Proposed Minutes

Of the

Baroda Township Planning Commission

March 9, 2009

PRESENT ABSENT STAFF/OTHERS

Tom Lippert Wendie Shafer Ed Heyn Jim Pheifer

Tom Shafer Dean Schmaltz

David Schultz Madeleine Carroll, Chair

Chairman, Madeleine Carroll called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. in the Baroda Township Municipal Building Meeting Room. There were six audience members

Zoning Administrator, Jim Pheifer reported that Kennedy Reese Company is working out the particulars of developing a Recreational Vehicle Park at the Mead’s Meadows Golf Course. To date they have not submitted an application for a Special Land Use Permit. He said that meetings had been held with Tom Lippert and Ben Schwartz to address some Zoning Ordinance Issues connected with the project.

The minutes of the February 9, 2009 Planning Commission meeting were distributed and discussed. Wendie Shafer moved, seconded by Tom Lippert to approve the minutes as presented. Vote - All Yes. Motion Carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS – Brian Wegener from Williams and Works presented the time frame and process that will be used to complete a new Master Plan. He asked the Planning Commissioners for their thoughts on what issues should be addressed in the Master Plan. Several items were discussed and listed: Maintain rural Atmosphere, encourage commercial business, Ag Tourism; water/sewer to guide growth and to address problem areas; internet services, cable; Tourism, proximity to Chicago; Smaller specialty shops envisioned. It was noted that traffic flow from the tourist areas does not flow toward the Village – Main Street Dead-ends. Things we would like to see: grocery store, gas station, expanded and new biking, hiking trails, high quality senior housing, more industrial and commercial businesses.

NEW BUSINESS – Tom Lippert brought requests for several Zoning Ordinance changes to the Planning Commissioners. He noted that in Article 2 Definitions - the definitions for Recreational Vehicle and Travel Trailer contained language restricting width and length of Recreational Vehicles and Trailers. Tom Shafer Moved Seconded by Madeleine Carroll to recommend to the Baroda Township Board to remove the language concerning size of Vehicles in Definition 72

(Recreational Vehicle) and Definition 90 (Travel Trailers). Vote – All Yes. Motion Carried.

Tom Lippert referred to the Ottawa County model Wind Energy Ordinance and requested that the Planning Commission recommend to the Township Board to add another section (Section 24) to the Zoning Ordinance Temporary Uses. He suggested that a permitted use for temporary use, up to 13 months, for anemometer towers be allowed in all districts, and to be exempt from the height restrictions of their individual districts. He suggested that a building permit would be required, and that information gathered by the towers should be shared with the Township. Also, Anemometer should be added to Article Two Definitions.

There was much discussion concerning the interpretation of the minimum lot requirements in the Agricultural Zone. It was decided that Jim Pheifer will ask attorney, Ben Schwartz for an opinion (interpretation) of Section 9:4.

ADJOURNMENT - Meeting Adjourned by Chairman, Madeleine Carroll at 8:40 p.m. Next meeting of the Planning Commission is to be held on April 13, 2009.

Wendie Shafer,

Secretary, Baroda Township Planning Commission