7:00 P.M.

 

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Mary Ellen Sherwood, Rosemary Rinella, Mike Hiner, Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins, Diane Misze and Lynn Young.

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Scott Hladki.

 

Deputy Supervisor, Stephanie Barrett, called the meeting to order at the Dalton Township Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance said, invocation given and roll call taken.

 

MINUTES:

The Regular Meeting Minutes of December 12, 2005 were accepted as presented and placed on file.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Ross McClosky spoke regarding the proposed new zoning ordinance. He stated that while this is not a perfect document he believes the board needs to adopt this document as it stands at tonight's meeting and make changes on an as needed basis.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

As of December 31, 2005, the General Fund has $8,146.04, Fire Operating Fund has $29,582.31, and Fire Equipment Fund has $19,685.03. There is $267,496.85 in the Co-Merica J-Fund. The Treasurer's Report was accepted and placed on file for audit.

 

MONTHLY BILLS:

Motion by Mike, support by Petsy, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. General Fund payments equaling $26,294.63, Fire Operating Fund $5,499.28, and Cemetery Fund $72.30; and bills were paid from the Building Fund, Street Light Fund and other self supporting miscellaneous funds. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Petsy, Rosemary, Diane, Lynn and Mary Ellen. No: None.

 

FIRE BUSINESS:

Monthly Report: Fire Chief, Gary Furman, submitted the Incident Log for December 2005. Total number of incidents, including exposure fires was 43 with an average response time of 7.72 minutes. Chief Furman presented two different styles of reports and questioned which report the board wishes to receive. He stated the report with names and nature of the call is confidential and only for board members use. Chief Furman also presented the board with an annual report of the fire department and explained the same. Chief stated in 2005 there was 407 calls in Dalton Township with an average response time of 7.08 minutes. Dalton Fire also responded to 66 calls for Cedar Creek Township and 34 assists to other fire departments, adding this is 105 more calls than in 2004.

 

MAINTENANCE REPORT:

Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, stated that winter projects are underway and the new sign for township hall was installed.

 

Transfer Station: Bids were solicited for waste hauling services at the transfer station as the previous contract has expired. Six bids were received, opened at the meeting, and read aloud. After discussion, the bids were given to the maintenance supervisor for review and to make a recommendation to the township board at the next regular meeting.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Lynn, PASSED to have the maintenance supervisor review and make a recommendation to the board at the next regular meeting. Yes: all.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS:

 

A. Petition to regulate and prohibit keyhole developments on lakes and streams.

The attorney prepared an Ordinance titled Keyhole Ordinance which will regulate and prohibit keyhole development and protect the quality of life that exists on the lakes in Dalton Township. The purpose of the ordinance states that Lakes have long been the focus of seasonal and year-round residential development in Michigan. In most cases, the lands around lakes were divided into small parcels and were then utilized for single-family dwellings. As vacant lakefront parcels have become scarce over the years, developers have often utilized one lakefront lot to serve as an access point for several single or multiple family homes even though these homes do not have any direct lake frontage. Often called "keyholing or funneling", this type of development can be detrimental to the existing neighborhood character and natural resources. The regulations in this ordinance will prohibit this type of development and is designed to protect the quality of life that exists on the lakes in Dalton Township.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve the Keyhole Ordinance as presented. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Rosemary, Petsy, Diane, Lynn and Mary Ellen. No: none.

 

B. Request of Cingular Wireless for a Special Use Permit (SUP) for a cell tower to be placed at 291 E. Michillinda Road. (At the Dalton Township Transfer Station property)

A representative of Cingular was present and discussed the details with the board. A change was made in the plans for the location of the drive to be directly off of Michillinda Road. The change was accepted by Cingular.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the Special Use Permit for a wireless communication tower 250 feet high to be placed at 291 Michillinda Road. Parcel Number 61-07-016-100-0001-00. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Rosemary, Petsy, Mike and Mary Ellen. No: none.

 

C. Ordinance amendment request to make the minimum lot size in R-1 Districts one (1) acre. (Currently 8 lots is a buildable lot and is less than ½ acre.)

This item was discussed in detail. Rosemary questioned if this would affect lots in the Village of Lakewood. Stephanie stated that it would not as the village is ruled under separate zoning. Mike stated that he has received calls of concern regarding existing lots. The attorney stated that existing lots, or lots of record, will not be affected. A proposed subdivision-site condo ordinance was discussed. This will address the lot size issue as well. Stephanie stated that smaller lots will still be able to go in if these lots have water and sewer.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to send this item back to the planning commission to look at again, as it is incorporated into the proposed new zoning ordinance and is also incorporated into the subdivision/site condominium ordinance that will be considered by the board at an upcoming meeting. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Diane, Rosemary, Lynn, Petsy and Mary Ellen. No: none.

 

D. Windy Woods Subdivision, final approval, at Michillinda and Dalson Roads.

Mr. Steve Vallier was present on behalf of the developers, and explained that this is final site plan approval. All of the preliminary stages, approvals, and stipulations have been approved and complied with. Mr. Vallier explained that the original plans called for 30 units which has been reduced to 27 units, and he stated that central dispatch has approved the street names and east and west will be added to the street names for clarification. He stated that street lighting and other stipulations have been complied with as recommended by the planning commission. Further discussion followed.

 

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Diane, PASSED to approve the final plans for the Windy Woods Site Condos as recommend by the planning commission, as all stipulations placed by the planning commission have been resolved. Roll call vote. Yes: Mary Ellen, Diane, Rosemary, Mike, Petsy and Lynn. No: none.

 

E. Appoint a member to fill the vacant seat on the Planning Commission.

Stephanie stated that Scott is not present to make his recommendation, so this item will be put on the agenda for the next regular meeting. Mary Ellen asked board members if Scott has spoken to them regarding this appointment. No board members were consulted.

 

F. Draft Zoning Ordinance.

Lengthy discussion took place. This item was discussed at the planning commission and they recommend that the township board approve the zoning ordinance at this meeting. Mike stated that he believes the document should be adopted as the same concerns are being heard over and over. Stephanie stated that she has sent letters to the people who volunteered to be on the advisory committee regarding the proposed zoning ordinance, and stated that she has not received any response to her letter. The attorney stated that it is not a perfect document; however, changes can be incorporated into an adopted ordinance. Petsy stated that the Master Plan needs to be reviewed and amended as well, and this should come first. Petsy and Diane stated that the Master Plan is supposed to be reviewed every five years and it is currently time for this review. Mary Ellen stated that this board promised the citizens a public meeting before the adoption of this document and it should not even be on the agenda for consideration until this meeting is held and the citizens concerns have been heard and addressed to the best of our ability. Ross McClosky was in the audience and spoke stating this document should be adopted tonight. It was questioned who will host such a meeting. Mr. McClosky volunteered to host the meeting. It was decided the board, the planning commission, and the advisory committee, will be present at the meeting and it will be scheduled in the near future. Notice of this meeting will be published, posted, and advertised as much as possible. A place to hold the meeting was discussed. It was decided that a school would be the best option as the buildings are handicapped accessible.

 

REQUEST OF STEVE WOLCOTT FOR PERMISSION TO HOST A THREE-DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL AT THUNDERBIRD RACEWAY THE WEEKEND OF JULY 4th. Discussion took place again regarding this request. Steve Wolcott was present and explained that he would like to hold this multi-day music festival during the week of July 4th. He stated that he believes this event would not need security. Mary Ellen stated this is not a permitted use in the agricultural, and that the raceway was there before the current zoning and this is the reason they are allowed to operate. The attorney stated that Mr. Wolcott can request that the board amend the ordinance to allow for this type of activity, stating that this however, takes time. Mr. Wolcott questioned if he would be wasting time to make this request or should he look for another place to hold this festival/concert. It was the consensus of most board members that he take the concert to another location. No action was taken.

 

OPEN BIDS FOR TWO LOTS OF PROPERTY OWNED BY DALTON TOWNSHIP:

Only one bid was received for the property in the amount of $600.00. The property is described as Minnehaha Beach Lots 07-620-000-0089-00 and 07-20-000-0091-00 as requested by Robert Terberg of Livonia, MI. Some sale price comparisons were submitted. Discussion followed.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Petsy, PASSED to reject the bid. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Petsy, Lynn, Rosemary, Mike and Mary Ellen. No: none.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

A proposed special meeting of the board was discussed to meet with Johnson and Anderson, Engineers, (J&A) in reference to the proposed sewer project on Whitehall Road. This will be an informational session so that J & A can update the board regarding this project. The proposed date and time of this meeting will be at 6:30 before the next regular township board meeting if this time and date is accommodating for all parties.

 

Township Attorney, James Porter, stated that he is resigning from the firm of Bauckham, Sparks, Rolfe, Lohrstorfer & Thall, P.C., and will be working out of an office at Oshtemo Charter Township Hall in Kalamazoo County. He stated that the board will be receiving a letter questioning if Dalton Township would like to stay with the firm mentioned, or if the board wants to retain his services without belonging to the firm as had been the case. He explained the reasons why he is leaving the firm, and stated that he has not been giving clients the time needed and not responding in a timely manner. He stated that in the future, he should have more time for clients and be able to maintain rates. He stated the board will need to make a formal decision in the near future regarding this issue. Stephanie thanked Mary Ellen for the revenue/expense reports that she provided to the board. Lynn spoke of the governance academy degree that she will soon be granted and she spoke of the projects that are required for this degree. Stephanie stated that there have only been two people to graduate from the academy and Diane Misze and Lynn Young both trustees of Dalton are the two graduates. Lynn spoke of her projects which include an organizational chart for general law townships, as we are, explaining the electorate, the boards, commissions, etc. Lynn also provided a large copy of the same for display in the board room. She discussed another project which she will be undertaking which will place a message board outside of the township hall with information regarding township happenings. She stated that she and Diane will keep the message board updated with current information.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Robert Grant made comments in reference to the bids for waste removal. Ross McColsky stated again, that he is willing to host the upcoming public meeting for the proposed zoning ordinance. He stated that he needs the water table study. Stephanie stated that this will be provided. Concerns regarding the new proposed zoning were again discussed, including R-C zoning being changed to R-1. Lynn was assured that anyone who now has horses can continue to have them under the new ordinances even if there is a change in ownership of the land. Other concerns were discussed as well. Hunting in an R-1 District was discussed and the attorney stated that this is not controlled by township zoning, this is controlled by state law and hunting is allowed. However, no hunting is allowed within 400 feet from any dwelling. Former Muskegon County Treasurer, John Koens, was present and stated that he is working for Senator Jerry VanWoerkom's office and is keeping in touch with municipalities in the area. He stated to call him with any concerns, comments, etc. Ron Hodges of Hodges Hall on Whitehall Road was present again requesting an update of happenings regarding the proposed sewer expansion on Whitehall Road, as his business is limited without sewer. Stephanie stated that she will contact Terry with Johnson and Anderson to set up another meeting. Steve Ellis was present again expressing his interest in resolving legal matters with the township. The attorney stated that he has recently sent Mr. Ellis a letter regarding this issue. The contents of the letter were briefly discussed. Mary Ellen requested that all board members receive a copy of this letter. Discussion followed.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to adjourn at 8:31 p.m.

 

DALTON TOWNSHIP BOARD

Scott Hladki Supervisor

Mary Ellen Sherwood Clerk

Rosemary Rinella Treasurer

Michael Hiner Trustee

Elizabeth Jenkins Trustee

Diane Misze Trustee Lynn Young Trustee

 

Clerk__________________________

Mary Ellen