Bruce Township Planning Commission

Special Meeting

29 February 2008

Present: J. Fischer, L. Little, L. MacDonald, B. Osborne, C. Person

Absent: C. Marsh

Also present: Supervisor D. Gallagher and approximately 20 residents

Meeting called to order: 7:00 pm

Pledge of Allegiance

Agenda accepted as presented

No public comment at this time. Chairman granted opportunity for comment after the Commission presented

agenda per request of audience.

Chairperson comments: Information on 2 proposed State laws awaiting signature of Governor that would affect

the way local units of government perform their planning and zoning duties.

Commissioner comments: J. Fischer pointed out that any plan, project or proposal comes in under whatever ordinance provisions are

in place at the time. Also pointed out the circumstances regarding Mr. Jeff Moran’s Special Land Use request for business on 9 Mile. There is perhaps misinformation given to the public that needed to be cleared up.

C. Person pointed out that zoning in the township had been effect since 1964 and the present commission used the old ordinance as its starting point in the update process. It was expressed that the Master Plan is a development guide and does not effect taxation of property. The commission has worked long and hard to create a fair and current Plan for the Township.

L. MacDonald expressed that residents probably would not even not even notice the establishment of zoning districts in their day-to-day lives if incorrect information had not been broadcast around the community.

L. Little expressed that the Planning Commission promoted family and was working to maintain the Township’s current lifestyle. The Commission works for the public.

B. Osborne pointed out that as a group the Commission has the best interest of the public in mind and decisions are now being made that could affect the children and grandchildren of Township residents.

L MacDonald pointed out that the Commission has followed the dictates of State Law. The Zoning Ordinance and Map only affect new Township development. Commission did its best to follow the preferences expressed in the survey that was sent out to the all residents.

Master Plan adjustments: It was pointed out that a future land use map is required to be included in the Master Plan to validate the Plan. The proposed future land text use and map will be set aside as Board support is lacking and the Plan will revert to an essentially incomplete status.

L. Little inquired if the Township would be still eligible for grants without the future land use map and Chair replied that he did not know. Section 10 of the Proposed Master Plan will include this Paragraph:

Upon consideration of the data and other information contained in Sections 1-9 of this

document and as a result of discussions with Township residents, the Township Board

has concluded that the Township has not yet reached the point where specific geographic

future development decisions can be made that have the necessary public support.

This being the case, a discussion of future development concepts and preparation

of a Future Land Use Map is being deferred until residents support such action.

Motion to formally adopt revised Section 10 and revised section 11 to be presented at the Public Hearing

12 March 2008 made by L. Little, 2^nd by B. Osborne. Motion passed unanimously.

Draft ordinance amendment: The proposed addition of Minor Signs to Article VII in the Zoning Ordinance

remains as previously discussed. The complete text of Article XIII adopted as part of Amendment No. 8 on

June 14, 2007 will be deleted and the Article XIII language in effect prior to June 14 2007 will be

returned to the Zoning Ordinance in accordance with Board preferences. Two other minor text changes will be made as language of State Law has changed and to reflect a previous commitment to the public. Motion by L. Little 2^nd by B. Osborne to present amendment at Public Hearing on 12 March 2008. Motion passed unanimously.

Public comment: Several questions from the audience resulted in the explanation that it was not the role of the

Planning Commission to deal with some of the problems expressed by the residents. The Planning

Commission is a guidance body for the decision makers. It was reiterated that after the Public Hearing the Master Plan and Ordinance amendments will be presented to the Township Board. If the Board adopts the proposals the presented material will go into effect.

Motion to adjourn made by J. Fischer, 2^nd by L. Little. Meeting adjourned 8:34 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn Person, secretary