Proposed Minutes

Of the

Baroda Township Planning Commission Meeting and

Public Hearing

August 10, 2009

PRESENT ABSENT STAFF/OTHERS Madeleine Carroll, Chair Tom Shafer Jim Pheifer

Ed Heyn Howard Gaul

Tom Lippert

Dean Schmaltz

David Schultz

Wendie Shafer

Chairwoman Madeleine Carroll called the meeting to order at 6:31 p.m. in the Baroda Township Municipal Building Meeting Room. There were seven audience members.

The minutes of the July 13, 2009 Planning Commission meeting were distributed and discussed. Tom Lippert moved, seconded by Dave Schultz to approve the minutes as presented. Vote - All Yes. Motion Carried.

There was no Building Inspectors report

Zoning Administrator, Jim Pheifer presented copies of a Special Land Use Permit Application submitted by David Leslie for a Tourist Home on Browntown Rd. Discrepancies were found concerning parcel ID numbers. Action was tabled until corrections are made. Wendie is to check into the existing Special Use Permit for a winery, and have Howard Gaul do an inspection of the home to be used as a Tourist Home. Action on the Baroda Church of God Special Use Application was tabled because the building height exceeds the maximum height allowed in that zone.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Brian Wegener from Williams and Works reported on the results of the master plan citizen survey conducted in June-July. He reported that 22% of Baroda residents returned their surveys, a normal response. He said that three main issues surfaced in the analysis of the survey: 1. preserve farmland and open spaces, 2. partner with the Village in working toward improving the commercial area and downtown, and 3. preserve the rural character of the Township. A copy of the survey accompanies these minutes.

Tom Lippert noted that the Ornamental Grass sign on the corner of Shawnee and Cleveland has been removed.

The Planning Commissioners reviewed a draft of the language for an amendment to the Baroda Township Zoning Ordinance adding in Section 13 – Special Land Uses, a provision for campgrounds, including recreational vehicle condominium projects and changes to other sections of the ordinance related to the addition. The language was changed in accordance with recommendations made in a letter from legal council Ben Schwartz. The Commissioners discussed at length the setback proposed in the amendment. Tom Lippert moved seconded by Ed Heyn to keep the setback at 150’ Roll call vote – Tom Lippert-yes, Wendie Shafer-no, Ed Heyn –yes, Madeleine Carroll-no, Dean Schmaltz-no, Dave Schultz-no. Motion failed. Madeleine Carroll moved, seconded by David Schultz to set the minimum setback for campgrounds at 100’. Roll call vote – Tom Lippert-no, Wendie Shafer-yes, Ed Heyn-no, Madeleine Carroll-yes, Dean Schmaltz-yes, Dave Schultz-yes. Motion Carried.

Chairperson, Madeleine opened the Public Hearing at 8:17 pm.

Maryann Prien expressed her disagreement with decreasing the setbacks. Howard Kahn, attorney for Dayna Kozminski asked whether we had also considered changing the set back for the motorized vehicle path.

The Public Hearing was closed at 8:45 pm.

Tom Lippert moved, seconded by Wendie Shafer, to approve the amendment as corrected and send it to Berrien County and the Baroda Township Board for adoption. Roll call vote – All Yes.

A corrected copy of the proposed Ordinance Amendment accompanies these minutes.

AUDIENCE COMMENT – Chris O’Neil suggested that the lot size for having large animals should be changed to two acres, instead of five acres so that people can have fair animals for their children’s 4-H projects. It was noted that the Planning Commission had discussed the issue, and would have a public hearing concerning amending the ordinance in the future.

NEW BUSINESS – Application for Special Land Use Permit for a Tourist Home submitted by David Leslie is addressed under the Zoning Administrator’s report.

ADJOURNMENT – The meeting Adjourned by Madeleine Carroll at 8:52 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is to be held on September 14, 2009.

Wendie Shafer,

Secretary, Baroda Township Planning Commission