Little Traverse Township Zoning Board Meeting
March 7, 2005 7:30 P.M.


Chairman Joe Chattaway called the meeting to order at 7:38 P.M...

Roll call:
Jean Beckley, absent Joe Chattaway, present John Johnson, present
Ed Shepherd, present Marty Van Berlo, present
Also present: Bill Dohm, Randy Frykberg, Jane Taylor, Eliza Seltzer, Amanda DeNise, Connie Tanner and Brent Billideau.

Minutes of February7, 2005
A motion to approve the minutes of February 7, 2005 was offered by Van Berlo and supported by Chattaway. Approved by voice vote.

Case #B-1-2005
Sign Plan Review for Harbor Park Wendy’s, Marathon Station, Car Wash, & Convenient Store.
Randy Frykberg reviewed the case with the Board. He said Harbor Park Market has submitted the sign plan for the four businesses (Convenience store, fast food restaurant, gas station and car wash) at 3473 M-119. The request is for a 75 square foot free standing sign. Section 1308, sub.1, of the Zoning Ordinance allows the Zoning Board to permit this size sign. The requested height of this sign is 25 feet.
It was also noted there would be a 31.5 square foot sign on the Wendy’s building facing M-119, the market will have a 30 square foot sign on the side facing M-119 and an 18 square foot sign on the north side facing the gas pumps, the car wash will have a 24.9 square foot sign on the front of the car wash building facing M-119. Each drive will have a 4.3 square foot directional sign indicating entrance or exit. These are allowed signs in the B-2 district.
John Johnson said he had driven around the area to several Wendy’s and they are extremely well lit, so much so that you can not miss seeing them.
Joe Chattaway asked Jack Zaremski, representative for the project, what the problem with a 20 foot sign rather than the 25 foot as requested.
Bill Dohm asked if the sign was internally lit and was told it was.
Marty Van Berlo said he had checked out the sign heights in the close area and none of the signs exceed 20 feet. He felt 25 feet was just too tall.
Jack Zaremski said he could be happy with the 20 foot height allowance.
Chairman Chattaway asked for Public Comment.
Brent Billideau asked if we aren’t trying to do away with Billboards. He felt the zoning ordinance should be adhered to with no deviation at any time. He said when you start making exceptions to the rules it just goes on and on.
Randy Frykberg explained the Zoning Boards function relative to signs.
Bill Dohm said the sign portion of the Ordinance allows reviews similar to a PUD.
Jack Zaremski noted the sign will be set back 10 feet from the Right of Way so it will not block view even with the sign dropped down 5 feet.
John Johnson asked what the bottom sign portion would be and was told by Jack Zaremski that it is a scrolling marquee, interior lit and with no flashing lights.
A motion to approve the modified sign plan at 20 feet in height for Harbor Park Market, Wendy’s, Carwash and Gas Station at 3473 M-119 9 Parcel # 24-08-16-22-100-004). It is appropriate due to the multiple businesses in the unit. Support came from Shepherd. Roll call vote: Johnson, yes: Shepherd, yes: Van Berlo, yes: Chattaway, yes: Beckley absent. Motion carried.

Case #B-2-2005
Preliminary review of site plan for Emmet County DPW transfer stations & recycle center upgrade.
Randy Frykberg said this is a preliminary review of the site plan for the DPW Transfer Station and recycle center upgrading. The state law requires yard waste not to go to landfill and this plan will take care of it.
Eliza Seltzer (DPW) and Amanda Denise (NDC) explained the proposed additions and changes. They showed changes in the entrance, additional areas to be created for composting, metal, wood, tires, lawn debris and yard waste. They noted they meet the 300 foot required set back from Pleasantview Road for the Transfer Station and the 100 foot requirement for composting from Duvernay Lane. They felt with the changes in the entrance drive the traffic in and out of the Transfer Station would move more smoothly and with less waiting to dispose of trash and recycling materials. Ms. Seltzer said now we recycle about 20 % and once this project is complete we will be up to 40%. She told the Board this Transfer Station is being used as a model for others in the State.
Randy Frykberg noted this project is a Special Use and a Public Hearing for this will be held in April at the next Zoning Board meeting.

Discuss opening the Township Master Plan in 2005 for possible updating.
Chairman Chattaway wanted the Board to consider looking at the pros and cons of opening the Master Plan. Some of the issues under consideration were the Airport Protection Plan, Conditional Zoning, Future Land Use Map, Wellhead Protection Program, Recreation Plan and Homeland security issues and purchase of Development Rights.
Randy Frykberg said with the States possible action of combining the Planning and Zoning Laws for cities and townships, it might be wise to look at the changes before going ahead with any decisions on our Master Plan. He said we can choose not to open it now but it can be opened at any time we choose to do so in the future.
Connie Tanner wanted affirmation that no other decisions other than those listed were going to be discussed.
Bill Dohm told her the Public can have input and other issues would be entertained.
Joe Chattaway said we are not locked into just those issues listed.

Public Comment
There was no other public comment.

Adjourn
The meeting was adjourned at 8:25 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Taylor

Administrative Assistant