatherman, supported by Bengtson for staff and City Attorney, Randy Kraker, to finalize the ordinance and send to the City Council for approval. The motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Master Site Plan Review – 4375 Canal Avenue – Amson Dembs

Dan Johnson reviewed the Master Site Plan and referenced memos from Pete LaMourie of Progressive AE; Bob Bruggink of Moore & Bruggink, Inc.; and Ron Carr, Director for Grandville’s Department of Public Works. Some items noted were; lot lines were not shown, deferred parking may want to be discussed, no landscaping shown on the north side of the site, and no lighting information provided.

Jeffery Pitt – Amson Dembs Development, 26105 Lannys Road, Suite A, Novi, Michigan 48375 – came before the Planning Commission to state Amson Dembs has been incorporating Engineer and staff comments into the plan. They are still considering the drive-thru on Building C. They have been working with the Drain Commission regarding drainage to the pond. He also noted Amson Dembs is willing to participate in a beautification plan for the property and the lights can be put on a timer for evening hours.

Virgil Leatherman asked what type of casual restaurant with a drive thru and retail shop would be in building C. He also asked what kind of traffic flow they were proposing at building C.

Before addressing the question Dan informed the applicant that they still need a variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals for the casual restaurant with a drive thru.

Jeff Pitt believes it can all be addressed.

Virgil Leatherman would like to see the lighting specifications. He remains firm that a decel lane should be added to the southern drive.

Acting Chairman Poll asked if a decel lane would hinder the plan? Mike Baker of Exxel Engineering believes there is room on the site for a decel lane.

Steve Maas asked about the degree of discretion the Planning Commission has on the building materials. Dan replied the Master Site Plan review gives Planning Commission more discretion.

Steve asked why the applicant is going Master Site Plan. Dan responded the first step for all C-5 districts is Master Site Plan review.

Steve Maas asked if the lift station would require a development agreement with the City. Dan will check with Randy Kraker.

Steve Maas suggested funds from the applicant be set aside for installation of a traffic light at 44^th and Canal if deemed necessary by staff in the future.

Virgil Leatherman feels a light is needed at 44^th and Canal.

Acting Chairman Poll asked what days and times the traffic studies were conducted. It was noted the studies are done on Tuesday’s, Thursday’s and Saturday’s during peak hours.

Steve Maas feels the letter from Kim Hain, member, Canal Pointe Ventures LLC should be taken into consideration.

Jeff Pitt noted he believes the administrative ruling regarding section 11-3(j)(i) of the Grandville Ordinance is incorrect and he does not need to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance.

Virgil Leatherman feels there are too many questions left unanswered and the applicant should come back when they can provide the answers.

Acting Chairman Poll agrees with Virgil. He feels this item should be tabled in order for all Planning Commissioner’s to have a voice on the issue. Unfortunately three Commissioners were absent.

Steve Maas feels the applicant should get the drive-thru portion of the plan worked out before the Planning Commission goes any further.

Acting Chairman Poll went through a list of items the applicant should take care of before the next Planning Commission meeting. It includes: 1) lighting specifications 2) Zoning Board of Appeals variance for the drive-thru 3) traffic concerns for both Canal & 44^th Street intersection as well as a decel lane for southbound traffic 4) development agreement.

Steve Maas feels it would be considerate for the applicant to have conversations with the property owners to the north regarding the proposed plans.

Motion by Maas, seconded by Leatherman to accept into record the letter from Kim Hain, member, Canal Pointe Ventures LLC. The motion passed unanimously.

Jeff Pitt does not want to table this item. He feels everything that needs to be addressed can be put as conditions and addressed in the next month.

Acting Chairman Poll reiterated that with three Commissioners absent and the drive-thru not worked out it would be best to table.

Motion by Leatherman, seconded by Bengtson to table the Master Site Plan Review for 4375 Canal Avenue. The motion passed unanimously.

2. Industrial Use Request – 3531 Busch Drive

Dan Johnson reviewed a request from Consumer Concrete Corporation to have a temporary portable ready mix plant on Busch Drive.

Greg Thomas, Vice President, Consumers Concrete Corporation, PO Box 2229, Kalamazoo MI, came before the Planning Commission to inform them this operation would increase their capabilities in the Grand Rapids area and adequately supply the 2006 construction season. He noted the main objective of this temporary location is to supply the Wyoming Wastewater project on Ivanrest Street at the east end of Busch Drive.

Jack Bengtson asked if the entire operation would be behind the gate. The applicant responded yes.

Virgil Leatherman asked if they would be supplying to any other locations. The applicant responded they would only be operating within a ten mile radius.

Jack Bengtson asked what the applicant considered temporary. The applicant responded until the 1^st of November at the latest.

Acting Chairman Poll asked if there was a Wyoming location they could consider. The applicant answered any usable locations are too congested.

Steve Maas feels this is a good fit for the property if it is indeed a temporary use.

Acting Chairman Poll feels this item should be tabled until all Commissioners are present to comment on.

Virgil Leatherman is comfortable with the use if the applicant can guarantee the operation will not expand beyond the Wyoming Wastewater job and a date can be put on the end of the temporary use.

Motion by Maas, seconded by Leatherman to approve the temporary industrial use request for 3531 Busch Drive with the following conditions 1) use is for the Wyoming Wastewater Plan operation only 2) temporary plant should be disassembled, cleaned up, and removed from the site no later than December 1, 2006. The motion passed 3:1 Acting Chairman Poll opposed.

3. Site Plan Approval Extension – 2995 44^th Street – Bil Mac

Dan Johnson reviewed the Planning Commission approved site plans for this site in March of 2005. Bil Mac has not started the project and is now looking for a 90-day extension. However, the Planning Commission can only grant up to a 60-day extension. It is staff’s understanding the project will be underway in the spring of 2006.

Robert Eggerding, RCE Building 4760 Sheri Lynn, Wyoming MI, came before the Planning Commission to inform them steel prices prohibited movement on this project. Steel prices are now down and the project is ready to go.

Motion by Leatherman, supported by Maas to approve the 60-day Site Plan Approval extension for Bil-Mac Corporation, 2955 44^th Street. The motion passed unanimously.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Master Plan – Discussion of Proposals

Dan Johnson reviewed that three proposals came in for the Master Plan. It is up to the Planning Commission to determine if and when they would like to interview any of the firms who submitted proposals.

It was agreed all three firms would be interviewed. Staff was directed to schedule the interviews and set a special meeting date and time.

Dan asked the Planning Commission to get interview questions to him before the special meeting.

PUBLIC COMMENT

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

OTHER BUSINESS

Acting Chairman Poll asked if there was any other business to discuss.

Virgil Leatherman feels Jack Bengtson should not abstain from discussion or vote regarding the Hope Network property.

Motion by Bengtson, supported by Leatherman to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.

Debby Descheneau

Recording Secretary

Help - Home
Search - Site Map
Community - Government
Services - Business
Reference Desk

Contact the webmaster by clicking here.
Comments regarding website technical problems can be sent here.

An online community since 2000.

City of Grandville
3195 Wilson Avenue SW
Grandville, MI 49418
(616) 531-3030

Site Use Policy

Site Design/
Development by