Planning Commission Minutes

MINUTES

Cascade Charter Township Planning Commission

Monday, June 7, 2004

7:00 pm

ARTICLE 1. Vice Chairman Koessel called the meeting to order.
Members Present: Goldberg, Jones, Koessel, Lewis, Logue, Richards, Robinson.
Members Absent: MacAllister and McDonald (both excused).
Others Present: Planner Deem, Admin. Assistant Thompson and those listed on Supplement #1.

ARTICLE 2. Vice Chairman Koessel led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

ARTICLE 3. The agenda was approved on motion by Member Robinson and supported by Member Lewis. The motion carried.

ARTICLE 4. The Minutes of the May 17, 2004 meeting were approved on motion by Member Goldberg and supported by Member Lewis. The motion carried.

ARTICLE 5. The Township Board Minutes of April 14 and April 28 were received and filed. Member Lewis questioned who is paying for the road improvements for the Manchester Hills project. Planner Deem related his understanding is it will be split between the Forest Hills Public Schools and Eastbrook Development. Eastbrook has purchased all of Stoneshire and they will be sharing the cost of the Hall Street improvements. Member Jones related his understanding is it will come back before the Township Board again. Planner Deem related the Township will not pay for any of the improvements.

ARTICLE 6. Case #04-2633: Karl & Ilene Peterson
(PUBLIC HEARING)
The applicant requested a Type I Special Use Permit for the construction of a 40' x 30' accessory building in the rear yard at 8215 - 60th Street, SE.

Planner Deem related the applicant is here for a Type I Special Use Permit. All accessory buildings over 832 square feet require a Special Use Permit. This proposed building will be 1,200 s.f. The height is proposed to be 18 feet to the mid-point. A 40 foot setback is required from the west side of the property, 300 feet to the rear property line and 226 feet to the east property line.

(Chairman Richards entered the meeting at 7:05 pm).

Planner Deem related the house is 2,022 square feet with a 793 square foot attached garage. The accessory building is consistent with other accessory buildings in the area. The building will be used for additional storage. No new curb cuts will be needed. The location is similar to other accessory buildings in the area. The two properties to the east of the applicant are vacant. The nearest home that would view the building is 500 feet away.

Planner Deem recommended approval of the building with conditions.

Member Lewis questioned the applicant's address being listed in Wyoming. Mrs. Peterson related they just moved to the property two weeks ago. When they applied for the Special Use Permit they were residing in Wyoming. Mrs. Peterson related the building will be used for storage. Her husband is retired and builds furniture for family members. It is a hobby, he does not sell furniture.

Member Robinson asked if the building will have heat. Mrs. Peterson responded yes.

Member Robinson asked if the building will have electricity and water. Mr. Peterson responded it will have electricity but he is not planning on installing water.

Member Lewis supported by Member Robinson moved to open the public hearing. The motion carried and the public hearing was opened.

Planner Deem related no comments were received.

Member Goldberg supported by Member Lewis moved to close the public hearing. The motion carried and the public hearing was closed.

Member Lewis related the proposed building meets the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance.

Member Lewis supported by Member Robinson moved that the request for a 40' x 30' accessory building in the rear yard at 8215 - 60th Street be approved with the following conditions: 1) the building not be involved, directly or indirectly with any business, trade, occupation or profession; and 2) that any lighting for the building be downcast. The motion carried.

ARTICLE 7. Case #04-2629: Sikh Society of Western Michigan
(From the Table of May 3, 2004)
The applicant requested a Type II Special Use Permit for the construction of a Sikh Temple at 4356/4380 Quiggle Avenue (corner of Quiggle Ave. and Cascade Road).

Chairman Richards apologized for being tardy and took over as Chairman for the remainder of the meeting.

Member Robinson supported by Member Koessel moved to remove Case #04-2629 from the Table of May 3, 2004. The motion carried.

Planner Deem related at the May 3, 2004 meeting the Planning Commission tabled this request for additional information which the applicant has now supplied. The following items needed to be addressed:

1) Township Engineer's comments from the April 28 letter,
2) Permits from the Health Department for well and septic need to be obtained;
3) A permit from the Kent County Health Department for well and septic need to be obtained;
4) Plan needs to be updated to show the new fire lane;
5) A more detailed landscaping plan;
6) The type of material for the building; and
7) Location of lighting;

Planner Deem related the applicant has addressed the Engineer's comments and has updated the plans showing the new fire lane and landscaping. The applicant has applied for the permit from the County Health Department and received a verbal okay. Originally the septic system plans were drawn as a residential use. That has been changed to a commercial use as the Health Department considers churches to be commercial for sizing. The change does not affect the layout of the site plan. The applicant has also received a verbal okay from the Road Commission. The Applicant is present tonight. The public hearing was held on May 3 although the Planning Commission may use their discretion to reopen the public hearing. Notices did go out to the surrounding property owners notifying them about tonight's meeting. Planner Deem related the Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the Township Board for the Special Use Permit. Another public hearing will not be held at Township Board.

Planner Deem recommended approval to the Township Board with the following items to be addressed prior to the Township Board meeting: 1) the Kent County Road Commission give final approval regarding the driveway location and road improvements; and 2) the Kent County Health Department give final approval for the site's well and septic needs.

Member Jones asked what was the response from the applicant regarding building materials. Planner Deem related the applicant will address that.

The applicant was represented by Deb Gosselin of JCK and Dr. Mander. Ms. Gosselin pointed out the changes on the site plan:

1) the fire lane has been extended father back along the building
2) trees have been added on the landscape plan
3) location of the lighting has been added
4) the septic permit has been issued this morning. The Health Department requested a 100 foot separation between the septic and storm sewer. The same size basin and septic field will be required.
5) the building material will be reclaimed brick which is very popular for churches. It is re-used brick from older buildings. The building will be painted white which is the traditional color for Sikh Temples.
6) the building height will be 30 feet to the top of the sky light.
7) the Road Commission is ready to issue a permit when given a bond.

Member Koessel asked about the painted brick and if the entire building would be white. Ms. Gosselin responded yes. Because they are using reclaimed brick the color might not be uniform. The window trim will be a color, but other than that it is basically an all white building.

Member Lewis related we appreciate you showing us the landscape plan. He asked can we expect all the landscaping will be in place upon construction. Ms. Gosselin responded yes, is it part of the construction project and will be installed towards the end of the project and before building occupancy.

Member Goldberg supported by Member Koessel moved to recommend approval to the Township Board for a Type II Special Use Permit for the construction of a Sikh Temple at 4356/4380 Quiggle Avenue with the following conditions:
1) the Kent County Road Commission give final approval regarding the driveway location and road improvements; and 2) the Kent County Health Department give final approval for the site's well and septic systems. The motion carried.

ARTICLE 8. Any Other Business

None presented.

ARTICLE 9. Adjournment

Member Goldberg supported by Member Robinson moved to adjourn. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 7:22 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Fred Goldberg, Secretary

MJT:FG

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