Bruce Township Planning Commission

8 January 2008

Meeting called to order 7:03 p.m.

Members present: J. Fischer, L. Little, L. MacDonald, C. Marsh, B. Osborne, C. Person

Absent: Zoning Admin. M. Schmidt

Also present: Approx. 25 Township residents

Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of agenda: no changes

Election of officers 2008: Motion by C. Marsh, 2^nd J. Fischer to retain current officers. Motion passed

Unanimously. 2008 officers: L. MacDonald Chair, L. Little Vice-chair, and C. Person Secretary.

Approval of Minutes of 11 December 2007 meeting: J. Fischer felt a clarification was needed regarding the

Master Plan topic discussing the M-129 corridor. The sentence should read "Consensus was to move the area from about 9 mile south to 11 mile into the Ag/Res designation instead of the current proposed light industrial zone. Motion to approve minutes with the correction by C. Marsh, 2^nd B. Osborne. Motion carried unanimously.

Public comment: The commission received Input and questions from the audience. All comments were welcomed. There continues to be confusion among the residents as the function of a zoning map.

Zoning does not have any effect on property taxes. The commission attempted to clarify many points brought up by the audience.

Chairperson comments: There have been 2808 hits on the Township website. The website address is:

www: brucetownship.net.

Commissioner comments: none

Discussion of the draft ordinance amendment: The feedlot definition (28.206 F.) now reads as the definition

included in the Michigan Right to Farm Act. The addition of (28.701 and 28.707) to include minor

signs are the two signing changes proposed for this amendment. Motion by J. Fischer, 2^nd by B. Osborne to recommend to the Township Board to adopt the amendment with the revised language as presented.

Motion approved unanimously.

Master Plan: Minor changes were made to the draft of the zoning map as a result of input from the audience.

The map is shaping up with emphasis on agricultural areas. Residential areas are growing, however.

The comm./light industrial/res. area does provide for potential business in the Township. The final proposed map shall be presented at a public hearing in the near future. The commission feels this is a more realistic portrayal of development in the Township and has appreciated the input from various residents.

Chairperson hopes that the Master Plan can be finished in the next few months. At that time the

Planning Commission will meet quarterly or on an as needed basis.

Other business: None

Public comment: Chair entertained a few more comments/questions from the audience.

Motion to adjourn made by C. Marsh, 2^nd B. Osborne. Meeting adjourned 9:05p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Person, secretary