Minutes of
Plainfield Township Planning and Parks and Recreation Commission
Regular meeting
July 10, 2024
- Called to order by Olmstead at 6:30p.m.
- Pledge of allegiance was said by all present.
- Roll Call:
a. Present: McDonell, Toth,Houthoofd,Johnson, Olmstead, Alward
b. Absent: Heal - Guest: Patrick Ready, Zoning Administrator; Fred Lewis, Supervisor; Denise Cline, NEMCOG +1; 3 members of community
- Approval of Agenda:
a. Motion by McDonell,seconded by Toth Motion carried byvoice, all ayes. - Approval of Minutes: Motion by Toth, seconded byHouthoofdto approve theJune 12, 2024minutes. With correction that Heal was not at meetingMotion carried by voice, all ayes.
- Township board report:Houthoofd :Pavilion is up. New Sheriff deputy in area. New Dump cards in Tax bill
- ZBA Report: Toth: No meeting
- Community comments or questions:
a. Fred Boynton would like to discuss Putnam Road Park: 2 docks and 6 boats have created a marina. Subdivision traditionally uses the docks. Road Ending and would be against the state law that no one can use the road ending except for day us. Upset that there are jet skis coming from the docks that are disturbing his swimming. Explained that township is not the authority to address his concerns. - New Business:
a. 3800 Binder Rd. campground special use: Discussed that he has called the Health Dept. theyreferred him to state, left messages with the state and have not heard back yet. Portable outhouses is the best way to use at the rustic campground, will provide outhouse and dumpster. Wants to create a rustic camping experience. Lower income people with tents and popups, fishing, hunting and trail use. No electricity or water provided. 40 acres in the middle of the Huron Forest with areas cleared 80 x 200 cleared for 10 sites. Wants to have lots of room to experience life in the woods. Less restrictive than most campgrounds. Will need to wait for the state’s approval and bring in site plan for approval.
b. 206 N. Washington change of use. Food to retail. Gun shop in old ice cream shop. Hunting equipment, ammo, sporting goods, scope mounting services, firearm transfers, ATF is waiting for local approval. Limited parking but plenty of public service. Security will be updated. No reloading at this time, insurance was higher. Motion byToth to change the use at 206N. Washington, Houthoofd supported. Motion passed with all ayes.
c. Motion: Olmstead motion with support by Alward motion presented to accept site plan as presented for hunting and firearm store at 206 N. Washington. Roll Call vote, motion passed with all ayes.
d. NEMCOG Presentation, zoning manual rewrite: NEMCOG regional planning unit. 8 counties. East Council of Gov. is where Iosco County falls. Biggest issues are Solar, Marijuana, short term rentals, local communities have problems with signs, rvs, tiny homes and accessory buildings to include shipping containers. Procedural issues site plans need to be addressed as written findings and standards. When you go to court then the findings of facts are the standard to hold up plannings decision. Denise will help tear apart the zoning books and restructure to meet our needs. Will be a difficult process. Starting with definitions. Where are the problems strike out and mark up. Chapters will be reviewed line by line. General provisions, regulations, districts, and uses will be addressed in monthly meetings. 18 months, cannot come to every meeting. 9 meetings. Creates a user friendly manual. Template with easy to use. Online with interactive PDF. Will be able to update after adoption. Member pricing and non-member prices, recommend that they join to get a lower price and future updates. Grant opportunity: with MSHDA addressing housing with master plan and zoning update. Application through board- no match- Heather in office has been working on this, time sensitive!! Amendment to Master Plan to handle housing issues in township. Change zoning to adequately handle these changes to our housing
e. Motion by McDonell with support by Toth to recommend to the Board to apply for the MSDHA grant to rewrite master plan with a zoning update. And to rewrite zoning manual with NEMCOG AND to join NEMCOG as a member. Roll call vote: motion passed with all ayes. - Old Business:
a. West Londo Fishing Dock: request more bids. Association wants pavilion. Need prints, could use township’s prints at a smaller scale. Needs to be a licensed builder. Concern with parking and maintenance. Board would need to approve the use of the pavilion. There was a pole barn being used for their parties and meetings now owner has passed and was sold, and they want to have meetings at pavilion. Suggested a party tent and use for those three events.
b. Does the pavilion need to be reserved at the township park? Sign at the pavilion to state the market will be at pavilion on Saturday mornings.
c. Parks Catalogs: Recommendation to Purchase a couple cement culverts- cheap and kids like simple. Get two sections-
d. School Path: school board is for the trail. Request bids for crushed limestone and paved. Fred’s original idea to use the straight trail that is already there and not use the drainage ditch and needing a bridge. Also adding lights for winter walkers. Have a gated turnstile to keep motorized vehicles off. School Board would like to see a drawing.
e. Junior member: will wait till school starts. - General Discussion and Public Comments:
a. Dollar General: starting late fall - Motion byHouthoffd, second by Johnsonto adjourn 8:05Motion carried by voice, all ayes.
Minutes submitted by Cheryl McDonell
Approved: Date________________ _________________