Township Board
Minutes
MINUTES
CASCADE CHARTER TOWNSHIP
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
7:00 pm
ARTICLE 1. Supervisor Julien called the meeting to order.
Present: Carpenter, Goodyke, Jones, Julien, Parrish, Timmons
Absent: Kleinheksel (with notice).
Others Present: Manager Cravens, Engineer Smalligan, Assessor
Cleveland, Planner Deem, Admin. Assistant Thompson, and those listed
on Supplement #1.
ARTICLE 2. Supervisor Julien led the Pledge of Allegiance to the
Flag.
ARTICLE 3. The agenda was approved on motion by Trustee Parrish and
supported by Treasurer Carpenter. The motion carried.
ARTICLE 4. Approval of Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Township Board Minutes
1. Regular Meeting Minutes of 6/9/04
b. Receive and File Various Meeting Minutes
1. Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Minutes of 5/11/04
2. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of 5/17/04
c. Receive and File Various Reports
1. Fire Department Month End Report for May 2004
d. Receive and File Communications
1. Letter from Kent County Board of Commissioners
Approving Cascade Township DDA Expansion
Trustee Goodyke supported by Trustee Parrish moved to approve.
The motion carried.
ARTICLE 5. Financial Actions (None)
ARTICLE 6. Public Actions
Treasurer Carpenter supported by Trustee Parrish moved to recess the
regular meeting to go to public hearing. The motion carried.
a. Public Hearing - re: Request from Designed Conveyor Systems of
Michigan, Inc. for an IFT Exemption Certificate
for Personal Property only
Assessor Cleveland related the applicant has applied for an IFT in
the amount of $329,500 for personal property only. Designed Conveyor
System is located at 4890 Kendrick and presently employs 35 people.
They are projecting 15 new jobs within two years. Assessor Cleveland
recommended granting the exemption for six years.
Ross Smelker, Vice President of Operations, represented the
applicant. Mr. Smelker related the company is a conveyor company and
six months ago they decided to purchase this property for growth
expansion. Their strategy is to become a manufacturing company. This
piece of equipment would be a laser cutter that was not available on
the market six months ago.
Treasurer Carpenter asked if this is for one piece of equipment.
Mr. Smelker responded yes.
b. Public Hearing - re: Consideration of Proposed Illicit Discharge
and Connection Ordinance
Manager Cravens related this was discussed on a staff level by Jim
Smalligan along with the Grand Valley Metro Council. This deals with
eliminating pollution and discharge into waterways. This deals with
illicit discharge (which could be present purposely or mistakenly)
going into the wastewater system. Jim Smalligan and George Davis are
the main authors of the ordinance. This is a model ordinance that is
being considered by all jurisdictions in the lower Grand River water
basin. Supervisor Julien asked if this is already covered by State and
Federal environmental law. Manager Cravens responded apparently it is
not. Engineer Smalligan related through the EPA it requires the
township to adopt the ordinance and remedy any problems. Manager
Cravens related within a year more agencies and local governments will
be adopting the ordinance. Manager Cravens recommended adoption.
c. Public Hearing - re: Consideration of Proposed Amendments to the
Soil Erosion Control Ordinance.
Manager Cravens related this has gone through some correspondence
with the MDEQ about our ordinance in the audit procedure. The Township
submitted our ordinance to them and their response was our language
needed to be changed. Our existing ordinance has been approved by the
MDEQ. This is a whole new ordinance due to the many text changes
throughout the ordinance.
Planner Deem recommended adoption.
Treasurer Carpenter supported by Trustee Jones moved to close the
public hearing and return to the regular meeting. The motion carried.
ARTICLE 7. Public Comments (None)
ARTICLE 8. Unfinished Business (None)
ARTICLE 9. New Business
73-2004 Consider Approval of IFT Exemption Certificate Request from
Designed Conveyor Systems of Michigan, Inc.
Trustee Parrish supported by Trustee Goodyke moved to approve. The
motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
74-2004 Consider Approval of Proposed Illicit Discharge and
Connection Ordinance
Trustee Parrish supported by Treasurer Carpenter moved to approve.
Trustee Timmons asked is there anything that requires the Township
to prosecute violators. Engineer Smalligan related it is discretionary
as far as prosecution. Trustee Timmons asked if we can prosecute
violators on a case by case basis. Manager Cravens related we usually
write a letter of warning first. For example we would go after someone
discharging raw sewage. We may not go after someone who has connected
their gutters to the storm drain under this ordinance. This ordinance
addresses non-storm water discharge. Trustee Timmons asked if this
will be publicized. Manager Cravens responded he is ready to do that.
The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
75-2004 Consider Approval of Proposed amendments to the Soil
Erosion Control Ordinance
Treasurer Carpenter supported by Trustee Jones moved to approve. The
motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
76-2004 Consider Approval of a Type II Special Use Permit to
Construct a Sikh Temple at the corner of Quiggle Avenue and Cascade
Road
Planner Deem related the location is next door to Ada Bible Church
at the intersection of Quiggle Avenue and Cascade Road. The parcel is
7.82 acres in size. The site plan meets all the standards under the
Special Use Permit section of the Zoning Ordinance for churches and
temples regarding the number of seats. The applicant has provided for
more than the required number of parking spaces, landscaping, and
setbacks. The site plan was designed to allow a future building
addition and still meet the setback and land area requirements. A
requirement is the parcel have access to least one collector or
arterial street. Cascade Road is an arterial street. The building
height is 30 feet to the top of the skylight. The building will be
constructed using reclaimed brick, painted white. The Planning
Commission held a public hearing where a number of residents expressed
their concerns regarding traffic and the impact on Cascade Road. The
applicant will be required to install a by-pass lane. This section of
Cascade Road carries 3,000 trips per day but has capacity for 10,000 -
12,000 trips per day.
Planner Deem recommended approval of the Type II Special Use Permit
to allow the construction of the Sikh Temple.
Trustee Parrish asked what days the building will be used. Dr.
Mander, representing the applicant, responded mostly Sundays.
Trustee Goodyke asked if the applicant will have access both to
Quiggle and Cascade Road. Dr. Mander responded they currently do not
have access to both streets, but do have the ability to use Quiggle. A
future expansion shows access to Quiggle Avenue.
Treasurer Carpenter asked if they plan to have a school there. Dr.
Mander responded no. They are like a normal church.
Supervisor Julien asked how far away is public water and sewer?
Manager Cravens responded two and a half to three miles.
Trustee Goodyke supported by Trustee Parrish moved to approve.
Trustee Timmons noted Staff has pointed out this application meets
all of the local requirements. Several years ago Congress passed
federal regulations that severely curtails local government's ability
to restrict religious organizations. Supervisor Julien agreed.
Trustee Goodyke asked Trustee Jones if the vote at the Planning
Commission was unanimous. Trustee Jones responded he believes it was.
Supervisor Julien asked do you have a current place of worship? Dr.
Mander responded yes they are currently meeting at the intersection of
28th Street and Ivanrest in Grandville. They meet there on the first
and third Sundays of the month.
The motion carried.
77-2004 Consider Resolution Authorizing Revocation of Consent
Agreements with Everest Connections Corporation
Trustee Timmons supported by Trustee Parrish moved to approve.
Manager Cravens related the fees will be paid by Everest Connections.
The motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
78-2004 Consider First Reading of Ordinance Approving Amended
District Development & Tax Increment Financing Plans of the
Cascade Charter Township Downtown Development Authority
Manager Cravens related this is the first reading for the
ordinance. The DDA district has grown since its adoption in 1994. The
County is facing a reduction in State revenue sharing and a 10 million
dollar deficit. They are objecting to the proposed expansion in
Centennial Park. This is a draft plan which is 90% complete. More
financial information will be included. Manager Cravens related he
would like to have it adopted at last meeting in July.
Supervisor Julien related his pet project is the 28th Street
boulevard scheduled for 2017. Manager Cravens related the final
document will show maps as part of the body of text and photographs of
the district today. Projects will be timed to coincide with other
projects we have on 28th Street. For example, we are looking at
replacement of the 28th Street sewer and installation of sidewalks at
the same time.
Trustee Goodyke related a lot of folks may think the DDA is
self-serving for businesses in that district. But most of the
improvements benefit the community as a whole.
Trustee Parrish supported by Trustee Carpenter moved to accept the
First Reading. The motion carried.
ARTICLE 10. Manager's Comments
Manager Cravens passed out pictures of the progress on the Camel Back
Bridge and the restroom building at the park.
ARTICLE 11. Board Member Comments
Treasurer Carpenter related the tax history is on the web site. Tax
Bills will go out July 1.
Trustee Parrish related the walk for the Cascade Community
Foundation on July 10 is doing well. They have received $8,000 in
sponsorships and will have a booth at the 4th of July festivities
where people can register.
Trustee Jones asked about the completion date for the restrooms.
Manager Cravens related they are on schedule but may have a problem
getting some fixtures. The existing men's restroom has been vandalized
so that has been closed and portable toilets have been placed there.
Supervisor Julien addressed the new neighborhood on Cascade Road
and the condition of the pathway. He related an ordinance is needed to
address that in the future. Manager Cravens related he will have one
for the first meeting in July.
ARTICLE 12. Adjournment
Trustee Parrish supported by Trustee Jones moved to adjourn. The
motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 8:12 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Marilyn Thompson
Administrative Assistant
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