Summary
The Glen Arbor Township Planning Commission met on December 5, 2024, with Chairman Lance Roman presiding. The Commission approved the November meeting minutes, heard reports from the Township Board and Zoning Administrator, and discussed several ordinance revision items without taking formal action. No public comments were received.
Public Comments
No public comments were made at either point in the meeting where comments were invited.
Infrastructure Projects
Board liaison Bob Hawley reported that the Township Board has completed phase 3 of the firehouse project, including evaluation of remodeling women's washrooms and sleeping quarters. The Township is also obtaining bids to repave the parking lot. Separately, a Narcan box will be installed behind the Town Hall.
Zoning Administrator Tim Cypher reported on the Fisher Store (Ames) project: the applicant lacks a Road Commission permit and needs a survey to relocate a well. A proposed property line adjustment would split the parcel across zoning districts, raising concerns about insufficient parking. The Health Department approved a small site plan and the relocation of the drain field to the owner's second lot. MDOT approved the parking location but will not allow the parking lot to be enlarged. The Commission discussed these issues but took no formal action.
Other Business
Community members requested lowering the speed limit on Road 675 from 55 to 45 mph; the Township rejected this after a Road Commission study showed an average speed of 48 mph.
Under Master Plan Review, Cypher will provide demographic data at the January meeting.
The Commission reviewed several proposed Zoning Ordinance (ZO5.1) revisions:
- Item #3, Keyholing: Bob Ihme presented a map and suggested exempting resort and commercial businesses from the ordinance. No action taken.
- Item #4, Accessory Buildings: Commission discussed removing certain definitions; Roman will revisit this item in January.
- Item #5, Shipping Container Use: Discussed, no action taken.
- Punch list items (Keyholing, Accessory Buildings, Shipping Container Use, Accessory Dwelling Units/Frogs, Solar and Wind): No action taken on any item.
The Zoning Board of Appeals had nothing on its agenda. Commission members closed with holiday greetings before adjourning at 9:15 PM.
Action Items
- Cypher to provide demographic data for the Master Plan Review at the January meeting.
- Roman to revisit the Accessory Buildings ordinance item (ZO5.1 #4) at the January meeting.
- Ordinance punch list items (Keyholing, Accessory Buildings, Shipping Container Use, ADUs/Frogs, Solar and Wind) remain pending with no action taken.