Public hearing for Cell Tower Ordinance changes was called to order by Chairperson Dick Slee.
Present: Slee, Kyler, Hall, Martinez, Baker, Slucter
Absent: Blair
Also present: Jim Foulds & Vern Fountain of AGS

Vern reviewed the changes for the cell tower ordinance and why.

Discussion held on the separation distance. Eaton County is 5 miles per John Hall. Kern Slucter stated that we need to accommodate the future with I-69, I-96 & M-99 going through the township.

There were no public comments.

Public hearing closed at 7:08 PM.

Slee convened the regular meeting.

No public comments.

Minutes of previous meeting were approved.

Heard report from township board.

CELL TOWER ORDINANCE CHANGES:

Baker asked what the difference between 1 or 2 or 5 miles. The reception of the phone calls is affected by distance between towers. Slucter stated that you need to remember that there are no lines or poles so the separation and height determine the clarity of the calls.

Bryce Kelly of MIOP explained the use of more modules and handing off of calls from tower to tower. With more cars and phones less tower space available to each. As an area becomes more developed you need more towers.

John Hall referred to the ordinance about taller towers under administrative review. He stated that Eaton County requires the requester to do a professional study for the need of the tower.

Slucter feels that we need to move on these changes and look in the future if we want to add studies to the ordinance. Most members agreed on this matter.

Jenifer Crosby of SBA does not agree that towers need to be closer as signals will go 2-5 miles. But in more populated areas they do have less coverage but these areas usually have more towers but shorter ones.

Slucter moved and Baker seconded to recommend to the township board the adoption of changes in the cellular tower ordinance as printed. Carried 5-1.

LANGE REZONING REQUEST:

Hall moved and Arnoldo seconded to remove the Lange rezoning from the table per the reques of the potential buyer. Carried unanimously.

Dave Haywood stated that they have been meeting with township representatives and village [of Dimondale] and Board of Water & Light and they are looking at sewer and water being available in about 14 months. But before they sign for this they need the rezoning for the project. They will not be filling or building in the flood plains areas.

The site plan is conceptual and this is a rezoning not a site plan review. They have not done the topographical studies at this time.

Discussion held on the restrictive convenant that Mr. Lange is willing to sign which will stay with the land. This is stating that this land would not ever be used as a mobile home park.

The number of units in the development will depend upon how much of the land they can use and how many units make it an economical project. The master plan shows this as senior housing and at this time there is not a need for it in the community or the business around that area to make it a good site. Maybe in 5-10 years but not now.

They have not met with ECRC [Eaton County Road Commission] for what they will need to do for entrances, etc.

Supervisor in the audience stated that sewer and water is very viable and the draft agreements are being drawn up. There is a large amount of money already in escrow towards these projects.

Martinez asked if the convenant would be signed and filed with the county when the rezoning takes place? Mr. Lange was not there so could not give a definite answer. Mr. Haywood stated that the senior housing would need R1M zoning.

Mr. Howard Reenders, potential buyer, stated that no one would pay the asking price for that land to make it into a mobile home park.

Foulds reported that the use would not be inconsistent with the [Master] plan and therefore not be a negative precedent. When rezoned it would be fair game for any uses in the zoning. Looks as if the township board has worked on the infrastructure with them. Would be good for them to start traffic studies.

Foulds also stated that the ordinance does not clearly state density range and maximum numbers in the area so the planning commission might want to look into this in the future. He will meet with the [Township] Supervisor to discuss the density question.

He can support the application at this time.

Martinez moved and Hall seconded to recommend to the township board to rezone the property owned by Dorian Lange on the east side of Creyts Road from R1B to R1M. Carried unanimously.

MIOP CELL TOWER SPECIAL USE PERMIT:

Bryce Kelly introduced Robert Perry who explained that AT&T has asked them to locate a spot for a tower in this area. The land they are looking at is owned by Mr. & Mrs. King on Dimondale Hwy. Cricket has also approached them about co-locating on this tower. They will have room for more co-locators.

Pete Preston stated they are looking at a 240' lattice tower that would be fenced and gated with landscaping and 950' from any homes. It is a collapsing tower. They are 1,200' from one side lot but closer on the east but that borders the cemetery. The only tower within 2 miles is the radio tower on Bishop Hwy, which can not be used as a co-locator.

When asked why over 200' they stated that is what AT&T needs to meet their system on M-99 corridor.

Slucter moved and Hall seconded to set the public hearing for the cell tower application for MIOP for July 18, 2001 at 7:00 PM. Carried unanimously.

* meeting is being changed [from second Wednesday of month] so that township attorney will be able to attend the planning commission July meeting.

SBA CELL TOWER SPECIAL USE PERMIT:

Jenifer Crosby and Bill Blood presented their application for a cell tower on property owned by Mr. & Mrs. Marsh on Holt Hwy. They are asking for a 250' monopole tower, which would house a minimum of 5 carriers.

The setbacks would be 80' and it is a self-collapsing tower. They are planning on Cricket co-locating on this tower. Jenifer stated that Cricket was suppose to be present at this meeting and not sure what happened to them.

They would drop their tower to 199' if needed. They are up for review for a tower in Eaton Rapids Township in July.

Slucter moved and Martinez seconded to set the public hearing for the application from SBA for the Marsh property for July 18, 2001 - 2nd hearing of the evening. Carried unanimously.

Discussed changes in the proposed PUD ordinance.

Kyler moved and Baker seconded to have one meeting only in July and make it July 18, 2001 so that our attorney can be present. Carried unanimously.

With no further business Martinez moved and Hall second to adjourn the meeting. Carried unanimously. Adjourned at 9:10 PM.

Linda Towsley, Clerk