Planning Commission Minutes

CITY OF GRANDVILLE

PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 6, 2006

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Nicely, in the Council Chambers at 7:02 p.m.

PRESENT: Jack Bengtson, Randy Hartgerink, Gene LaSarge, Craig Nicely, Steve Maas, Steve Zinger, and Bob Poll (at 7:05 p.m.)

ABSENT: None

ALSO PRESENT: Ken Krombeen, City Manager

Marci Poley, Recording Secretary

Motion by LaSarge, seconded by Bengtson to approve the agenda as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

Motion by Maas, seconded by Bengtson, to approve the minutes of the August 2, 2006 meeting as presented. The motion passed unanimously.

Ken Krombeen welcomed newly appointed Planning Commission members Gene LaSarge and Steve Zinger.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. PUD Amendment – 4763 Wilson Avenue – Grand Pointe

At the August meeting the Planning Commission tabled its discussion of a requested change in the existing freestanding signage identifying the Grand Pointe PUD and its tenants. The applicant was instructed to consider further options.

Jeff Smith, 5402 Highcroft, Cary, NC of SE Spohn Development came before the Planning Commission to offer further choices for the signage. Mr. Smith presented two sign options and addressed the concern for signage regarding the possibility of future development on the back section of the property. Space has been allocated on the sign for future expansion.

Craig Nicely stated he thought the 60 sq ft. sign was easier to read than the 80 sq. ft. sign.

Bob Poll asked if the proposed sign they are talking about is the one at the south end of the development. Mr. Smith replied that was correct. The new sign would be just south of the southerly curb cut.

Jack Bengtson stated he is in favor of the 60 square foot sign which closely resembles existing signs in the area.

Bob Poll is in favor of the 60 square foot sign. His preference would be to throw away all other signs and have two identical signs at each entrance.

Steve Maas asked how many tenants they have in the building. Mr. Smith replied they have at least 11 tenants.

Motion by Poll, seconded by Bengtson to recommend to the City Council the approval of the PUD Amendment for 4763 Wilson Avenue, Grand Pointe PUD, with the following conditions 1) Existing freestanding signage be removed 2) Replace with two identical freestanding signs each not to exceed 72 Square feet in area or 10 feet in height consistent with the drawing submitted. The motion passed unanimously.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Site Plan Review – 3500 Busch Drive – H & L Advantage

Ken Krombeen reviewed the Site Plan comments for 3500 Busch Drive. The applicant is proposing construction of a 30,700 square foot addition to an existing 33,307 square foot industrial building on a 4.23 acre site. The site is zoned I-2, Industrial and the use is a permitted use.

Jason Vander Kodde, 4079 Park East Ct. Suite 101, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 of Nederveld and Associates came before the Planning Commission to review the site plan and answer any questions they may have.

A portion of the proposed work will be done within the floodplain area. The floodplain is at an elevation of 605.8 ft. A permit from the DEQ will need to be obtained for work in the area. Mr. Vander Kodde is working with the DEQ to acquire that permit.

Mr. Vander Kodde stated they are proposing a second drive entry onto Busch Drive. The road will be along the south and west sides of the building. The driveway is necessary to facilitate traffic flow for delivery. Grandville ordinance calls for 24 foot wide roads to have two way traffic. The proposed road is 20 foot wide and therefore will be signed and marked for one way traffic.

Gene LaSarge asked if there were plans to add more employees. Applicant responded they were looking to add 15-20 employees within 2-3 years.

Site grading in the southeast corner of the proposed paved driveway is offered at an elevation of approximately 605.5 ft., the elevation of the existing ground is 609 ft. Ken Krombeen asked the applicant to address the site grade differential. Mr. Vander Kodde responded that they will be doing some soil erosion protection or possibly a small retaining wall.

Motion by Poll, seconded by Maas to approve the Site Plan Review for 3500 Busch Drive, with the following conditions 1) Site plan approval contingent upon obtaining necessary permits for work in the floodplain. 2) City Engineer review the site elevations prior to issuance of building permit. The motion passed unanimously.

2. Discussion – Flood Plain Ordinance

Ken Krombeen reviewed Sec. 5-4(B) of the Grandville Code of Ordinances. Article 5 contains the city’s flood plain regulations. This section was adopted at the direction of the MDEQ to meet Grandville’s obligation for eligibility in the National Flood Insurance Program. Section 5-4(B) states that no structures can be built in floodway areas. Recently the MDEQ has been issuing permits for construction of certain structures in floodways resulting in variance requests. The city is looking to amend the ordinance to correspond with MDEQ procedures.

Steve Zinger asked what the city’s interest is for anything built in floodways. Ken Krombeen responded the city’s interest would be to minimize the possibility of property damage.

Steve Zinger asked if the DEQ could ever issue a permit for something that the city didn’t want to approve. Ken replied that is a possibility, and he is waiting on more information from the DEQ on the floodway construction policy.

Bob Poll asked if it is possible for a permit to be issued for non-residential purposes. Ken Krombeen responded there is a possibility of that happening.

Pending information from the DEQ, Ken Krombeen stated he could draft the language, and schedule a public hearing for the October Planning Commission meeting. It was the consensus of the Planning Commission that this was acceptable.

OTHER BUSINESS

Ken Krombeen informed the Planning Commission that LSL Planning is continuing their work on the Master Plan update. Two community workshops have been set up for Tuesday, September 26 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at the Grandville High School Rm. 290 and Wednesday, September 27 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at Grandville City Hall. Planning Commissioners were encouraged to attend.

PUBLIC COMMENT

None

Motion by Poll, supported by Zinger to adjourn. The motion passed unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.

Marci Poley

Recording Secretary

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