Minutes of Plainfield Township Planning and Parks and Recreation CommissionRegular meeting Aug 12, 20261. Called to order by Olmsteadat 6:30p.m.2. Pledge of allegiance was said by all present.3. Roll Call:a. Present: Toth,Thayer, McDonell, Morell,Olmstead, Heal,b. Absent: Johnson4. Guest: PatrickReady, zoning enforcement; Fred Lewis, supervisor, NEMCOG Denise representative, 36 citizens a. Approval of Agenda: Motion by Johnson andseconded byMcDonellMotion carried byvoice, all ayes.5. Approval of agenda with changes to open and close meetings for zoning approval.6. Approval of Minutes: Motion by Toth, seconded byMcDonellto approve July 8, 2026minutes. Motion carried by voice, all ayes.7. Township board report: Morell: July 15th meeting: reviewed bills, library is moved, changed sick policy, MDOT changing traffic lights downtown. 2 lights to 8 lights8. ZBA Report: Toth:2260 Bliss Lane August 20, at 6:009. Community comments or questions:None10. New Business: a. Recommendation to survey parcels 073-T30-001-029-00 and 073-T40-002040-00to also consider all parks except Loon Lake Nature Center and DNR park at Long Lake Motion by McDonell and seconded by TothMotion carried by voice, all ayes.11. Motion to close the meeting: Motion by Toth and seconded by McDonell Motion carried by voice, all ayes.12. Motion to open public hearing regarding proposed zoning manualMotion by Heal and seconded by ThayerMotion carried by voice, all ayes.13. Public Commentsa. Jim Waltz: Why changed zoning? Response 2007 was the last revision, many chaged have been mad and have made the document difficult to follow. North Kokosing went from single family to multifamily?Response: No intension to change.b. Linda Hutchinson: AI data centers is the purpose of the changes in the ordinance. Listed the concerns for data centers. Response:Zoning has been adjusted to stop data centers coming to our area. The zoning has restricted the use of our land. We have an established industrial area and restrictions to defend against the building in the township.c. Jeff Streeter: agricultural changes. Fences and use for permits supersede state wetlands. Response:Exact verbiage from the existing zoning manual. Environmentally sensitive areas: the board has the right to assign areas, but we currently have no area. Will review as board. d. Rob Broadvent: question: lives on Burnside and off lake. 66 ft. from center line for utilities. He has issue with setbacks for his garage. Why do neighbors get to have a larger garage? Response: to go to ZBA to review his needs. e. Charlie Kocher: Water drainage issues: non-conforming becomes conforming once this is approved. Response: not a zoning issue but that is a drain commission issue. In zoning, a new construction cannot have water running off onto another property. The beautification project in 2004 is the concern, water has been diverted since curb and gutterf. Data center concerns. What to do if data center changes. Concern with lawsuits. g. Solar farms: leased land- we cannot control those decisions. Development still must come to the planning commission but the ownership still has to bring forth plans to be approved with special use public hearings. h. Amanda- Why allowing- Denise addressed why we cannot ban people from doing what they want with their land. We can restrict itwith discretionary standards. Solar is more difficult to fight- Public Act 33 -State allows companies to jump past local zoning for approval. Have to walk a fine line to screen development and not just have companies to go straight to state for approval. i. Medical marijuana was already in zoning. Storefronts are not allowed.j. Industrial Area: defined the area from the dump to the old junkyard, now if someone wanted to rezone for industrial, they would need to meet the new standards for the zoning requirements. k. Zoning book: onlinel. John McNaby: concerned that they were not aware or informed of any changes in a timely manner. Response: we posted in paper with 15 day notice, document now goes to county for 30 day review and then to Township Board for final approval. m. Stone: concerned that this was important and only 15 days of notice doesn’t feel like enough time. Where would they want to have posted? Agreed that the public knows these are important issues and we have to take care to be aware of what is happening at the local level.n. Morrell: new member of the community, moved in 2021. With Nemcog being involved has been very influential on making decisions and cleaning up the manual. Thanked the audience for their concernso. Jeff Streeter: why was it posted that the entire document was being changed. Response: The document was not clear and rewritten so would be more congruentthroughout, and updated with new laws. p. Denise: explained why was a total re-writing. 5,6, 8 , 9, 10 process chapters. Site plan review was vague and details were added to make clear. Public should read chapter 3 with general provisions. Chapter 4 is allowing districts and defining what can be used in the districts. Chapter 7 is a specific uses and shows charts and diagrams. q. What are changes for apartment complexes. No changes for apartment complexes. Concern that they will be allowed in lake areas. Section 11 is allowing. Multi family is different than apartment complexes. They would need fire suppression and we don’t have city water. Lake owners are concerned with extra building in areas around lakes. Planning makes recommendations to elected township board and then they approver. What is the policy to have something changed. See Patrick at the office during the week and then he brings to board if he cannot handle directly. 14. Motion to close special meeting: Motion by McDonell and seconded by MorrelMotion carried by voice, all ayes.15. Motion to open regular meeting: McDonell and seconded by Morrel Motion to carried to open meeting.16. Zoning ordinance review: Board Review: a. Denise commented about the environmentally sensitive areas. Article 3.21 The planning board can discuss now or wait for the next meeting. This is an unusual areaand she is not aware of any other townships that use this language. Motion by McDonell and Heal second to remove the environmentally sensitive area section of the chapter: Motion carried by voice, all ayes. b. Motion to forward the proposed zoning manual to the county Motion to Morell and seconded by Heal Motion carried by voice , all ayes. 17. Planning Board makes recommendation for the Master Plan: Master Plan is setting the goals for the Township. Both were updated at the same time. Verify that the master plan and the zoning match. 63 day window to have approved for grant deadline at the end of December. a. Motion to send Masterplan to Township board for review with corrections to maps. Motion by McDonell seconded by Heal. Motion carried by voice, all ayes18. General Discussion and Public Comments: Fred thanked everyone for working on the document. Thanks to MISHDA for grant money to complete this process. Communication is currently an issue, minutes are posted at township, on website and on facebook. Township board minutes are posted in the Iosco Herald as was the posting for this meeting. No other options were suggested by audience. 19. Motion byThayer, second Toth adjourn 8:20Motion carried by voice, all ayes.20. Next meeting September 9,2026 6:30pmMinutes submitted by Cheryl McDonellApproved: Date________________ _____________________________
Plainfield Township Historical CommissionJuly 21, 2026,Minutes Call to order at10:00Introductions NoneApprove Agenda MH / BNApprove Previous Meeting Minutes RDS / MHPresentBoard Members:Rona Dane Sullivan Chair PresentBruce Thayer Vice Chair PresentJim Kesler Curator PresentBernie Nuttall Secretary PresentMargy Holzheuer Treasurer PresentMembers at large:Earline Robinson, Bill Morton, Beth Thayer, Amy Albers, Erin KelahanTreasure Reportapproved as read MH / RDSCurator Work Activity: Few new items. Past Perfect Training on goingOld BusinessThe moveget keys soon, thenget measurements and assess what needs to be done. The Fairschedule is set, July 4 float driver got sick unable to partake, Friends of the Museum set just need get signatures at the bank.New BusinessRefine our organization remain as is, By Laws need to be reviewed, Newspaper Article schedule done, Business cards closed.Next Meeting 18 August 2026Adjournment 11:15 RDS / BN
Just a heads up to everyone. The BIG ITEM DUMPSTER IS DOWN. Sorry for any inconvenience I will post again when it is back up and running.
SUPERVISORS CORNER Thanks to all those that worked to make our July 4th celebration so wonderful. Two days of fun starting with the fireworks show on Friday night followed by the wonderful parade on Saturday afternoon. Everything came off great and was a fun time for the families and residents. Thanks Sue for organizing these events.The Plainfield Township Library has officially moved its residence. We are now fully operational at the Eagle Pointe Plaza in the former meeting room. Cheryl and her staff have everything setup and looking great. We are planning on an official Open House in the near future to celebrate this event so stay tuned to our facebook pages for more information. With that in mind I would like to take this opportunity to ask the community for some feedback. As we mentioned, prior to the move, we would like to consider some expanded hours for the library. This would not occur right away as we are still getting acclimated to our new surroundings but before we settle on a change we would like some feedback on what type of expanded hours would be desirable. Are we thinking later times like 5 or 6 pm one or two days a week during summer or during school; or are we thinking Saturday from noon until 2 or 3 pm? Let us know what, when and if there is a need? We’ll let you know what we received over the next couple of months before we make any changes. As most of you are aware it is an election year, midterms to be exact, and there are a whole lot of requests on the ballot in addition to the candidates running for offices. There are only two RENEWALS that we are requesting for Plainfield Township, .15 mils for MFR(Medical First Responders) and .5 mils for our Fire Department. These are both renewals of a current millage on your taxes. These are not an increase. By law, millages have to be renewed every so often, they cannot be forever unless provided for the state constitution. So don’t forget to vote by August 4, your support is important.There are still some weekend activities left this summer at the Lumberman’s Monument Visitors Center:• August 7 @1 Kid’s Day! Smokey Bear Fire Prevention Anniversary and 82nd Birthday Party• August 14 @1 Michael Deren re-enacts “Life as a Civilian Conservation Corps Enrollee in 1941”• September 5-6 @10-3 Labor Day Weekend with the Lumberjack and Logging Museum!The Plainfield Township Historical Commission has a program scheduled for September 19th at 2 pm in the Eagle Pointe Plaza, with Phil Naud on the Civilian Conservation Corps(CCC), their camps and work programs in Iosco County and surrounding areas Please mark your calendars for this date. Phil is a known scholar on the CCC and their roles and impacts in northern Michigan.Within the next 45 days, the Michigan Public Service Commission will decide whether to allow Consumers Energy to sell the 13 hydros they operate to Confluence Energy, five of them are located on the AuSable River. Consumers has determined that their two options for these facilities are to either sell to an independent operator or remove the hydros and their dam structures. There are conservation groups that are strongly opposing this sale and are pushing for their removal. If you would like to make your opinion heard go to mi-psc.my.site.com and search for U-21985 to submit your comments. We would like to thank the supporters that donated so generously for the eagle statue. The Garden Club raised their target for the sculpture and setup costs within the first weeks of collecting. We are still working on the lighting and final landscaping, but it will be complete for the upcoming fall season. As you know, our Garden Club is staffed by volunteers from across our community and is always looking for help. So if you would like to be involved, you can contact them by calling Bev Mason at 989-305-8823 or Hale Garden Club, PO Box 174, Hale, MI 48739. Thanks to the Garden Club for all their hard work that keeps our community looking beautiful.Consider a membership at the Community Center and Eagle Point Plaza. You can come and enjoy pickleball at any time, yoga, cardio drumming, fitness training, walking or some more intense TOWANDA. Whatever your need we probably have some form of activity to assist you. So stop in and see Roma about a membership. We would love to see you. When you’re here stop in on Tuesdays and Thursdays to the Plainfield Township Historical Museum. They have great displays of our community throughout history and how our members lived long ago. The members do a great job preserving and showcasing our heritage. As always if you ever have any questions, comments or concerns regarding our community please contact me. I am in the office Monday – Friday 7:30 – 4:00 at 989-728-2811 or my cell at 989-984-7073 or by email supervisor@plainfieldtwpmi.com. Fred Lewis – Supervisor Plainfield Township
Check Out Plainfield Township Zoning Ordinance Final Draft
Zoning Ordinance – Plainfield Township
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Regular Board MeetingPlainfield Township Eagle Pointe PlazaJune 17th, 2026Meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm by Supervisor Lewis followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Present: Bassi, Kocher, Lewis, Morel and Reilly. Guests: 3Approval of Agenda: Motion by Bassi supported by Reilly to approve the Agenda with the following additions. 11c) parking signs and 11d) Insurance renewal. All ayes: Motion carried. Public Comments: noneBoard Comments: noneApproval of Minutes: Motion by Reilly supported by Kocher to approve Minutes from Regular Meeting May 20th, 2026 and Special Meeting June 2nd, 2026. All ayes. Motion carried. Financial Report: Presented by Bassi.Budget Report: Presented by Lewis.Presentation of Bills: Motion by Morel supported by Kocher to pay the bills as presented. Roll call vote: Ayes: Bassi, Kocher, Lewis, Morel and Reilly. Nays: none. Motion carried. GENERAL FUND: 59113-59167FIRE FUND: 7661-7669ROAD FUND: 1692LIBRARY FUND: 1930-1933BUILDING: 2480-2486WASTE SITE: 3890-3899SEWER: 3232-3235TAX ACCOUNT: 4690 LITTLE LONG: 1056W LONDO LAKE:1060LOON LAKE1066 CHAIN LAKE 1039LONG LAKE- 1090BASS: 1040 JOSE LAKE:1029Library-Historical Move Update: Fiber outside is done. Parking Lot-Driving Test: A company will be using our parking lot for driving lessons. Parking Signs: Lewis is ordering signs to make the parking lot up front a short term parking for library and township office business. and the east large parking lot will be for Community Center. Insurance approval: Our insurance is up for renewal on July 1st. TCA will get us our quotes and we will have to have a meeting before the 1st of July to approve.Grant and Hill Township Fire Contracts for 2026-27: Motion by Bassi supported by Kocher to approve Grant and Hill Township Fire Contracts for 2026-27. Roll call vote: Ayes: Bassi, Kocher, Lewis, Morel and Reilly. Nays: none. Motion carried.Parks and Rec County Grant purchase approval: Motion by Reilly supported by Lewis to approve the purchase that was presented to the County for the purchase of the 5 picnic tables, the fencing around the pickleball courts and the swingset in the amount of $23,510.00 and to adjust the budget accordingly. Roll call vote: Ayes: Bassi, Kocher, Lewis, Morel and Reilly. Nays: none. Motion carried.Entrance Mats: Motion by Kocher supported by Lewis to approve the purchase of two entrance mats for the 2 front entrances at the Plaza. Roll call vote: Ayes: Kocher, Lewis, Morel and Reilly. Nays: Bassi. Motion carried. Data Center and BESS Moratorium: Motion by Reilly supported by Morel to approve the Resolution to impose a temporary moratorium on the issuance of permits for the erection or operation of Data Centers and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) within the Township. Roll call vote: Ayes: Bassi, Kocher, Lewis, Morel and Reilly. Nays: none. Motion carried.Committee –Department Reports: Building Permits are Up. Motion by Lewis to adjourn at 7:05 pm. All ayes. Motion carried. Sue Reilly, Plainfield Township Clerk