Public Hearing for Crystal Woods (owned by DMG) was called to order by Chairperson Inge Kyler.
Present: Kyler, Martinez, Blair, Hall, Kubicek, Burnett, Slucter
Absent: none
Also present: Jim Foulds & Vern Fountain, Community Planning [Services].

A moment of silence was held [to remember the 9/11 victims].

CRYSTAL WOODS/DMG OWNERS REZONING:

Kyler shared that the property to be rezoned is north of I-96 and at the end of Bridgeport/west of Waverly Road. They are requesting the property be changed from R1B to R1D. The zoning to the north is R1D, which they also own. This site is 38 acres and they are planning on 73 lots with the new zoning, if approved. There will be detention area in the SW corner and open spaces. The report from Community Planning [Services] was reviewed.

Jim Foulds stated that the change of zoning only changes the intensity of the development not the site/plat/etc. R1B single family homes require 15,000 sq. ft. and R1D is 10,000 sq. ft. for single family [units] and 12,000 for two family [units]. This request is for the size of the lots. It does conform to the land use and amended land use plan.

Mark Mohrenweiser and Adbullah Muhammad were present for this request. Mohrenweiser stated that one year ago they came to the Planning Commission and went back to the drawing table to address the concerns of the commission and the residents. They have a strong plan for the 110 acres (15.6 in the City of Lansing) but they currently have 3 zonings (R1B/R1D/R1M) in the township. They are not in favor of multiple housing. They are planning on consistent units through the entire project, which is better for all. They now have access to Waverly Road as they purchased a home at the end of Miller Road that attaches to their project. Bridgeport and Little York will also provide access but hope to shift traffic to the new road. The plan is for 70' lots/single family homes and that is consistent with the master [land use] plan.

Hall stated that single family homes can be built in all 4 zonings (Twp & City) and asked if still trying to obtain an easement from the church. Yes

Blair asked if they would be willing to change the R1B zoning to single family zoning? They stated no reason as they plan to stay consistent with the entire project.

Hall stated if all same zoning it would be very consistent with some 66' lots but mostly 70' lots.

Sue Butler, 7188 Williams Road asked how much development could take place with the county drain? The current Concord Village has no stormwater system and they will be required by DEQ to have one. They can not fill the drains, they will maintain detention area and current drain will stay. The drain commissioner has started or will start to clean out this drain. They have not calculated how many acres will be usable.

Perry Causley, 4125 Bridgeport verified that single family homes and two family homes can be built in R1D zoning only. Yes

Sylvia Garland, 4100 Bridgeport expressed concern over the traffic and asked when the new section beyond Miller Road would be open. They stated probably before the construction of homes. ECRC has stated that Bridgeport and Little York must be extended into the new development.

Sue Butler, 7188 Williams Road stated that the zoning to the north is compatible but to the west is agricultural, so good reason to keep at R1B.

Michael Taylor, 4212 Bridgeport would rather see the lot sizes increased and would like that to be considered.

James Cole, 6020 Little York Drive asked for sizes of the homes. They stated they would be 2,000 - 2,200 sq. ft. as most would be two stories. All zoning being the same is not the object. Was stated that this is a multiple step process of zoning/site plans/etc.

Sandy Weekes, 7137 Williams Road stated that she has a pond and stream in her yard now which flows. Where is the green space? They stated that they can not impact their neighbors property with water. There are several neighborhood play areas and they plan on paths and sidewalks.

Martinez asked what size the play areas would be and how large is the wetland? They will be 1/2 to 3/4 of an area. The wetland is approximately 1 1/2 acres. They will look at possible signage and building an area to attract wildlife.

Jane Kandler, 7378 Williams Road asked how many rezonings the commission approves/denies? She stated she wants to see low density and keep the rural look. This zoning is not consistent with zoning to the west. Also stated she just received a bill for drain cleaning.

Sharon Mathaus, 4047 Truxton asked if space is available for water and sewer? They are working on.

Sylvia Garland, 4100 Bridgeport asked if they have contacted Lansing? They are working with them.

Kyler stated that a letter had been received from Jacqueline Wood asking that the change in zoning not be granted.

Closed public hearing at 7:44 PM.

Regular meeting was convened.

No public comments.

Minutes approved as amended.

Reports will be moved to October meeting due to full agenda.

CRYSTAL WOODS REZONING:

Blair reported that the drain commissioner was at the township board meeting the night before [on] another matter but expressed concern about Concord Village area. Discussion included retention areas and drains.

Slucter stated that the drain in that area has been a problem for many years. He also stated that many of the concerns of the people fall into the site plan review rather than zoning issue. Perhaps an independent study of the drain area is needed. In regards to duplexes, not many are being built today as not good use of money. He asked to review the legal description in the application.

Hall stated that the R1D is suburban residential with sewer/streets/water and this would conform to future [land use] plan. Who would own the open spaces? Owner association. Who would own the dedicated wetland? Owners association but DEQ would control what can and can not be done in it. Spraying is not allowed in wetland.

Martinez reaffirmed that this is zoning request and not site plan. Sewer and drainage are concerns. The developer must have open space and he is concerned over mosquitoes and that wetlands are not good for people.

Kubicek stated concern over any changes in the wetlands but water needs to move. They are working with a firm in this area. They do not have any formal wetland assessment at this time.

Blair asked if figured how many homes would go in R1B? How much land for road? No, but the road would be 80' long with 50' right of way and 130' is what they have.

Martinez moved and Burnett seconded to table the rezoning request until further study is done for October meeting.
Discussion: Hall asked what issues: more specifics on the drains, green space would be in site plan, current zoning would be about 50 plus homes. Kubicek stated that doing nothing could lead to apartments at the north end. Slucter stated that difference is about 20 lots. Can not change top parcel as legal description tells what area they are requesting to change. As far as a study, to do What? When? Who?
Martinez withdrew his motion and Burnett agreed.

Hall moved and Slucter seconded to recommend to the township board to approve the rezoning request for Crystal Woods (DMG) from R1B to R1D. Carried 5-2 (nays: Martinez & Burnett).

Discussed the northern parcel and rezoning it to R1D rather than R1M. The Township Board could proceed with this rezoning.

Slucter moved and Kubicek seconded to recommend to the Township Board to initiate to rezone to R1D the northern most portion owned by DMG, currently R1M, so that it is consistent with the two parcels which [will] have R1D zoning. Carried unanimously.

MIGALDI SITE PLAN REVIEW:

John Peckham of Martin Associates was speaking for the Migaldi's. This parcel is located on SW corner of Creyts/Lansing Road. In January they came with a conceptual plan to inform the commission. They are not sure who will come to the project so some questions can not be answered until they know.

In regards to the Planners questions:
a. Yes to sidewalks as they develop the parcels.
b. Roads: access per MDOT and ECRC; waiting for written approvals.
c. Utilities: easements/ECRC/Board of Water & Light/ECD/Windsor/Dimondale Sewer
d. No federal requirements
e. Signage not on plan; had 3 pages of changes from ECRC; [Creyts access] road [in] wrong place, are changing [site plans]
f. Seal needed on prints: they know
g. Completion date is unknown. They plan to do in 3 phases
h. No health department
i. Working with Drain Commissioner on discharge problem. There will be no more water than now with site having an outlet.
j. Work with public safety as each area develops.
k. Site Plans will be specific
l. Traffic study will be done but it will be assumptions as not sure of uses.

They are allowed 15-18 land splits through the land division [act] so they will use those first and then plat. Deeds will show site condos, plat, none of the above. They will have deed restrictions for development and 2 easements, not 5.

Slucter asked about the Haywood and O'Keefe property and approvals. One will be in the project and one will not. The Delta [Township] rezoning on Haywood will be done shortly. The site plan is incomplete at this time and they will send all updates at one time.

Slucter moved and Martinez seconded to table the Migaldi Site Plan Review until all of the material has been collected and presented. Carried unanimously.

A 3 minute recess was taken.

LANGE SITE PLAN REVIEW:

This plan is for the East Side of Creyts Road. John Peckam of Martin Associates made the presentation for Dorian Lange. They are proposing multiple family housing. They will take advantage of the topography of the land. There are 10-15 acres and they will use 12 for housing. They will have single family condos, first, in the $225,000 - $250,000 [price] range. There will be at least 3 phases and could take up to 10 years to develop.

Hall asked about the pathway to Woldumar [Nature Center]. There are steep banks but there is a possibility of river trails. They are planning on a clubhouse. They have increased the number of units as the cost of sewer, water and roads have gone up. At some time Haywood's group might be involved with part of the land.

Martinez asked about the roads. They will do, as progressing.

Blair stated that Creyts Road would be closing for the sewer lines to be installed in the near future. In the development, the south [section of Creyts] road will stay where located but the north road could be moved to keep with the topography.

Hall asked about the height of apartments: possible 2 1/2 to 3 stories.

RIVER RUN #2 FINAL PRELIMINARY PLAT APPROVAL:

Dan McCabe presented the plan with one change since preliminary plat approval. The change was made by the ECRC. They will have sidewalks on both sides and river access to the development.

Slucter moved and Martinez seconded to recommend to the Township Board to grant Final Preliminary Plat approval for River Run #2. Carried unanimously.

ENFORCEMENT OFFICER:

Blair reported that the board would like to know more about how the officer would work and how fines could be collected. They need to know how many hours, etc.

OCTOBER MEETING:

Discuss the letter from the Village of Dimondale Planning Commission.

With no further business Martinez moved and Kubicek second to adjourn the meeting. Carried unanimously. Adjourned at 9:27 PM.

Linda Towsley, Clerk