Minutes of the regular meeting of the Georgetown Township Planning Commission, held Wednesday, February 6, 2008

 

Meeting called to order by Chairman Honderd at 7:30 p.m.

 

Present:            Honderd, South, DeGood, Stasiak, Huizinga, Poskey, Pearson

Absent: none

 

#080206-01 - Agenda for February 6, 2008

 

Moved by Stasiak, seconded Pearson, to approve the agenda for February 6, 2008 as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#080206-02 - Minutes of the December 19, 2007 regular meeting 

 

Moved by South, seconded by Stasiak, to approve the minutes of the December 19, 2007 regular meeting, as submitted.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#080206-03 - (PUD801) Meijer (Lake Michigan Credit Union), 2929 Walker Ave. Grand Rapids, is

requesting a Planned Unit Development for a drive-in establishment (credit union) under Chapter 22, on a parcel of land described as P.P. # 70-14-13-300-075, located at 550 Baldwin, Georgetown Township, Ottawa County, Michigan. (application, narrative, entry elevation, front elevation, dumpster enclosure, landscape plan, overall plan, site plan 2, site plan 3)

 

Cheryl Scales, Progressive AE, and Leo Vicari, Lake Michigan Credit Union, represented the applicant and presented the request.

 

The zoning administrator presented a review as follows.

 

NOTE

 

As per direction given by the Planning Commission for publishing public notices for a public hearing, the decision has been made to hold a work session at the February 6, 2008 Planning Commission meeting because the Planning Commission will have to take formal action to accept some aspects of the proposal that require a waiver of the strict district regulations (which is allowed in a PUD since it is flexible zoning).  The public hearing could be held on March 5, 2008 after the notice is published on February 12, 2008.  This will give the applicant time to make any revisions (if necessary) prior to the public hearing.

 

REQUEST

 

The request is to revise the previously approved 3.312 acre PUD to add 2.377 acres in order to develop a portion of the Meijer property as a separate site for a 3,600 square foot drive-in credit union.  For the development to be approved including the splitting of the property from the overall parcel, the credit union site is required to have frontage on a public or private street, as per Sec. 2.55 and 3.19 of the Georgetown Township Zoning Ordinance.  The credit union could not be developed on the open space directly south of the private street entrance off Cottonwood (to meet the frontage requirement using Cottonwood as the frontage street) because that area is designated as open space for the existing PUD.  The credit union could, however, be developed on property (on the Meijer parcel) adjacent to the private street that was established for the Culvers PUD in order to have frontage on the private street.

 

In order for PUD approval to be granted, the proposed credit union site must meet all the requirements of Chapter 22 for the PUD and Chapter 24 for the parcel split.  In addition, the remainder parcel (the Meijer site) must meet all the ordinance requirements for size, setbacks, parking, etc in order for a parcel split to be approved.

 

HISTORY

 

On October 1, 2003 the Planning Commission recommended approval for the preliminary development plan for the PUD for Culvers and Pages in Time, and approved the final development plan for Culvers contingent upon Township Board approval for the preliminary development plan.  On October 13, 2003, the Township Board approved the preliminary development plan for the PUD for the Culvers restaurant and Pages in Time Strip Center.  The approval included the establishment of a private street with access from Cottonwood to provide street frontage for the Culvers parcel and the Pages in Time Strip Center.  On July 21, 2004, a final development plan was approved for the Pages in Time Strip Center.  The review and approval for the PUD included various improvements to the overall Meijer site in regards to traffic circulation, landscaping and sidewalks.  Both sites have been constructed in compliance with the approved plans.

 

On August 17, 2005, the Planning Commission recommended approval for a special use permit for a vehicle wash establishment for Wizard Wash and approved the site plan.  On August 22, 2005, the Township Board approved the special use permit.  The car wash is located on the Meijer site and no split was approved for the development; however, the use is considered to be part of the principle use of the overall Meijer site and no land split was necessary for the development.  The overall review and approval included site improvements relating to landscaping and sidewalks.  The car wash has been constructed according to the approved plan and the landscaping and sidewalks were added along Cottonwood.

 

On December 7, 2005, the Planning Commission recommended approval of a special use permit for a drive-in establishment for the pharmacy pick-up window and a special use permit for an open air business for the outdoor garden center.  The Planning Commission also approved a site plan (after much deliberation) regarding the traffic flow for the pharmacy.  On December 12, 2005, the Township Board approved the two special use permits.  There were subsequent requests by Meijer for revised site plan approval to reverse the pharmacy traffic flow and an appeal to the ZBA to reverse the traffic flow.  However, the site design (though still not an ideal situation) was left as initially approved because it appeared to the Planning Commission and ZBA to be the best of the available options.  Again, various site improvements for overall traffic flow were included in the review and approval, along with cleaning up the confusing intersection at northeast corner of the building.  The construction has been completed according to the approved plan.

 

The Township has been contacted regarding the development of the open space to the south of the entrance drive to the PUD; however, that area has been designated as the open space for the PUD and could not be developed unless the open space was provided elsewhere on the site.

 

As per Township records, four parcel splits have occurred between 1997 and 2007 for the Meijer parent parcel.  According to the Land Division Act for a 27-acre parcel, four splits are allowed for the first whole ten acres and one more split is allowed for each additional whole ten acres.  Therefore, since a total of five splits are allowed, the Meijer parent parcel could be split one more time.  According to records, the first split during this ten-year period occurred in 2003.  These parcels would become parent parcels ten years from the splits and would be eligible for more splits (after this one) in 2013.

 

Therefore, according to the requirements of the Land Division Act, the Meijer parcel would be allowed one more land split.  Multiple sites have already been split from the original Meijer site, including for the Fazoli’s restaurant, the Fifth Third Bank, and for the Culvers and Pages in Time PUD site.  The Meijer site does not meet the ordinance requirement for lot width on Baldwin due to the previous splits, plus due to the Advance Auto site and the Macatawa Bank site.  The only frontage the Meijer parcel has on Baldwin includes the three entrance driveways and none of them meet the ordinance minimum of 85 feet in a CS zoning district. The Meijer site has adequate frontage along Cottonwood to meet the requirements of Chapter 24.

 

SUMMARY

 

1.      Remove the note “FORTH COMING” from the Advanced Auto parcel on the overall site plan because the building is complete.

2.      The applicants were asked if they want to request final development approval at the same time (contingent upon Board approval) if there would be no change from the preliminary plan to the final development plan.  However, the applicants have not submitted the application for a Final Develop approval.  The only approval sought at this time is for a preliminary PUD development plan.

3.      The plan as proposed would result in the Meijer parcel complying district requirements as follows:

  1. The lot width is greater than 85 feet on Cottonwood (in order to count the frontage on the private street the Meijer parcel would have to become part of the PUD). 
  2. The overall lot size is greater than 11,050 square feet.
  3. Parking requirements are still met.  Calculations are as follows: 215,156 square feet (gross floor area) divided by 200 (as per Chapter 26 parking requirements for retail) equals 1,076 parking spaces required and 1,091 are currently provided.  The credit union development would reduce the number of provided spaces by 104 resulting in a total number of provided spaces of 987 spaces.  This is a reduction of 8.27%.  Sec. 26.9(K) gives the Planning Commission the authority to reduce the number of parking space by up to 25% provided the parking needs are met and the intention is for more green space to be provided.  It appears as though the Meijer parking lot is never filled to capacity (other than possibly the day after Thanksgiving or possibly the few days before Christmas).  In addition, the PUD is providing additional greenspace and landscaping in an area that was previously parking lot.

4.      Traffic circulation is an important element of the PUD.  The ordinance states: “The PUD must provide for safe and efficient vehicular movements within, into and off of the PUD site.  In addition, the PUD should integrate traffic calming techniques, along with suitable parking lot landscape islands and other similar techniques to improve parking lot aesthetics, storm water management, traffic flow and vehicular/pedestrian safety.”  Traffic circulation for the overall site will be impacted by the development and should be shown on the overall site.  When the Culvers site was developed, the applicant insisted that customers would access the site from Cottonwood, even though the Township had a belief that people would access the site from the entrances off Baldwin.  Now that the restaurant and strip center have been in existence for a few years, it has become evident that traffic does, indeed, access the sites from the entrances off Baldwin to the west since people living to the west of the development (which is a majority of the residents of Georgetown Township) come from the west.  Due to this fact, it is likely that Credit Union customers will also access the site from west entrances off Baldwin and circulation enhancing elements should be shown from that area including: 

a.      The drive area to the west of the Meijer building has been defined for customers coming from the west with some curbing, striping and signage.  Is the triangle at the southwest corner a curbed area or merely striped?  The Planning Commission should determine if what is proposed in this area is acceptable.  Should landscaping be provided in the curbed islands along the western drive to the south?  Should the island to the south of the drive from Baldwin be curbed?

b.      Signs have been added by the Tudor Time directing through traffic to make the turn from the north to the east (so that people don’t continue into the Tudor Time driveway thinking that is the drive to the credit union or other sites to the east).  The Planning Commission should determine if what is proposed in this area is acceptable. 

c.       Striping is shown on the east side of the Meijer building to define a 30 foot drive area between the curbing for the credit union and the fencing for the garden center in front of the Meijer building.  The Planning Commission should determine if what is proposed in this area is acceptable. 

d.      It is noted that the striping is to be removed for parking spaces in the area where the curbing for the credit union cuts into the parking bank to eliminate confusion.

e.       The aisle dimension from the curbing for the credit union to the bank of parking spaces to the north is shown as 25 feet which meets the minimum 24 feet aisle width for two-way traffic.

f.        A suggestion was made to the applicants to eliminate one of the drive-up kiosks in order to create a drive aisle for those vehicles entering from the west wanting to drive around the drive-up area or for vehicles that do not stay queued in a drive-in lane.  However, the applicants preferred to keep all the drive-up areas.  A 12 foot by-pass lane has been shown.  The Planning Commission should determine if what is proposed in this area is acceptable. 

g.       “DO NOT ENTER” signs were added to the southeast corner of the building to prevent vehicles from entering and driving head-on into traffic exiting the drive-in lanes.  As currently proposed there is no drive aisle for cars heading to the west on the south side of the building.  If cars are not queued up at the drive-in area, vehicles would be able to travel to the southwest from the north side of the credit union and exit the site from the western drive (people who would be headed back to the west could choose to exit to the west and exit onto Baldwin via the drive by Tudor Time).  Could the drive-in teller areas be moved to the east to free up the area by the western drive?  The Planning Commission should determine if what is proposed in this area is acceptable. 

h.       Is the striped area at the end of the bank of parking spaces to the north of the credit union (creating an aisle way) curbed?  Should it be curbed?

5.      Site plan elements should be addressed as follows:

  1. The Planning Commission will have to determine if the front yard setbacks of 15 feet along both of the yards that abut the private street are acceptable.  Footnote (l) states that except for necessary drives and walks, the front yard shall be landscaped and not used for parking, loading or accessory structures.  Since this is a PUD with flexible zoning, the Planning Commission has the authority to waive the strict district requirements if the determination is made that it is necessary for the development in order to accomplish the objectives of the PUD ordinance.  It appears as though the setbacks along the private street would be acceptable since a large amount of greenspace is already being provided along Cottonwood.  This PUD revision would ensure that the greenspace is not development.  Notations regarding the perpetuity of the greenspace MUST be added to the PUD agreement at the time the final development plan is submitted.  The Planning Commission should also determine if the 30 foot buffer between the credit union curbing and the front of the Meijer garden center is acceptable since this area could be determined to be a front yard for Meijer and should be landscaped except for necessary drives and walks.

b.      Sign details (size, height, dimensions to location) should be provided.  A sign is proposed to be located in the greenspace for the PUD.  The Planning Commission should determine if this is acceptable.  Details should be provided for this sign and any other proposed.  If what is proposed does not meet the ordinance, complete details should be provided so that the Planning Commission could determine if it is acceptable for the PUD.  Directional signs are noted on the plan.  Sec. 25/4(f) states that directional shall have no advertising matter.  If any advertising matter is proposed or the signs are not proposed to meet the ordinance in any way, details should be provided.  A note about lighting states it would be downward directing.

c.       Lot frontage dimensions and landscaping calculations have been provided and meet the ordinance.  The trees shown in the open space for the PUD are not the same as what currently exits.  The plan should be revised to shown existing trees in this open space area.  Is more landscaping proposed to be added to the greenspace and the grassed area repaired?

d.      Height and materials of the dumpster enclosure are noted.  The height is proposed to be 7’4’’ which does not meet the ordinance requirement of a maximum of 6 feet.  The Planning Commission will have to determine if that is acceptable since flexible zoning is allowed for a PUD.

e.       A Storm Water Drain permit is needed at the time a Building Permit application is submitted.

f.        A note was added to the plan indicating the site is not affected by a floodplain.

6.      A narrative was submitted describing the following:

  1. The objectives of the PUD and how it relates to the Intent of the PUD District, as described in Section 22.1.
  2. There is to be one phase.
  3. Proposed deed restrictions, covenants, or similar legal instruments to be used within the PUD are noted to be provided at the time they are completed.

 

7.      The Planning Commission should determine the following:

a.       Is the pedestrian walkway requirement is met by the sidewalk that was provided connecting Cottonwood to the credit union.

b.      If the architectural renderings are acceptable.

c.       If the traffic elements are acceptable.

d.      If the architectural designs are compatible with the existing PUD.

e.       If the 15 foot front yard setbacks are acceptable.

f.        Height and materials of the dumpster enclosure are noted.  The height is proposed to be 7’4’’ which does not meet the ordinance requirement of a maximum of 6 feet.  The Planning Commission will have to determine if that is acceptable since flexible zoning is allowed for a PUD.

g.       A sign is proposed to be located in the greenspace for the PUD.  The Planning Commission should determine if this is acceptable.  Details should be provided for this sign and any other proposed.

8.      What is the building height?

9.      Proposed deed restrictions, covenants, or similar legal instruments to be used within the PUD should be provided.

 

Details for the review are provided as follows:

 

I D number

PUD0801

 

 

 

Date

1-23-08

 

 

Name

Meijer/Lake Michigan Credit Union

 

 

 

 

 

Address

550 Baldwin St.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use

Drive-in financial establishment

 

SUP required

N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REQUIREMENT

 

 

 

 

 

PROVIDED

 Needs or Comments

Date, north arrow, scale

 

 

 

 

X

 

Name, address of preparer

 

 

 

 

X

 

Name, address of property owner or petitioner

 

 

X

 

Location sketch

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Legal description

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Size in acres of the property

 

 

 

 

X

 

Property lines and required setbacks shown and dimensioned

 

 X

 

Location of existing structures, drives, parking areas within 100 ft of boundary

X

 

Location and dimensions of existing and proposed structures

 

X

 

Location of existing and proposed drives (dimensions and radii), circulation

X

 

Sidewalks, non-motorized paths-select streets, accel, decel lanes

 

 

 

 

X

 

Signs, exterior lighting

 

 

 

 

 

 

X

Curbing, parking areas, dimensions of typical space, number of parking spaces

X

 

Calculations of parking spaces, unloading areas

 

 

 X

f.

Location, pavement width, ROW of all abutting roads, easements

 

X

 

Existing zoning, and zoning and use of abutting property

 

 

X

 

Location of existing vegetation- parkway association

 

 

 

 

X

 

Location, type, size of proposed landscaping, streetscape, greenbelt

X

 

Location, height, type of existing and proposed fences and walls

 

 X

 

Size, location of proposed, existing utilities, connections to water/sewer

X

 

Location, size of surface water drainage facilities

 

 

X

X

Existing, proposed topo contours, max 5 ft intervals

 

 

X

 

Rec/common areas, floodplain areas

 

 

 

X

 

Special Use Standards, general and specific

 

 

 

 

NA

 

Sec. 22.2       QUALIFYING CONDITIONS.. 

Any development that fails to meet the following qualifying conditions, at a minimum, shall not be considered for the PUD District:

 

A.                 Acreage Requirement: The PUD site shall be not less than ten (10) acres of fully contiguous property not separated by a public road, railroad, or other such associated feature or barrier.  If the PUD is to contain a mixture of residential and non-residential uses, the minimum required area shall be twenty (20) acres.  The Planning Commission and Township Board may consider a PUD on lesser acreage if it is clear that the proposed PUD substantially provides for the intent of a PUD as stated in this Chapter.  In addition, the Planning Commission and Township Board may use the same intent section of the Zoning Ordinance when considering a PUD with property that may be separated by a public road, railroad, or other such associated feature or barrier.  It would be up to the applicant to prove why, for example, a physical barrier (road or railroad) separating the acreage would not restrict the applicant’s ability to develop a cohesive PUD.

 

Met.  The previous PUD was approved with a lesser amount of acreage and the addition to the PUD site will only increase the total acreage.  It appears as though this standard would be met since the Planning Commission and Township Board previously approved the PUD with a lesser amount of acreage.  Further, the addition of the previously designated green space to the PUD will ensure that it remains green space.   

 

B.                 Utilities:  All PUD's shall be served by public water and sanitary sewer facilities.  Stormwater must be coordinated with the county drain commission.

 

Met.  According to the Township DPW Department, it would be possible for this site to be serviced by water and sewer.  The applicant would be required to obtain a Storm Water Drain Permit from the Ottawa County Drain Commissioner.

 

C.                    Land Ownership:  The PUD application must be filed by the landowner, jointly by the landowners, or by an agent.  If the application is filed by an agent(s) or other interested party, written approval from the landowner(s) must also be filed.

 

Met.  The application is signed by a representative from Meijer.

 

D.        Master Plan: The proposed uses of the PUD must be substantially consistent with Georgetown Township’s Master Plan for the subject property. 

 

Met.  The uses are consistent with the Master Plan since they would be allowed in the CS district.

 

E.         Pedestrian:  The PUD must provide for integrated, safe and abundant pedestrian access and movement within the PUD and to adjacent properties.  (In addition, the township has a stand alone ordinance covering certain sidewalk requirements)

 

Possibly met.  A walkway is provided connecting the sidewalk along Cottonwood to the site.  The Planning Commission will have to determine if more sidewalks are required. 

 

F.         Architecture: The PUD should provide for coordinated and innovative visually appealing architectural styles, building forms and building relationships.

 

MET.  Architectural renderings were provided.  The Planning Commission should decide if they are acceptable. 

 

G.        Traffic: The PUD must provide for safe and efficient vehicular movements within, into and off of the PUD site.  In addition, the PUD should integrate traffic calming techniques, along with suitable parking lot landscape islands and other similar techniques to improve parking lot aesthetics, storm water management, traffic flow and vehicular/pedestrian safety.

 

The Planning Commission will have to determine if the elements provided are acceptable   Traffic circulation for the overall site will be impacted by the development and is shown on the overall site.  When the Culvers site was developed, the applicant insisted that customers would access the site mostly from Cottonwood, even though the Township had a belief that people coming from the west (which is MOST of the Township) would access the site from the entrances off Baldwin.  Now that the restaurant has been in existence for a few years, it has become very evident that traffic coming from the west does, indeed, access the site from the entrances off Baldwin.  Due to this fact, it is safe to predict that Credit Union customers coming from the west will also access the site from entrances off Baldwin and circulation enhancing elements should be shown from that area including parking islands along the western property line to define the drive access (especially the curved area).  The outdoor garden area approved with an open air business special use permit has been shown on the plan.

 

H.        Open Space Requirements:

1.       The PUD development shall contain usable open space in an amount equal to at least twenty (20) percent of the total PUD site.  The Planning Commission may consider a PUD with a lesser amount of open space if it is clear that the proposed PUD substantially provides for the intent of a PUD as stated in this Chapter.  It is noted that open space is a very important element of a PUD and reductions to the open space provision should be granted only as a result of specific, clearly documented reasons (i.e. the PUD may located on a relatively small site in an area where a 20% open space provision would detract from building continuity, historic preservation efforts, etc.)

2.       Such open space to be considered usable shall not include required yards (required yards need to be individually determined for each PUD project) or buffers, parking areas, drives, rights-of-way, utility or road easements, storm water detention ponds, wetlands (unless determined to be useable by the Planning Commission due to the addition of interpretive boardwalks/walkways, etc. provided in and through the wetland) and structures (Unless the structures are part of the open space i.e. gazebos, etc.). 

3.      Such open space shall be permanently set aside for the sole benefit, use, and enjoyment of present and future occupants of the PUD through covenant, deed restriction, open space easement, or similar legal instrument acceptable to the Township; or, if agreed to by governmental agency, the open space may be conveyed to a governmental agency for the use of the general public.

 

Met.  Open space calculations have been provided.  The addition to the PUD of the green space area adjacent to Cottonwood ensures that this area will remain dedicated as open space.

Sec. 22.3       PERMITTED USES.. 

 

Any use permitted by right or special land use in any District may be approved within a PUD.

 

Met.

Sec. 22.4       PREAPPLICATION CONFERENCE.

 

A.A pre-application conference will be held with representatives from Georgetown Township for the purpose of exchanging information, providing guidance to the applicant and determining the eligibility of the request for consideration as a PUD.

 

B.A request for a pre-application conference shall be made to the Zoning Administrator.  As part of the pre-application conference, the applicant shall submit seven (7) copies of a conceptual plan, at least ten (10) days in advance of the pre-application conference, which shows the property location, boundaries, significant natural features, vehicular and pedestrian circulation, and land use(s) for the entire site.

 

C.The Township shall advise the applicant of the conformance of the PUD concept with the intent and objectives of a PUD in the Township, whether it appears to qualify under the minimum requirements of Section 22.2, and whether the general concept appears to be substantially consistent with the Township's Master Plan.  No formal action will be taken at a pre-application conference, nor will statements made at the pre-application conference be considered legally binding commitments.

 

Held.  The proposal as presented appears to be consistent with the Master Plan and appears to conform to the intentions and objectives in the PUD ordinance. 

 

The following information must be provided with the PUD application:

 

A.                 Preliminary Plan Application Requirements

Following the pre-application conference, applicants seeking approval of a PUD District shall submit a complete application for review to the Zoning Administrator.  When the Zoning Administrator determines the application to be complete, the PUD application will be sent to the Planning Commission for a workshop session, followed at a later date by a Planning Commission public hearing.  Such application shall include the following (unless determined by the Zoning Administrator or Planning Commission to be unnecessary):

 

1.                  A completed application form and ten (10) copies of a preliminary development plan shall be provided to the Zoning Administrator.  The preliminary plan shall contain the following site plan information:

 

a.                  The date, north arrow, and scale.  The scale shall be not less than 1”=20’ for property ten (10) acres and larger and at least 1”=200’ for those 20 acres (20) acres or more.

 

Provided.

 

b.                 The name and address of the firm responsible for the preparation of the site plan.

 

Provided.

 

c.                 The name and address of the property owner(s) and petitioner(s).

 

Provided.

 

d.                 Legal description of the PUD site.

 

Provided.

 

e.                  The size (in acres) of the PUD site.

 

Provided.

 

f.                   Property lines and proposed setbacks, shown and dimensioned.

 

Provided.

 

g.                 A location sketch.

 

Provided.

 

h.                 The location of all existing structures, driveways, and parking areas within 100’ of the PUD site’s boundaries.

 

Provided.

 

i.                    The location and dimensions of all existing structures on the PUD site.

 

Provided.

 

j.                    The location of all proposed structures on the PUD site.  Realizing that this is preliminary, dimensions are not necessary until final approval.

 

Provided.

 

k.                 The location and dimension of proposed lots or ownership divisions.

 

Provided.

 

l.                    The location, pavement width and right-of-way width of all abutting roads, streets, alleys or easements.

 

Provided.

 

m.               The existing zoning and use of all properties abutting and including the PUD site.

 

Provided.

 

n.                 The location of all existing vegetation and the general location of all proposed landscape areas, berms, landscape islands and buffers, including any fence or wall areas.

 

Provided.

 

o.                 The size and location of existing utilities, including a short narrative note on the site plan pertaining to the PUD’s proposed utility needs and concepts.

 

Provided.

 

p.                 The proposed location and estimated size(s) of all surface and subsurface water drainage facilities.

 

Provided.

 

q.                 Existing topographic contours at a maximum of five (5) foot intervals.  Conceptual topographic patterns for the PUD site shall also be provided, noting major earth moving and/or removal areas (realizing that each building receiving final PUD approval will be required to show actual topographic contours, both existing and proposed).

 

Provided.

 

r.                   Location, type and size of areas to be dedicated for common open space.

 

Provided.

 

s.                  Anticipated trash receptacle locations and method of screening.

 

Provided.

 

t.                   Proposed streets, alleys, curb cuts, acceleration/deceleration lanes, curbed areas, service drives and parking lot locations, including traffic calming concepts, driving surface widths as required by the Ottawa County Road Commission’s standards.

 

Provided.

 

u.                 Proposed pedestrian sidewalk movements both within and off the PUD site.  Sidewalks are required along all public roadways.

 

Provided.

 

v.                 Proposed lighting concepts/styles and general location areas.

 

Provided.

 

w.               Proposed architectural style/design concepts that will be incorporated into final approval plans, including both buildings and structures (i.e. - gateways, fence/wall concepts, art work, etc.).

 

Provided.

 

x.                 Proposed setbacks, lot widths, lot areas and building/structure heights.

 

Provided, except for building height.

 

y.                 Proposed uses to be included in the PUD project.

 

Provided.

 

z.                  Floodplain areas. (Revised 6-27-2005)

 

Provided.

 

2.                  Fee: Payment of a PUD fee, as established by the Township Board.

 

Provided.

 

3.                  Narrative Statement:  A narrative statement describing:

 

a.                   The objectives of the PUD and how it relates to the Intent of the PUD District, as described in Section 22.1.

b.                  The relationship of the PUD to the qualifying conditions listed in Section 22.2.

c.                   Phases of development and approximate time frames for each phase, including anticipated start and completion dates of construction.

d.                  Proposed deed restrictions, covenants, or similar legal instruments to be used within the PUD.

 

Provided.

 

*********************************************************************

Sec. 22.10     STANDARDS FOR APPROVAL (both preliminary and final).

 

A PUD shall be approved only if it complies with each of the following standards:

A.        The proposed PUD complies with all qualifying conditions of Section 22.2.

NOT YET MET.  As noted above, before the determination could be made that the proposal meets this section, the Planning Commission should determine if the elements listed in the summary are acceptable.

B.                 The proposed PUD is compatible with surrounding uses of land, the natural environment, and the capacities of public services and facilities affected by the development.

MET.  The proposed development would be a nice addition to the area and would be compatible with the surrounding uses of land and the natural environment.

C.                 The proposed uses within the PUD will not possess conditions or effects that would be injurious to the public health, safety, or welfare of the community.

MET.  As long as the traffic issues are addressed, the development does not possess conditions or effects that would be negative to the public health, safety and welfare of the community.

D.                 The proposed project is consistent with the spirit and intent of the PUD District, as described in Section 22.1 and represents an opportunity for improved or innovative development for the community that could not be achieved through conventional zoning.

MET.  This site could not be developed under conventional zoning.  The proposed development represents an opportunity to improve the current site with landscaping, traffic circulation and open space.

E.                  The proposed PUD meets all the site plan requirements of this Chapter, respective of being either a preliminary or final PUD request (Preliminary PUD’s must meet Section 22.5, A and Final PUD’s must meet Section 22.8, D.)

The Planning Commission will have to determine if this is met.

 

The findings and consensus of the Planning Commission were as follows:

1.      The drive aisle between the Meijer building and the credit union property was really not a front yard and was, therefore, not required to be landscaped and not required to be void of parking and drive aisles.

2.      The elements proposed by the applicants in the meeting and on the plan for the ring road to the west of the Meijer building were acceptable to define the drive area.

3.      The applicants should pursue Meijer with the opportunity to create a grassy area behind the drive area between the Meijer building and the credit union.

4.      The opening of the driveway to the west should be widened to allow vehicles to exit to head west.

5.      The twelve-foot by-pass area around the drive-in stations and the design of the drive-in stations were acceptable.

6.      If there is not enough room to store snow, it would have to be removed from the site.

7.      The hashed area at the end of the bank of parking spaces does not have to be curbed and could be removed at the applicants’ discretion.

8.      The 15-foot front yard setback is acceptable since the applicants proposed to landscape and maintain the open space between the private street and Cottonwood.

9.      It is acceptable to locate the credit union sign in the greenspace along Cottonwood, especially since they plan to maintain the area.  The Planning Commission suggested that the sign be ground-mounted; however, the applicants stated that in the area with all the other pole signs, a pole sign was necessary.  The Planning Commission accepted the proposed pole sign.

10.  The open space area should show the existing trees and the additional proposed landscaping should be shown on a plan.

11.  The dumpster and enclosure would be reduced to a maximum height of six feet, as noted by the applicants.

12.  The pedestrian walkways are acceptable as shown since there is really no where else for the walkways to lead to.

13.  The architectural design is acceptable (although the Planning Commission preferred a more residential look with peaked roofs).  The applicants designed a modern-looking building with the hope to be visually appealing and to stand out.

14.  All of the traffic elements shown on the plan were acceptable, although the Planning Commission asked the applicants to contact Meijer and to see if there was an opportunity to add a left turn lane onto Cottonwood to help with traffic congestion leaving the site.  The Planning Commission determined that approval would not be contingent upon the left turn lane, although it would be a nice and a welcome addition.

15.  The 15 foot front yard setbacks were acceptable.

16.  The dumpster will be reduced to a maximum height of 6 feet.

17.  The building height is 26 feet.

18.  The requirement for the proposed deed restrictions, covenants, or similar legal instruments will be added as a condition of approval to be submitted at the time a building permit application is submitted to the Township.

 

Moved by South, seconded by Huizinga, to determine that the qualifying conditions of Sec. 22.2 are met and to approve publishing the notice for the public hearing to be held on March 5, 2008 and to direct that the plan be revised to address the issues that were discussed during the meeting.

 

It was noted that the Planning Commission was not approving or recommending for approval the plan as presented, but was determining that the qualifying conditions were met and the Planning Commission would hold a public hearing and review the plan again at the March 5, 2008 meeting.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#080206-04 – Site Plan Revision (ST0801) Campus View Town Homes Phase 8-10081 42nd Ave.

(site plan, landscape plan)

 

The zoning administrator presented a review as follows and noted that the applicant had called to state that he was not attending the meeting due to the snow storm.

 

REQUEST

 

The request is to approve changes to a previously approved site plan that have been determined not to meet the criteria of a minor change under Sec. 19.8.  The new plan proposes to increase the number of bathrooms per unit which results in a two foot wider unit and increases the building coverage by 12% (which is more than the 5% required in Sec. 19.8(B) in order for a minor change to be administratively approved).  In addition, the newly revised plan shows buildings number 40 and 41 each as one structure consisting of ten units.  In the previously approved plans these units consisted of four buildings rather than two.  The building summary is revised as follows:

 

                                                Previously approved              Revised

 

Future Phase 8                         buildings 34-43             buildings 34-41

Four unit buildings                     2                                              0

Six unit buildings                       7                                              5

Eight unit building                      1                                              1

Ten unit buildings                      0                                              2

 

Total units of Phase 8                58                                            58

Total units of all phases 314                                          314

 

HISTORY

 

On July 20, 2005, the Planning Commission approved a site plan for phase 8.  A revised site plan was approved on Oct. 18, 2006 with revisions that included the following:

a.       The previous plan showed phase six encompassing buildings 20 to 43.  The revised plan shows phases six as encompassing buildings 20 to 26, phase seven as encompassing buildings 27 to 33, phase seven as encompassing buildings 27 to 33 and phase eight as encompassing buildings 34 to 43.  

b.      The total number of units has been reduced from 316 to 314.  The density is 7.73 units per acre which is well within the fifteen units per acre permitted in Chapter 24 footnote (i).  Buildings 30, 32 and 33 have increased in square footage.

c.       Buildings 32 and 33 have been reoriented.

 

On March 21, 2007, the Planning Commission approved a site plan for the construction of an addition to the club house building.

 

SUMMARY of the review (see complete review following)

 

Notes:

a.         As per the previously approved plan, the applicant agreed to install the sidewalk and landscaping along the 42nd Ave. frontage as part of the construction of phase 8, but no later than December 2008.  The applicant is requesting to eliminate the condition of “no later than December 2008,” and would like to complete the sidewalk and landscaping at the time of construction of phase 8, whenever that time occurs.  The Planning Commission should determine if this is acceptable.

b.         A Storm Water Drain Permit will be required at the time a building permit is submitted to the Township.

c.         Conditions of approval will be added to ensure compliance with the ordinance (since this was a previously approved site plan) as follows: for the buildings to be constructed as per the previously submitted elevations (including garages.)

 

Following is the documentation showing compliance with Ordinance requirements.

I D number

ST0609

 

 

 

Date

1/28/08

 

 

Name

Campus View Townhouses

 

 

 

 

 

Address

10081 42nd Ave.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use

11.2(B) Townhouses

 

SUP required

no

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REQUIREMENT

 

 

 

 

 

PROVIDED

 Needs or Comments

Date, north arrow, scale

 

 

 

 

X

 

Name, address of preparer

 

 

 

 

X

 

Name, address of property owner or petitioner

 

 

X

 

Location sketch

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Legal description

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Size in acres of the property

 

 

 

 

X

 

Property lines and required setbacks shown and dimensioned

 

X

 

Location of existing structures, drives, parking areas within 100 ft of boundary

X

 

Location and dimensions of existing and proposed structures

 

X

 

Location of existing and proposed drives (dimensions and radii), circulation

X

 

Sidewalks, non-motorized paths-select streets, accel, decel lanes

 

 

 

 

X

a.

Signs, exterior lighting

 

 

 

 

 

X

 

Curbing, parking areas, dimensions of typical space, number of parking spaces

X

 

Calculations of parking spaces, unloading areas

 

 

X

 

Location, pavement width, ROW of all abutting roads, easements

 

X

 

Existing zoning, and zoning and use of abutting property

 

 

X

 

Location of existing vegetation-parkway association

 

 

 

 

NA

 

Location, type, size of proposed landscaping, streetscape, greenbelt

X

 

Location, height, type of existing and proposed fences and walls

 

X

 

Size, location of proposed, existing utilities, connections to water/sewer

X

 

Location, size of surface water drainage facilities

 

 

X

b.

Existing, proposed topo contours, max 5 ft intervals

 

 

X

 

Rec/common areas, floodplain areas

 

 

 

X

 

Residential development extra requirements-attached garages

 

X

c.

 

No one was present to make public comments on this item. 

 

The consensus of the Planning Commission was that the sidewalk and landscaping could be installed at the time of construction of phase 8.

 

Moved by Pearson, seconded by Stasiak, to approve the site plan dated “01-28-08 REV PER PLANNING REVIEW” as presented and the landscape plan dated “01-28-08 REV PER PLANNING REVIEW” as presented based on the findings that the plans meet applicable ordinance requirements, and with the following conditions:

a.      The buildings must be constructed as per the elevations (which show attached garages) that were previously approved with the site plans on July 20, 2005 and October 18, 2006;

b.      A Storm Water Drain Permit is provided at the time a building permit application is submitted to the Township.