Minutes of the regular meeting of the Georgetown Township Planning Commission, held Wednesday, November 19, 2008

 

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

 

Present:           Honderd, South, Huizinga, Stasiak, Blouw, VanDenBerg

Absent:            Pearson

 

#081119-01 - Agenda for November 19, 2008

 

Moved by VanDenBerg, seconded by Blouw, to approve the agenda for November 19, 2008 as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#081119-02 - Minutes of the regular October 15, 2008 meeting 

 

Moved by Stasiak, seconded by South, to approve the minutes as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#081119-03 – Final Development Plan (PUD0604-03) 36th Ave./Baldwin PUD (no public hearing is

necessary) (elevation 1, elevation 2, elevation 3, elevation 4) (pictures of structures existing on the site: picture 1, picture 2, picture 3, picture 4, picture 5, picture 6)

 

Dan Colella, Wesco Inc., represented the applicant and presented the request.  He presented six pictures of the existing buildings and presented a fifth proposed elevation with elements similar to the Ace building.

 

The zoning administrator presented a review as follows.

 

REQUEST

 

At the October 15, 2008 Planning Commission meeting, the final development plan for Wesco Service Station was approved for all elements except the elevations.  The Planning Commission requested revisions with architectural elements more consistent with the PUD.  The applicant has submitted four drawings of elevations with more brick, different colors and different styles of roofs.  The applicant is requesting approval for one of the submitted elevations.    

 

SUMMARY

 

Elevation 1 shows the columns removed and brown brick along the bottom of the building.

 

Elevation 2 shows the columns removed and the whole building bricked with a brown color.

 

Elevation 3 shows the columns removed and the whole building bricked with a brown color, along with a pitched roof.

 

Elevation 4 shows the columns removed and the whole building bricked with a combination of two colors of brown, along with a pitched roof.

 

South said that he preferred elevation 2 because it had brown brick and did not have the blue roof.

 

VanDenBerg said that she liked the new proposal because it matched the Ace building and there was no blue roof.

 

Stasiak stated the following.  He appreciated the applicant’s efforts.  He was not hung up on the construction materials and the roof.  It was the large white red and blue wrap-a-round contrast and the sizable canopy that he would rather see softened with earth tones.

 

Huizinga said that he preferred elevation 2 with the flat roof with no blue and he had no objection to the white.

 

Blouw said that the proposals were acceptable, but he agreed that the white stood out and the branding should be softer.

 

The chairman opened the floor to public comments.  No one was present in the audience to make public comments.  The chairman closed the floor to public comments.

 

The chairman questioned the applicant about the colors and if they were compatible with the buildings that already existed on the site.

 

The applicant stated that the colors were compatible and would look better in natural light.  He said that the white would be fine and the building would work well with the residential buildings.

 

Stasiak asked if there was any possibility that the white color could be changed and the applicant stated that it would be a deal breaker if they could not have the white.

 

Moved by Huizinga, seconded by South, to approve the architectural features as shown on the elevation plan titled “Elevation 2” for the final development plan (PUD0604-03) 36th Ave./Baldwin PUD for Wesco Service Station because it is consistent with Sec. 22.2(F) and consistent with the approved preliminary plan.

 

Blouw asked if the new option could be added to the motion and the applicant given the choice of which to choose.

 

VanDenBerg said that she preferred the new proposal because it had red brick like the Ace building.

 

Stasiak said that this is a significant compromise for the Township and that the building should have all earth tones.  He said that with the townhouses proposed in the original PUD this building would stick out like a sore thumb.

 

Yeas:   Huizinga, Blouw, South

Nays:   VanDenBerg, Honderd, Stasiak

Absent: Pearson

 

MOTION DEFEATED.

 

 

Moved by VanDenBerg, seconded by Huizinga, to approve the architectural features as shown on the elevation plan titled “Elevation 2” with split faced block to the window level as shown on the new plan for the final development plan (PUD0604-03) 36th Ave./Baldwin PUD for Wesco Service Station because it is consistent with Sec. 22.2(F) and consistent with the approved preliminary plan. (revised elevation)

 

Yeas:   Honderd, VanDenBerg, Huizinga, Blouw, South

Nays:   Stasiak

Absent: Pearson

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#081119-04 – Other Business-Model Wind Energy Ordinance

 

The model wind ordinance was presented and discussed.

 

VanDenBerg stated that the ordinance was straight-forward and extensive, and that there was a limit of three small wind turbines per parcel or one large one per parcel

 

The consensus was that the ordinance would be reviewed more thoroughly at the next meeting.

 

#081119-05 – Other Business-Master Plan discussion

 

There was discussion regarding updating the Master Plan.  The consensus was that the whole plan did not need to be updated and that only certain areas should be reviewed.  The decision was made to proceed as follows: 1. All Planning Commissioners will be sent paper copies of the current plan and all documents that were adopted by reference; 2. Since the new Planning Commissioners were not familiar with the current plan there will be a review of the existing plan including all the documents that had been adopted by reference; 3. Subsequently, areas will be identified that need to be reviewed including: a. cosmetic changes that are noted to be changed mainly to reflect current zoning or uses; and b. the areas that need to be thoroughly reviewed to reflect current development trends; 4. Site condo language will be reviewed; 5. PUD language pertaining to architecture and mixed uses will be reviewed; 6. Ideas will be formulated; 7. A joint meeting with the Board will be held; 8. Public input will be solicited; and 9. The steps outlined in the law will be completed.

 

There was discussion regarding the new ramp from I-196 that connects to Baldwin.  The question was raised about the landscaping, streetlights and signage that had been discussed for the project and when it would be installed.

 

#081119-06– Adjournment

 

The chairman adjourned the meeting at 9:00 p.m.