Planning Commission Minutes
CITY OF GRANDVILLE
PLANNING
COMMISSION MINUTES
The meeting was
called to order by Acting Chairman Poll, in the Council Chambers at
7:10 p.m.
PRESENT:
Jack Bengtson, Randy Hartgerink, Steve Maas, and Bob
Poll
ABSENT:
Craig Nicely
ALSO
PRESENT: Marci Poley, Recording Secretary
Motion by, Maas seconded by Hartgerink to approve the agenda as
presented. The motion passed unanimously.
Motion by Bengtson, seconded by Maas, to approve the minutes of the
July 5, 2006 meeting as presented. The motion passed unanimously.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. PUD Amendment – 4763 Wilson Avenue – Grand Pointe
Acting Chairman Bob Poll introduced Jeff Smith.
Jeff
Smith, 5402 Highcroft, Cary, NC of Spohn Development came before the
Planning Commission to answer any questions they may have regarding
the proposed Check n’ Go use at the Grand Pointe PUD, 4763 Wilson.
The Planning Commission is requested to comment on the
permissability of that proposed use. Mr. Smith introduced Check ‘n
Go employee Stacey Bowman.
Stacey explained Check ‘n Go provides short term payday loans. In
previous years Check ‘n Go offered check cashing services, but they
are no longer offered.
Jack
Bengtson asked what the interest rates were for the short term
loans. Stacey replied that is a difficult question to answer because
an interest rate is an annual thing and they do not do annual loans.
They do quote an annual percentage rate and those range anywhere
from 300-400%.
Jack
Bengtson inquired what happens if a customer does not return. Stacey
replied that they call the bank to see if funds are available, make
customer contact, and then forward it to the corporate office if
they are unsuccessful in collecting.
Bob
Poll asked what the maximum is to qualify for and to have the Check
‘n Go process clarified. Stacey responded $600 is the maximum
someone can qualify for. Once the customer is approved they have the
option of choosing check or cash. They must return within 14 days to
recompense.
Steve
Maas inquired about the Check ‘n Go corporate structure. Stacey
replied Check ‘n Go is privately owned by the Davis Family and has
been in business for approximately 13 years. There is no franchising
and there are over 1,300 locations nationwide.
Steve
Maas asked if the Michigan’s Deferred Presentment Service
Transactions Act changed how Check ‘n Go does business. Stacey
replied the only thing that has changed was that they were offering
up to $1,000 for loans and the state law reduced that to $600. The
new law also states that by the end of 2006 a statewide database
would need to be implemented. All transactions must go through the
database to verify that a customer has not more than two payday
loans out at time. Check ‘n Go is active on the database as of July
31, 2006.
Steve
Maas asked about what kind of security is offered. Stacey replied
they have panic alarms, drop safes, floor safes, and video cameras.
Acting Chairman Poll asked the neighboring tenants that were present
if they had any thoughts.
Troy
Fischer, 1290 Hillbrook Ct, Belmont MI 49306, of Dublin Jerky stated
that he thought the Check ‘n Go would bring in some traffic and
would be a good thing.
Dan
Otteson, a representative from Bo-Rics, stated he is in favor of the
Check’ n Go. He thinks it could generate more customers
Randy Hartgerink asked when the
lease was going to be signed. Jeff Smith responded the lease had
already been signed.
No action was taken on this
request. A final determination will be made by the City Coucnil.
Acting Chairman Poll informed the applicant that they could appeal
to the City Council.
Acting Chairman Poll moved on to
the second item in the proposed PUD Amendment. The applicant is
requesting a modification to the freestanding signage identifying
the Grand Pointe PUD and its tenants.
Jeff Smith, gave a brief review of
the proposed signs.
Bob Poll asked of the two sign
choices presented which is preferred. Mr. Smith replied they prefer
the larger sign.
Steve Maas said that signage has
always been an issue. He is not a fan of signs, but thinks in this
case it would be helpful and is in favor of more signage.
Bob Poll questioned if there was a
reason they do not want to copy the existing signage and if the
applicant would be satisfied with having two identical signs. Mr.
Smith replied visibility is the reason they do not want to copy the
existing signage.
Bob Poll stated that his
preference would be for the applicant to come back next month with
two signs that look alike.
Jack Bengtson said that he
understands the need for more signage, but is not in favor of either
sign presented. His choice would be for a lower sign.
Motion made by Bengtson, supported by Mass to table the request
until the September meeting, to collect staff input and to give the
applicant the opportunity to come back before the Commission with
additional sign options. The motion passed unanimously.
2.
Site Plan Presentation – 3413 30th St – Grandville
East Elementary
Acting Chairman Poll introduced
Grandville Public Schools Superintendent Ron Caniff.
Public schools are not required to
go before the Planning Commission for site plan approval. Mr. Caniff
gave a brief overview of the project as a courtesy to the Planning
Commission. The site plan includes an enlarged parking/drop off area
on the site of a residential home that was recently acquired.
3. LSL Planning – Master
Plan Update
Val Lazdins, LSL Planning Inc., 15
Ionia SW, Suite 450, Grand Rapids MI 49503 – came before the
Planning Commission to present the findings to date in the Master
Plan process. Goals and objectives include: (1) Promote strong,
healthy, and affordable residential neighborhoods; (2) Reinforce
downtown Grandville as a unique and special place; (3) Improve the
character and quality of the North end; (4) Maintain the Rivertown
Parkway corridor as a well planned and designed area; and (5)
Enhance development character at the Chicago Drive/I-196
interchange. Highpoints of findings pertain to growth and
demographic changes. Areas of focus are the southern corridor
adjacent to the mall, specifically looking at the X-Rite property
and properties to the south. Other areas of focus are the old Hope
Network property, the north end of the city, the former mobile home
park, 28th Street improvements and the Chicago Drive
corridor coming into the city.
The next step will be to have a
community workshop including a presentation to the general public
and report the key findings, vision statement and goals and
objectives.
Jack Bengtson stated he thinks the
Master Plan looked very nice.
Mr.
Lazdins will work with City staff to get the dates together for the
public workshops.
4. Planning Commission
Vacancies Discussion
Ron Caniff spoke on behalf of the
schools regarding the vacancy created by Virgil Leatherman leaving
the Planning Commission. The Board of Education meets on Monday,
August 7 and this item is on the agenda for discussion. The school
will work quickly to provide a recommendation on its representative
to the Planning Commission.
The Commission discussed the
applicants for appointment to fill the vacancy created by Dave
Zondervan’s resgination. The consensus was that all applicants were
qualified, but Gene LaSarge has been attending meetings regularly
and has expressed much interest.
Motion made by Bengtson, supported by Hartgerink to recommend the
Grandville City Council appointment of Gene LaSarge to the Planning
Commission. The motion passed unanimously.
OTHER BUSINESS
Acting Chairman Poll asked if there was any other business to
discuss. There was none.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Acting Chairman Poll asked if there were any public comments to be
made.
Jeff
Smith, 5402 Highcroft, Cary, NC of Spohn Development returned to ask
for guidance regarding the Grand Pointe PUD Amendment for the sign
at 4763 Wilson Avenue.
Steve
Maas stated that he believes the underlying zoning is OS-2 with a
C-1 component. Mr. Maas would like some clarifications from City
staff regarding what zoning classification they are following.
Acting Chairman Poll reminded Mr. Smith that the Planning
Commissioners will need to speak to the City Manager for
clarification.
Troy
Fischer, 1290 Hillbrook Ct, Belmont MI 49306, of Dublin Jerky
believes that a larger sign would bring in more business.
Eli
Bourjeili, 1766 Glenvale Ct, Wyoming MI 49509, of Goldsmith Jewelry
says he has been in business for 2 ½ years and customers are still
unaware they are there. Mr. Bourjeili is in favor of a larger sign.
Dan
Otteson, a representative from Bo-Rics, suggested a larger sign
would help bring in more clients.
Acting Chairman Poll recommended speaking to City staff to find out
what options are available.
Motion by Bengtson, supported by Maas to adjourn. The motion passed
unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
Marci
Poley
Recording
Secretary
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