FRIENDSHIP TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING
WEDNESDAY, JULY 6, 2005 @ 7:00 PM
@ Friendship Township Hall
Meeting called to order by Supervisor at 7:00 pm. Board members present were Major, Troup, Scott, Van Divner and Ward.

Minutes of the June meeting stood approved as presented.
Treasurer’s report received.
Clerk presented quarterly budget report.

-Scott moved, Ward seconded, PASSED, to move $484 from Contingency to Election line item. (5-0)

Note: Tour of Wind Generators in Mackinaw City scheduled for August 17, 2005.
August 3, 2005 @ 6:30 @ Twp hall the County Extension will give short presentation on Groundwater Hydrology and Contamination. All welcome to attend.

-Scott moved, Major seconded, PASSED, to appoint Greg Putalik to Recreation Committee (5-0).
-Van Divner moved, Major seconded, PASSED, to approve motion requesting the change of RR-2 to FF-2 east of M-119 as stated in June 27, 2005 Planning Commission minutes, as follows:

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 rezoning all or part of the RR-2 district east of the SR-2 district east of M-119 to FF-2 (with the exception of platted parcels in said area), making it match the adjoining properties in Readmond Township.
The board authorizes Scott to sign the County application for Zoning Action form. (5-0)
-Scott moved, Major seconded, PASSED, to approve contract with Emmet County Road Commission for asphalt wedging and graveling edges of W. Townline Road, at an estimated cost of $105,000 and that the township’s allocation be applied to the project costs, and that Scott be authorized to sign said contract. (5-0)
-Van Divner moved, Ward seconded, PASSED, to approve crack sealing of # 7 and # 6 rds, up to a total summer project of $146,000 (including W. Townline wedging) (5-0).

Scott presented proposed notice to property owners on South Hurd Lane regarding special assessment for dust control. Board okayed it for mailing. (attached)

Troup checked bills and checks for accuracy.
Scott moved, Major seconded, PASSED, to approve payment of bills. Checks # 5027-5047 were written in the amount of $9,903.83.

Meeting adjourned at 9:43 p.m.


Janell Van Divner, Clerk
Min0705.wps
Minutes 070605.doc