CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF VIENNA

PLANNING COMMISSION

 

 

TO:  Vernon Curtis, Dale Frappier, Scott Preseau, James Schweitzer, Lee Garner, Ben Ranger.

cc:     Anthony McKerchie, Richard Scott, Paul Luttenbacher, Mark Corba, Kathy Ridley,

           Michael Zinn, Peter Doerr.

 

        

PRESENT:   Vernon Curtis, Dale Frappier, Lee Garner, Scott Preseau, Ben Ranger, Robert

                         Palmer, Beverley Williams.

 

ABSENT:      James Schweitzer.

 

PREVIOUS MINUTES:  June 25, 2001.  Moved by Preseau, seconded by Frappier to

                                            accept previous minutes as presented.

                                            Motion carried.

 

COMMUNICATIONS:  None

                                      

NEW BUSINESS: 

 

Item 1.  James Christensen, Clio Sand & Soil, was present requesting a Special Land Use

               Permit to sell outside landscape materials and equipment at 11217 N. Saginaw Road.

 

         A.  This hearing was tabled at the February 12, 2001 meeting until February 26^th.  Mr.

               Christensen requested the meeting to be postponed until tonight.

        

         B.  Moved by Preseau, seconded; by Garner to put this back on the table.

 

         C.  Mr. Christensen asked to change the site plan to bring the landscaping up near the

               bins that are already in place.  His goal is to dig the lake and he would like to sell the

               landscape materials and possibly, in the future, sell  some landscape equipment

               such as small land rakes and other small equipment.  It was pointed out that Mr.

               Christensen is operating under the old Natural Resource Recovery Ordinance

               because he started his operation before Ordinance No. 271 and 272 were adopted.

               Mr. Christensen stated that the north end will be completed by fall of this year and

               the trailers with straw will be gone by (October of 2001). 

 

               Mr. Christensen was reminded of the concrete that he brought in, then the asphalt,

               and then the railroad ties.  He was not supposed to bring in outside materials to sell.

        

         D.  Supervisor McKerchie, 11167 West Glen, has concerns that Mr. Christensen doesn’t

               follow through at all and there is no way this board can approve this site plan

               tonight.  There are no measurements and we don’t know if it meets the codes.

               There are many violations on the site including a violation of the sign ordinance.

 

         E.  Tom Fisk, owner of the property just north said Mr. Christensen has been a good

               neighbor, but he thinks the proposed fence should be installed on the line before his

               site plan is approved.  Other than that, he has no problem with the operation.

 

         F.  Bob Palmer stated that blowing sand is a big problem.  He doesn’t see a problem

              with the landscaping if they can get rid of the sand.  He is also very concerned with

              the area of  “used equipment”.  He recommends not to even discuss equipment

              sales at this time. 

 

         G.  Charles Morris, 1450 W. Wilson Road, stated he has no objection to the project.

 

         H.  Dale Frappier commented on the site plan.  It needs to be completed before we can

              act on it.  He does think the property looks better than when it was grown up to

              weeds.  He would just as soon see the whole thing done, but there does need to be

              a more complete site plan.

 

         I.  It was noted that letters were sent to 42 area residents and only 2 persons attended

             the meeting.

 

         J.  Scott Preseau agrees with Dale that the site plan needs to be complete.  He

              understands that it is a long process, but can’t believe there is no schedule of

              completion.  He suggests to table it until the site plan is complete with setbacks and

              measurements.

 

         K.  Mr. Christensen said he would like to build a shed in the back that would hardly be

               seen from the road. 

 

         L.  Ben Ranger agrees with what Scott Preseau said.

 

         M.  Gery Giltinan suggested that maybe they could chunk this out in phases and work

                separate time frames for completion.

 

         N.  Vernon Curtis stated we need to see dimensions, signage, lighting, and he would

               like to see a barrier between the sales and the operation of the large machinery for

               the safety of the customers and especially any small children

 

         O.  Lee Garner addressed the problem with the piles of concrete.  Mr. Christensen

               stated that there will be nothing outside of the bins once the piles are gone.

  

         P.  Moved by Preseau, seconded by Garner to table action on this until we get a proper

              site plan covering the abovementioned issues.

                                         

Item 2.  Moved by Curtis, seconded by Preseau to adjourn.

 

Lee Garner, Secretary

Vienna Township Planning Commission

 

          LG:bw

 

 

 

****  NOTICE: The next meeting will be held on Monday, July 23, 2001, at

                           5:30 P. M. with Vilican & Leman and the regular meeting at

                           7:30 . M.