Proposed Minutes

Of the

Baroda Township Planning Commission Meeting

November 9, 2009

PRESENT ABSENT STAFF/OTHERS

Dean Schmaltz Madeleine Carroll, Chair Howard Gaul, Building Inspector

Tom Lippert Ed Heyn Jim Pheifer, Zoning Admin.

David Schultz, Acting Chair

Tom Shafer,

Wendie Shafer

David Schultz, Acting Chair called the meeting to order at 6:29 p.m. in the Baroda Township Municipal Building Meeting Room. There were two audience members.

The minutes of the October 12, 2009 and October 28, 2009 Planning Commission meetings were distributed and discussed. Dean Schmaltz moved, seconded by Wendie Shafer to approve the minutes as presented. Vote - All Yes. Motion Carried.

Building Inspectors report – There was no Building Inspector’s report

Zoning Administrator’s report – Jim Pheifer reported that no zoning activity had taken place during the month.

OLD BUSINESS – Mark Schutze answered questions concerning the loudspeakers and demarcation of property lines during his 2009 snowmobile races. He reported that he had used the same speaker system as in the past and that the speakers had been faced toward the west, away from neighboring homes. Mr. Schutze reported that he had staked an area inside his property line demarcating the limit for his event. It was noted that the rules for his special land use permit requires that the property lines be demarcated. Under point 9 of the special land use permit, he will make a remedy by marking the property lines for his 2010 NIMBY Pond races.

Tom Lippert moved, seconded by Tom Shafer, to approve the special land use for Mark Schutze to continue having 2 snowmobile races per year according to the Special Use Permit as long as he marks the property lines in 2010 as part of his race day set ups. Voting YES – Tom Shafer, David Schultz, Dean Schmaltz, Wendie Shafer, and Tom Lippert. Voting NO – None.

NEW BUSINESS – Brian Wegener from Williams and Works presented an exercise whereby the Planning Commissioners discussed the Goals and Objectives to be incorporated into the Baroda Township Master Plan. He set large boards with goals and objectives and edited them during the course of discussion. Goals presented by Mr. Wegener were: Tourism, Economic Development, Farmland and Open Space Preservation, Community Character, Trails, Infrastructure, and Communication with Citizens. It was mentioned that First Street should be extended to Shawnee Road as a Gateway to the Village which could bring business to the community. It was suggested that the Township and Village do a market study to determine what businesses the Township and Village can support. Discussion was held at length about Farmland preservation vs. property rights. Minimum and Maximum Lot sizes were discussed as well as transfer of development rights, and where funding might come from for these programs. Construction and funding of trails within the Township was discussed as a means of attracting and connecting residents to the community. Installment of water and sewer lines was discussed, acknowledging that the Township Board would be the body responsible for funding and initiating such projects. The need for additional telecommunications i.e., internet and cable companies to serve the area was discussed. It was suggested that Baroda Township work with the Village in advertising the area as a destination place for tourism, arts and recreation.

ADJOURNMENT – The meeting was adjourned by David Schultz at 9:07 p.m. The next regular meeting of the Planning Commission is to be held on December 14. Special meetings for the Master Plan are to be held Wednesday, November 18, Wednesday, December 2, and Wednesday December 9, 2009.

Wendie Shafer,

Secretary, Baroda Township Planning Commission