Bruce Township Planning Commission
and Public hearing
12 March 2008
Members present: J. Fischer, L. Little, L. MacDonald C. Marsh. B. Osborne, C. Person
Absent: none
Also present: D. Gallagher Supervisor, W. Sawyer Clerk, R. LaJoie Treasurer and approx. 25 residents.
Meeting called to order: 7:04 pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Agenda approved as presented
Minutes of 12 February 2008 and Public Hearing 29 February 2008: Motion by B. Osborne, 2nd by J. Fischer to
approve minutes as presented. Motioned carried
Public comment: None at this time
Chairman comments: 1). Letter from Kinross Township stating they are updating their land use and zoning
ordinance and will be sending copies of the draft around to adjoining townships for review.
2). State Legislature has completed work on 2 bills that shall effect local government and will change
the zoning enabling act. They are technical in nature and appear to be contradictory in nature.
3). Another proposal combines the responsibility of local governing bodies to promote consistency.
Commissioner comments: J. Fischer responded to a comment from the previous meeting concerning salaries of
the Planning Commission. She has determined that combining all of the commission salaries would
pave 1 mile of township roads every 15 years. L. Little thanked the audience for being present at the meeting and reminded the group that the Planning Commission is here for the community.
Public hearing for the Master Plan section 19 and 11 open to the public at 7:30. Chair read a revised 2
paragraph statement that could be substituted in the Future Land Use portion of the Master Plan that
would indicate the community has not reached a point where specific geographic future development decisions can be made that have necessary public support. Adoption of this proposed Section 10 would render the Master Plan incomplete as state Law mandates a future land use Zoning map be included in the adopted document. Section 11 denotes the Master Plan implementation.
Several questions from the audience were answered from the audience pointing out that property tax classifications are not at all affected by the zoning classifications and that the township would be returned to a "blank" map indicating agricultural/residential classification for the entire township.
Hearing closed at 7:53. Discussion by commission members resulted in motion by B. Osborne, 2nd by J. Fischer to present the 12 March version of the Master plan to the Township Board and the 12 February version of the Master Plan which includes the zoning map. If the Board were to consider the 12 February version another Public Hearing would be in order before the Board could adopt that version.
The Planning commission is behind the 12 February version as it is felt public input has resulted in an acceptable map. This would complete the Master Plan and the Township would have a document congruent with State Law. A unanimous roll call vote was to present both plans to the Township Board.
Public Hearing to present Amendment #9 of the Zoning Ordinance opened at 8:12pm: Article VII adds the
provision for minor signs to the ordinance. Article XIII returns all of Bruce Township to an
Agricultural/residential district which deletes part of Amendment 8 and returns the language in the zoning ordinance to pre-14 June 2007. Minor text changes are also included as State Law has changed.
No public comment. Hearing closed 8:28pm.
Motion by B. Osborne, 2nd by L. Little to present amendment 39 to the Township Board for adoption
13 March 2008. Roll call vote: Marsh yes, Osborne yes, Little yes, MacDonald yes, Fischer yes,
Person yes. Motion passed unanimously.
Other business: none
Public comment: J. Moran objected to comments made by J. Fischer about signs at his business. Commission
felt the Special Land Use granted to Mr. Moran had gone well with both parties pleased with the
conditions stated in the permit. Perhaps there was a misunderstanding on the sign issue and Mr. Moran
was encouraged to apply for a sign permit for his business.
Another question from J. Kessler concerning the promptness of posting Planning Commission minutes
on the web sight. Chair pointed out that the minutes were not considered valid until the next meeting
when they were accepted by the members. He concurred there was a time lapse in the posting and would
attempt to get the minutes posted in a more timely matter.
Motion to adjourn made by C. Marsh, 2nd by B. Osborne. Meeting adjourned 8:47 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Carolyn Person, Secretary