Meeting was called to order by Chairperson Richard Slee.
Present: Slee, Kyler, Blair, Hall, Baker, Martinez, Slucter
Absent: none
Also present: Jim Foulds, Vern Fountain

Minutes of November 8 and November 21 were read and approved.

Blair gave update from Board of Trustees.

KAMPHUIS REZONING REQUEST:

Kyler moved and Martinez seconded to remove Kamphuis rezoning request from the table. Carried unanimously.

Dennis Forsberg, representing Dan Kamphuis, who was present, described what they were proposing for this area and why they needed rezoning. (B-1 to M-1) This land is located on the corner of Billwood and Canal. He described that this parcel has clear vision off of two roads (Canal & Billwood). He explained that Kamphuis still plans on developing the manufacturing home park so they will buffer on the east side. They are also planning on large detention pond. Mr. Forsberg is working with the Capital Choice and there are about 30 companies looking for a place to develop. Discussion held on how buildings would be done without the interior roads being done first. This area will be done as a Condominium type development. They have four plans for how the land might be split. The water would be coming from Delta.

Hall moved and Martinez seconded to set the public hearing for the Kamphuis rezoning request from B-1 [Limited Business] to M-1 [Light Industrial] for Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at 7:00 P.M. Carried unanimously.

LANGE REZONING REQUEST:

Dorian Lange introduced David Haywood who presented the proposed use and reason for the request to change the zoning from R-1B to R-1M on the east side of Creyts Road. They still need to [perform] the topographical study so the drawing [presented at the meeting] is more than could ever be developed. The land use plan shows this as a Senior Citizen area. The company that is looking to purchase this parcel has developed places like Great Lakes Retirement Home in Delhi Twp. They are looking more at apartments to start for this parcel but could possibly do Senior housing in another phase. The first phase will be back by the river and each unit will have a garage. They have done the wetland study and there is wetland and floodplains, which will not be developed. The enviroment study has not found any concerns. This area is adaptable for developing and close to the where the action is. They will be doing a market and appraisal studies. There will be a community building with pool and recreational activities. They have no plans to come in and bulldoze the land down. Discussed the fact that Woldumar [Nature Center] is interested in some of the land. They will work with them on possible nature paths.

Martinez moved and Hall seconded to set the public hearing for the rezoning of the land on the east side of Creyts Road from R-1B [One-Family Low Density Residential] to R-1M [Multiple Family Residential] for Wednesday, January 10, 2001 at the close of the first hearing. Carried unanimously.

CANADIAN NATIONAL REZONING REQUEST:

John McGuire and Andy Gonta representing the railroad showed what land they have acquired (375 acres) in the northwest corner of the township and what they propose to do. The request is from A-1 to M-1. They will be adding one additional track and four short tracks. This rail will go up to the new [General Motors] plant in Delta Charter Township. There will be about 25 empty and 25 full cars per day. There will be a small building and parking for about 10 cars. Oak Highway will be vacated [closed] at this end. The lot will stay stone with no additional paving. In regards to why they purchased so many acres, people would not sell just portions of their land. They will only be hauling parts at this time. Ed Wardell of Hart Hwy asked why they could not just rezone the areas that CN needed. Supervisor [Art St. Clair], present in the audience, stated that this land would have just three descriptions for the year 2001. Kyler asked about leaving some green space? They will take that back to the officials. They also stated that the land would be leased for Agriculture in 2001.

Slucter moved and Kyler seconded to set the public hearing for the CN request for rezoning from A-1 [Agricultural] to M-1 [Light Industrial] for Thursday, January 11, 2001 at 7:00 PM. Carried unanimously.

PETER SCHULTZ REZONING:

Mr. Schultz is requesting that the property located on Michigan Road near Country Creek be rezoned from B-1 to M-1 for his transmission business. He currently is leasing a building in Delhi Charter Township and would like to move to his own building. The building on the land currently is not being used but was an auto body shop. There are no bathrooms or water on the site but he has the information needed from the county health department to take care of both.

Slucter moved and Baker seconded to set the public hearing for the Schultz rezoning request on Michigan Road from B-1 [Limited Business] to M-1 [Light Industrial] for Thursday, January 11, 2001 at the close of the first hearing. Carried unanimously.

ZONING CHANGES:

The changes for Bed & Breakfast will be discussed at a work session meeting in the future. Jim [Foulds] handed out drafts on PUDs and described how they would work. A list of changes needed in current ordinances, when the new sign and site plan review ordinances are adopted, was shared.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Clerk shared information on proposed changes in legislation in regards to co-ordinated planning act.

Hall shared update on I-69 Corridor Workgroup.

Slucter shared information on Tri-County Committee.

With no further business Blair moved and Baker second to adjourn the meeting. Carried unanimously. Adjourned at 8:40 PM.

Linda Towsley, Clerk