Recent Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

Secord Township 1507 Secord Dam Road Gladwin, Michigan 48624

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SECORD TOWNSHIP
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION
MEETING MINUTES
June 16, 2010

In Attendance: Thelma Mitchell, Rex Rowe, Tony Reale, Colin Combs, Mike Fagan, Jenny Carroll, Mickey Hetherington and Jim Carroll, Zoning Adm.

Absent: none

The meeting was called to order at 10:00 AM by Thelma Mitchell, Chairperson. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Roll call was taken with all members present.

Minutes of Previous Meeting: Motion to approve May 12, 2010 minutes was made by Fagan, 2nd by Reale.

Old Business:
• Fence Ordinance-work was started on revising the fence definition #602.6 and the current fence ordinance #402.12. It was suggested that a permit be required for all fences. Discussion was on changing the current requirement of a 4 ft. to a 6 ft. fence. A vote was taken on the height of the fence: Rex-4 ft., Tony-6 ft., Colin-4 ft., Mike-4 ft., Jenny-6 ft., Mickey-6 ft. and Thelma-4 ft. The vote was 4 to 3 with the height of the fence remaining at 4 feet. The ordinance needs to clearly identify if it is R-1, C-1 or A-1.
• Last month we approved a special use permit for D. Welch to use a pole barn to repair salvage vehicles. Rex brought to our attention that a Public Hearing was needed before this decision should have been made.
• Rex has a concern that the Planning Commission is making decisions that the ZBA should be making. He feels that the ZBA is part of the Planning Commission and we are asking them to make decision we are not comfortable with. He said that it is not a good idea to have two groups of people making decisions. Thelma explained that the Planning Commission is the first avenue and if the citizen is not in agreement they can pay and request the ZBA. After that it is the Court of Appeals. He feels all variances should go to the ZBA.
• Dock and Floating Raft Ordinance-work was started on this ordinance. A draft was prepared and reviewed. Jenny was asked to contact the DEQ and asked if reflectors should be on fishing shanties.

New Business:
• MTA training on Nine Golden Rules of Defensible Decision-making will be held in Gaylord on July 14 or Frankenmuth on July 21 starting at 5:00 pm. It was decided to attend in Frankenmuth this year. We will car pool leaving at 3:30 pm and meeting at the M-30 parking lot.
• Zoning Ordinance-Municipal Civil Infractions-Our attorney notified us that a public hearing is required for the amendment to the Secord Township Zoning Ordinance, Section 708 – Violations and Penalties. The Planning and Zoning Commission needs to be involved and review the ordinance. Then it will go to the Township Board for adoption. It must be published in the newspaper within 15 days of adoption and will be effective on the eight day after.
• The Planning Commission would like to put an article in the annual newsletter. It could include information on the township ordinances and who to call if they have a question.

The next meeting date is July 14, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.

Motion was made by Combs to adjourn, 2nd by Fagan at 2:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Mickey Hetherington, Secretary

Cc: Kathie Hart