LAKE ANGELUS PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
November 29, 2016
Present:Chair, Bob Bailey; Commissioners Joe Hilger, Gary Parlove, Mark Symonds, Chuck Poploskie, Ed Prokopp; Attorney, Gerald Fisher; Building Officials;John Jackson and Brian Keesey; Clerk Elect, Lee McNew
Visitors:Dick and Joyce Lund, Carl Matisse, Gretchen Adler, John McNew, Jon Cabot, Jerry Hemphill
Edward Prokopp was sworn in as Planning Commissioner.
Chairman Bailey called the meeting to order at 7 p.m.
The minutes of October 25, 2016 were approved as corrected.
Bob Bailey and Attorney Fisher recommended the need for time limits for speakers at Planning
Commission meetings as is usual in most communities. A proposal was presented. A motion to
“establish policy providing a uniform time for speakers at city meetings” was made by Joe
Hilger and seconded by Chuck Poploskie. It was passed unanimously. The policy will also be recommended for the City Council. It will be posted on the website for both groups if passed. The Clerk will be responsible for keeping time.
Resident Comments: Heidi Hoyles suggested that a berm clean up should be conducted.
Matisse property: The special land use for pathway and seawallwere approved (subject to MDEQ approval) previously. The need for elevations and floor plans was requested by the Planning Commission before site plan approval which Mr. Matisse submitted. Brian Keesey recommended approval; the height requirement meets our ordinances and the square footage of 5460 square feet complies with our ordinances. There are two conditions to the approval recommended, 1) the courtyard wall and firepit are indicated as accessory to the primary residence and incidental to the residence and comply with all setback requirements, 2)the seawall requires an MDEQ permit for the seawall.
There was considerable discussion because the elevation and floor plans submitted were not in a format usually submitted to the Planning Commission. The members wanted 10 large copies of the elevations and floor plans to include “to scale drawings” (stamped by architect, civil engineer or registered land surveyor) with dimensions noted and also a site plan application. This has been the usual procedure, but is not reflected in our current ordinance for site plan submission. Jon Cabot asked whether the Planning Commission needed to modify the ordinance (1242.04). Members discussed the need to modify the ordinance to reflect current practice. It was also suggested that a meeting with McKenna was needed to clear up the confusion.
Heidi Hoyles made a motion to table the site plan approval until the “usual” plans were submitted. Ed Prokopp seconded the motion. The vote was two to five and failed to pass.
It was moved by Gary Parlove to approve the site plan and that Carl Matisse will provide the elevations and floor plan, as stamped architectural, to scale drawings, along with the permit when he requests a building permit or earlier. The motion was seconded by Chuck Poploskie and approved by five of seven members.
The details of site plan submission requirements need to be resolved.
Public Hearing: Chairman Bob Bailey opened the public hearing on the Lakeshore Watercraft Launching Ordinance
After an introduction of the proposed zoning ordinance amendment, Chairman Bailey opened the public hearing. No objections to the proposed amendment were presented by the public.A discussion by Planning Commission members included, (1 On page 6 (i) the authorization of who may launch a boat, the occupant of the property needs to be included for private property. (2 Also, on page 6, ii, D., it was felt that personal watercraft prohibited should read, including “but not limited to” a vessel commonly known as a jet ski. 3) Fines for violations on page 7, 6a third indented dot, the language needed to be tightened so the repeat offenses can be enforced.
At the conclusion of the discussion, a motion was made to approve the Lakeshore Watercraft Launching Ordinance with the items amended in the above discussion and to recommend that City Council approve the ordinance. Mark Symonds made the motion. Chuck Poploskie seconded the motion and it was passed unanimously.
The public hearing was closed.
Brian Keesey report:
The Planning Commission needs to decide about acceptable structures permitted at the lakefront. The Commission felt that irrigation pumps and a cover were an important part of the usual irrigation for lawns. It was decided that a small pump house should be allowed and should be in the least intrusive location which could be within 3 foot of the front yard side lot line. Measurements for the structure should be determined, perhaps 3x3x3 and consistent with the architecture of the house or the natural surroundings. Jerry Fisher will write such an addition to the lakeshore preservation ordinance.
An application for a demolition permit for the property next to Phil Incarnati is expected. The ownership of the property must be confirmed by a recorded document. The drain also needs to be addressed. Dry cutting of stone at the Greenlees needs to be addressed.
The international property maintenance ordinance has been adopted and provides for lawn cutting, taking care of falling down structures etc. The Clerk will publish a notice on the list serv, the angelus and on the website with a link so the entire ordinance may be accessed.
A woodland ordinance is definitely needed. Bob Bailey suggested a moratorium on tree cutting unless the tree is dead or in the way of building. The Commission is most concerned with clear cutting. This will be brought up at the next Council meeting.
Next items of concern are
Landscape fences
Permanent docks
Transformer regulations
Seawall in boat launch area
Beach sanding
Lumens as a measure of light is a problem and there have been many complaints about
bright lights
A square footage coverage of lot ordinance should be addressed. Some lots have many
front feet but have very little square footage.
The meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.
The next Commission meeting will the Tuesday January 17, 2017. All are welcome.
Respectfully submitted:
Lee M. McNew
City of Lake Angelus Clerk
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