Bruce Township Planning Commission

11 December 2007

Meeting called to order: 7pm

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

Absent: None

Also present: Supervisor Gallagher, Zone Admin. M. Schmidt and 11 Township residents

(Welcome to largest group of interested parties that the Planning Commission has

had at meetings for quite awhile.)

Pledge of Allegiance

Approval of agenda: Chairperson added Zoning Administrator’s report as item 4A;

Agenda approved

Approval of minutes of 7 November 2007 meeting: Motion by C. Marsh to approve as presented,

2^nd by B. Osborne. Motion carried unanimously.

Public comment: Questions from the audience concerning appointment of Planning Commission

Members, election of officers and the procedure involved in appointing members.

Chairperson explained that the Township Board appoints members and officers are elected within the group itself. The Planning Commission receives its mandate from the Township Board.

Zoning Administrator’s report: 5 permits were issued in November for 2 new homes and 2 new

garages. Fifty permits have been issued this year, which equals last year’s permits. 2 mobile homes are being removed. Greater percentage of stick built homes being constructed.

Chairperson comments: The newsletter has been published and is available to those who have

requested copies.

2) B. Osborne had indicated interest in attending the MTA meeting in January.

Chairperson asked if she was still interested as it appears no other Board or Commission members are able to attend. The meeting is being held a couple of weeks earlier than in previous years and is not convenient with others peoples schedules. B. Osborne was considering attending alone.

3) Planning Commission 2008 meeting dates were presented. Chairperson explained that after Phase 2 of the Master Plan is completed, the schedule will probably change to quarterly meetings as permitted by State law. Motion to approve the meeting schedule by L. Little, 2^nd by B. Osborne. Motion carried unanimously.

Commissioner comments: none

Discussion of draft ordinance No. 9: a) Definition of Feed Lot: Commissioners had decided

there was a question amongst the public concerning the question of "feed lot"

definition. Chairperson researched other definitions and presented a paragraph that would define "feed lot" in the zoning ordinance. After discussion members decided that the draft definition warranted further study..

2) A new provision-minor signs- is proposed to be added to Article VII Signs and Billboards. New Section 28.707 presents the proposed requirements. A brief discussion followed. No further action taken at this meeting.

Master Plan: Phase 1 adjustments were considered. One purpose of assigning zone areas is to

concentrate the business and light industry areas of the Township in order to

facilitate orderly growth. The M-129 corridor was again discussed. Consensus was to move the area from about 9 Mile to 11 1/2 Mile both sides of the road to Ag/Residential. The area South of 7 Mile to 9 1/2 Mile on Nicolet and Lower Hay Lake Rd and a portion of the area between 6 and 7 Mile on Nicolet were changed from residential to Ag/Residential. Consensus was to zone the center of the Township Ag/Residential. It was suggested commercial/light industry/residential be added to the legend of the zoning map.

The 12 Mile to 15 Mile area will be the next focus.

Other business: None

Public comment: There continues to be questions about the difference between Ag/Residential and Residential

Districts. The concern appears to be that agriculture will be prohibited in areas zoned residential which is not the case.

Motion to adjourn made by C. Marsh, 2^nd by L. Little. Meeting adjourned 8:42 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Person, Secretary