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PARK TOWNSHIP
BOARD MEETING MINUTES
MAY,
2003
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here to go back to the Archive page or meeting Schedules.
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The
regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on May 8, 2003, at 6
p.m. was called to order by Supervisor Stuart Visser.
Present
were Supervisor Stuart Visser, Clerk Howard VanRaalte, Trustees Ed Marsilje, Gene Koopman, Amanda Price and Paul
VanDyke, and Attorney Dan Martin.
Absent
was Treasurer Jan Steggerda. |
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The minutes of April 10, 2003 board meeting
were approved
as printed. |
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The Treasurer's Report was given as
follows:
Beginning Balance,
$2,897,662
Receipts, $141,875
Disbursement, $330,773
Ending Balance, $2,708,764
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The Fire
Department report indicated 27 calls were made in the month of April with $5,200 in property damage.
Fire Chief Ken Fought reported everything is in good working order. |
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The Zoning
Administrator's Report indicated building permits were issued for 16 single-family homes in
April and a total of just over $4,777,000.
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Koopman reported that 6 Liquor Inspection reports had been turned in from
April. All establishments were in compliance and good condition. |
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PUBLIC COMMENT
Fire
Chief Ken Fought, 1676 Columbus St., stated that he was very pleased with
the outcome of the Blessing Of The Bikes held on the fairgrounds April 27,
and would like to see it again next year.
Visser
introduced Steven Zona who had been working on an Eagle Scout project.
Zona
explained that he had built a bench and picnic table for his Eagle Scout
project and it was placed on the south side of Lake Macatawa in Park
Township. The bench is in a
park on the lake and the picnic table is on the east side of Southshore
Marina at the boat launch.
Koopman
stated he had seen the bench and table and complimented Zona’s work.
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RECEIPT OF PROPERTY DONATION
Visser recognized Jonathon
DeZwaan, 182 N. Division, for donating 1.75 acres of land to Park
Township. Mr. DeZwaan could
not attend the board meeting, but Visser noted he had already thanked him
in person. The donated land
is on the east side of the Pine Creek Trail property. |
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OTTAWA COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT PRESENTATION
The Ottawa County Health Department did a
presentation of the West Nile Virus. The speaker gave a history of
this disease noting that it has been around for 65 years, however, only in
the U.S. since 1999. Last year Michigan had the second highest
number of cases, and West Ottawa had 10 cases of this virus. Ottawa
County will fight this disease by surveillances, prevention and control,
and education. |
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POSTMA P.U.D. TRANSFER
Visser explained he had given the board members a
copy of a letter requesting we approve the P.U.D. transfer from Mr. Postma
to Five Star Real Estate. The
realtors signed a consent saying they would be bound by the terms and
conditions of the April 10, 2003 final approval.
MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:
A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Koopman to transfer
the Postma P.U.D. to Five Star Real Estate Lakeshore, LLC. |
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ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
Visser explained the Planning Commission
recommended this amendment to the Board.
John VanIwaarden, Chairman of the Planning
Commission, gave an overview of the Zoning Ordinance Amendment.
He noted that he is the chairperson of the subcommittee that worked
on the zoning ordinance changes, and he introduced the rest of the
subcommittee members. The
meetings involved a lot of research.
As part of the planning process they have created zoning ordinances
to cover the two districts that are on our general circulation of land use
plan called “open space design development” and “planned residential
development”. The members
of the subcommittee feel the best way to create a buffer between
agricultural and residential areas is to put into place some rules and
regulations that would allow a developer to take a piece of property in
either of these two districts and develop it, but save a significant
portion of the land to open space. Then
the developer would be granted a 20% density bonus over and above what
they would normally have had. He
noted the developer would also save on infrastructure.
The Board and Park Township residents are concerned with our
environment, and this amendment would allow the opportunity to keep
more land in its natural state. The developer could release the extra land to the general
public or the residents of that particular development. VanIwaarden noted the Planning Commission passed this
unanimously (9-0) to send to the board for recommendation for approval.
Mike De Vries, 2226 Ottawa Beach Road, feels this
open space preservation provision is probably the result of our Public Act
177, 178 and 179 which came into effect December 15, 2001.
The purpose of this Act was to preserve open space and farmland.
Mr. De Vries feels if we use our property to the highest and best
use, we will still have the farmland and open space available. He gave the board an example of density use.
Ted Bosgraaf, 2449 Lake Michigan Ave., requested
this amendment be tabled and sent back to the Planning Commission for more
clarity. He would also like
to have a full-time land planner hired.
He feels we need a professional to help us continuously on a daily
basis.
Frank Beltman, Park Township Planning Commission,
reminded the board of an ordinance presently in effect for these two
zoning areas. One of the
reasons there was a moratorium placed on any further development in these
areas is because there was a significant part that was not beneficial to
Park Township. He stated
subcommittee meetings were all posted and available for the public to
attend. In April they had a
public hearing and nobody showed up to address this issue. He urged the Board to very seriously consider passing this
amendment without any ramifications or changes.
Martin clarified that the Public Act 177 does not
give a density bonus.
Marsilje announced he has a copy of a letter from
Planning Commission member Carol Bowerman who stated she feels she has
voted in error.
Marsilje stated he feels residents and active
farming are incompatible. To
encourage farming in the open spaces would only cause future problems.
He would like to have the planners remove that option and truly
make the extra land natural space.
Price commented that this was discussed at
subcommittee meetings. One of the purposes of the P.R.D. was to help preserve
farmland. She also noted the
Right To Farm Act takes precedence over complaints from neighbors who have
built next to a farm. She
reminded the board that farming on the open space is just an option.
Developers may choose to keep it natural.
Koopman recalled incidences between residents and
farmers when he was on the police force.
He feels if we have the option of preserving the land as natural
open space minus the agricultural aspects, it would save a lot of
headaches. The issues and
arguments between residents and farmers will be there regardless of the
Right To Farm Act. Koopman
stated he appreciates all the hard work of the subcommittee, but would
like them to take another look at this segment of the amendment to see if
there is a way to increase the buffer between farming and residential.
VanRaalte stated there are too many mixed
feelings about this issue and proposed that it goes back to the Planning
Commission.
MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:
A motion was made by VanRaalte and supported by Marsilje to refer
the proposed amendment back to the Planning Commission.
Motion passed 5 to 1.
Price opposed.
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FIREWORKS
DISPLAY PERMIT
Visser
noted Mr. Van Andel sponsors the fireworks display held annually, July 4,
by JVA Enterprises on the south pier.
He is requesting a permit to be issued to Melrose Pyrotechnics,
Inc. for this year’s event.
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A
motion was made by Marsilje and supported by VanDyke to grant a fireworks
display permit to Melrose Pyrotechnics, Inc. for July 4, 2003. |
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CEMETERY EXPANSION
Visser showed a map of
Lakewood Cemetery noting the expansion area to the northeast.
It will open up 276 more burial sites, which should last about
eight more years. Visser
recommends that we accept the bid from Zeeland Blacktop in the amount of
$4,476.00.
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A
motion was made by Price and supported by Koopman to accept the Lakewood
Cemetery expansion bid from Zeeland Blacktop in the amount of
$4,476.00. |
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PHASE
II STORM WATER AGREEMENT Visser
noted the Phase II Storm water regulations have gone into effect and we
are required to comply with them. The
Drain Commissioner’s Office will do a lot of the work required as
outlined in the agreement. This
is a standard agreement. Without
this agreement we would probably be responsible for everything. MOTION
MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:
A motion was made by VanRaalte and supported by Koopman to enter
into the Phase II Storm Water Agreement. |
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METRO
ACT PERMIT APPLICATION
Visser
noted last month we entered into the Metro Act.
This application is from Brooks Fiber to continue using the
right-of-ways.
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A
motion was made by Marsilje and supported by VanRaalte to grant the Metro
Act permit application for Brooks Fiber Communications of Michigan, Inc. |
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APPOINTMENTS:
A)
Z.B.A.
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A
motion was made by Koopman and supported by VanDyke to reappoint Jim
Hertel to a 2nd three year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A
motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Koopman to reappoint Bret
Docter to a 2nd three year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals.
A)
PLANNING COMMISSION
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A
motion was made by VanRaalte and supported by Price to reappoint Renee
Kolean to a 2nd three year term on the Planning Commission.
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A
motion was made by Marsilje and supported by VanRaalte to appoint Gene
Koopman to a three year term on the Planning Commission as the Board
representative.
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A
motion was made by Koopman and supported by VanRaalte to appoint Janet
Magennis to a three year term on the Planning Commission.
A)
RECREATION
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A
motion was made by Koopman and supported by Marsilje to appoint Amanda
Price on the Recreation Committee. |
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
Visser stated the Board
received a letter from the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department asking us
to increase our share on one of the deputy positions West Ottawa Schools
formally funded at 75% and we funded at 25%.
Due to budget cuts, West Ottawa cannot keep this position.
It was proposed that this position be funded by Holland and Park
Township. The recommendation is that we increase our share of the funding
from 25% to 40% subject to Holland Township approving the other 60%
funding for this particular position.
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A
motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Koopman to fund 40% of the
proposed deputy position subject to Holland Township approving the
remaining 60%.
Price questioned where
the money would come from.
Visser replied it would
come from our police protection millage.
Visser noted it’s been
almost 10 years since we looked at our cable T.V. franchise. It is up for renewal. Visser
and the Treasurer attended a meeting with Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt &
Howlett Attorneys At Law. Visser
stated it would make the most sense and cost the least if we do it
collectively again. Last time
our total cost for doing a new franchise was $2,000. Although prices have gone up, there will be less work
involved this time so the cost will stay about the same. |
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PAYMENT OF BILLS
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A
motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Koopman to approve the check
register for April and the bills to paid for May. |
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ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM
AUDIENCE & BOARD
Earl Welling, Ottawa
County Fair Association, reported that the Flea Market was a tremendous
success. Approximately 5000
people attended and it was well organized.
They are addressing the traffic concern.
Mr. Welling also commented that the Blessing Of The Bikes was also
successful. Good weather was
a major factor, but it was a very organized event.
It was estimated that there were 1200 bikers.
He requested that next years date be April 25.
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A
motion was made by VanDyke and supported by Koopman to approve next years
Blessing Of The Bikes event be held on April 25, 2004.
VanDyke noted a letter
from a resident concerning the south side fairground gate. The entrance is too narrow for her stroller.
He suggested the possibility of giving her a key to a gate her
stroller would fit through. He
is concerned about liability if we take out the metal poles, which were
installed to keep motorbikes out.
Visser
looked into policing the area better.
He noted Officer DeBoer suggested posting a “No Motor Vehicle”
sign would be more beneficial legally, than the posts that are installed.
Welling stated if you
widen the entrance, you might as well just take the poles out. However, he feels this is not the solution.
We may be asking for more problems by trying to solve this one
problem.
Price stated we heard
from one resident about this concern, but we don’t know how many others
this affects.
Welling will take this to
the Fair Board for their recommendation and report back at the next board
meeting. |
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ADJOURN
MOTION MADE, MOTION
SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by VanRaalte and supported by
VanDyke to adjourn. |
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Julie Northrup, Recording
Secretary |
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