FRIENDSHIP TOWNSHIP
BOARD MEETING
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2004 @ 7:00 P.M.
@ Friendship Township Hall

Meeting called to order by Supervisor Scott. Board members present were Mottl, Donahey, Ward, Van Divner and Scott.

Minutes of the October meeting stood approved as presented.
Treasurer’s report received.

Middle Village Park report given by G. Abent.

Scott moved, Mottl seconded, PASSED, to re-appoint Wilbur Kurburski, Cynthia Donahey and Sam Trufant to 3 yr terms on the Friendship Township Planning Commission, said terms to expire September 30, 2007. (5-0)

County Case 60A-04 Schlaff request for 25 foot front setback variance-
Van Divner moved, Donahey seconded, PASSED, to recommend approval of the variance request with following conditions:
1. that existing driveway into garage be removed and area landscaped as indicated on drawing; and
2. that the two parcels be combined into one parcel for tax and assessing purposes. (5-0)


County Case 71-04 Request for site plan review to construct a retaining wall (replacement)
Donahey moved, Mottl seconded, to accept Friendship Township Planning Commission’s recommendation as written, the wording of said motion as follows:
Move to approve request for the following reasons:
1. Replacing an existing wall, which is deteriorating;
2. There is a sealed engineered plan for wall construction;
with the following requirements:
1. Change the construction note from “No trees as shown to be removed,” to “No trees to be removed.”
2. Approval of Soil Erosion Officer. (5-0)

The Friendship Township Planning Commission is sponsoring another Zoning Panel Presentation on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 @ 7:00 p.m. Guests include Bill Dohm, Little Traverse Township, Denny Keiser, Bear Creek Township, Alice Conrad, Springvale Township and hopefully someone from Resort Township.

Donahey moved, Mottle seconded, PASSED, to propose changing the RR2 zoning East of M-119 to FF-2 by the following motion:

Whereas, contiguous properties in adjacent county-zoned township are FF-2;

whereas, the majority of attendees at two, well-publicized town meetings specifically on this topic agreed that the density in RR-2 (1/2 acre) is higher than desired;

whereas, the township Master Plan calls strongly for keeping the rural character of the township;

whereas, the township Master Plan specifically states as a goal that the RR-2 area be changed back to FF-2;

whereas, we have long-time residents who indicate they and many others were not in favor of the RR-2 designation when it was made and voiced this opinion at the township level;

whereas, we can find no one to support or give any reasons for why the change was made to RR-2 other than a recent (within the past year) memo from M. Putters surmising perhaps a buffer between SR-2 and FF-2, which does not seem to have much credibility as a reason after investigation. (It is actually a non-buffer as far as density goes: .69 acre lots to 1/2 acre lots to 2 acre lots.)

whereas, we have no other tool under current zoning to achieve the lower density desired by the residents of the township;

Therefore, because this is the best and most expedient tool currently available in the zoning code to address the density issues (1/2 acre lots vs. 2 acre lots), we propose changing the RR-2 district east of M-119 back to FF-2, making it match the adjoining properties in Readmond Township. (5-0)
Township Minutes
November 3, 2004
Page 2

April Cameron presented proposed private road named “Apple Lane” for road entering State Road north of Middle Village Drive.
Donahey moved, Scott seconded, PASSED, to recommend a different name in that there is Thornapple Lane nearby, which could be confused with Apple Lane in a 911 situation. (5-0)

Election results: Supervisor-Dale Scott, Clerk-Janell Van Divner, Treasurer-Marie Ward, Trustees – Fred Troup and Al Major.

The Board sincerely thanks Cynthia Donahey for her 5 years of service and Norm Mottl for his 1 yr of service.

Mottl reviewed checks and bills for accuracy.

Scott moved, Van Divner seconded, PASSED, to pay bills. Checks # 4825-4855 were written in the amount of $36,983.08. (5-0)

Meeting adjourned at 9:40 p.m.


Janell Van Divner, Clerk


Minutes 1104.doc