The regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on October 9, 2003, at 6 p.m. was called to order by Supervisor Stuart Visser.

Present were Supervisor Stuart Visser, Treasurer Jan Steggerda, Trustees Ed Marsilje, Gene Koopman, Amanda Price and Paul Van Dyke, and Attorney Dan Martin. 

Absent was Clerk Howard Van Raalte

The Treasurer's Report was given as follows:

Beginning Balance, $2,454,784
Receipts,                $270,341
Disbursement,          $113,527
Ending Balance,     $2,611,599

The Zoning Administrator's Report indicated building permits were issued for 5 single-family homes in September and a total of $2,334,000.  

Koopman reported 7 Liquor Inspection reports had been turned in for September.  All establishments were in compliance and good condition. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS

No public comments.

Visser stated the Planning Commission recommended this P.U.D. for final approval.

Visser opened the public hearing.

Todd Paquette, Driesenga & Associates, represented the developers of Sunset Harbor Condominiums.  He gave an overview of the plan and noted the current zoning for this property is R-3, which is consistent with the area.  The project would have 15 building sites.  The entry would be on Lakeshore Drive and was modeled after Bay Meadows.  Also, public water and sewer would come in off Lakeshore Drive.  They did a more creative layout considering the drain of the land as well as limited tree clearance and shared driveways.  The zoning requires 10 feet side yards; their plan would have 25 feet.

Steve King, 2244 Lakeridge Drive, stated his concerns regarding the leasing of these properties.  He would also like to see 50 feet set backs on the backside of the south side units. 

Joe Stam, 345 S. Lakeshore Drive, questioned the time line for when people would start moving in.

Bob Winter, Developer, stated if all goes well they are anticipating spring occupancy.

Visser closed the public hearing.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Koopman to adopt the report tagged as Exhibit B.  Also, grant the request that the project be approved as a planned unit development subject to all the conditions referenced in the attached report.

Koopman gave an overview of the Planning Commission’s perspective on this project.  He noted they chose a 6-month minimum lease, and the road meets the requirements of the Ottawa County Road Commission.    

Visser explained the incomplete roadway is due to delays on a Park Township lift station project.

Niel Sharp, Exxel Engineering, stated the project is complete except for the black top due to the lift station.  The current line of credit expires the end of October.  They are working on a revised dollar amount to cover it to the end of the year.

Van Dyke questioned the problems with the lift station.

Visser explained this is the township's problem.  At the 30 ft. mark we hit silt, which cannot be pumped dry as sand.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Marsilje to grant final approval for the Wildflower Subdivision.

Visser stated this came before the Board last month.  The Planning Commission and subcommittee were asked to take a look at a couple of things for reconsideration.  The two major changes are the formula for determining size has been increased from 1.6% to 1.8% and side yard requirements for parcels between 1 acre and 1.5 acres was reduced from 25 feet to 10 feet. 

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Steggerda to adopt the Zoning Ordinance Amendment Section 4:11 Accessory Buildings.

Price stated the Aviation Board has formed an education committee.  She also reported the results of the Air Affair in August.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Koopman to approve the check register for September and the bills to be paid for October.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE & BOARD

Cecil Williams, 16310 Greenly Street, spoke on behalf of The Friends of Park Township.  Their purpose is to encourage resident participation and voice in managing the changes that are occurring within our area; to connect Park Township and residents to regional issues and planning; and to gain a shared understanding of the township’s future issues.  The first of three forums scheduled will be November 10, 6:45 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Harbor Lights School.  Stuart Visser will join the panel of speakers.

Mark Tucker, Executive Director of the Community Action House, spoke on behalf of the Macatawa Resource Center asking for support for the services they provide.  The funding for Park Township was roughly figured at $10,000 annually.  

Price stated the township has a policy where we would have to contract the money. It cannot be donated.  

Price stated Friday morning (10/10/03) there will be a dedication of the new Tulip City Airport Tunnel.

Visser stated all board members received a copy of a letter and a 1990 memorandum regarding hunting on Lake Macatawa.  

ADJOURN

MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Steggerda to adjourn.