Planning & Zoning Special Mtg Minutes February, 2019

Skanee Townhall

ARVON TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING

February 6, 2019

CALL TO ORDER:  Meeting brought to order at 6:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL AND RECOGNITION OF VISITORS:  Bette Gabe, Chairperson; Keith Erickson,

Township Board Representative; Dorothy Nankervis, Trustee, Jay Loman, Trustee, Mary Deline, Trustee, Linnea Barron, Secretary.  There were 20 visitors, sign up sheet with names is attached with minutes.

PRESENTATION BY BURT MASON, FRIENDS OF THE HURON MOUNTAINS:  Burt Mason

presented a 3-D visual view shed (created in conjunction with Michigan Tech) of large wind turbines if they are erected in L’Anse Township.  The view shed made it clearer how visible the turbines would be from any proposed location in Baraga County as noted on a map of Baraga County.   Burt addressed several questions from those attending.  The feeling from those present was that this was very informative.

Burt also brought a scale model of a proposed wind turbine in comparison to the surrounding trees, buildings, and people.

PUBLIC COMMENT/QUESTIONS:  None.

OLD BUSINESS: 

  1. Utility wind turbines – proposed amendments discussion; wording of and placement in zoning ordinance text.
    1. Height not to exceed 300 feet from tip of blade at its highest point.  Discussion to add to description on page 50, page 80 and page 88 of the Ordinance.
    1. Require a minimum distance of 5-7 miles from shorelines landward of Lake Superior and Huron Bay.  Motion made at January 9, 2019, meeting for 7 miles. This would be added to page 84, property setback, #2, under e.
    1. Require a combination of built-in fire detection system and fire suppression system for each turbine.   This would be added to page 84 under safety as a separate sentence.
    1. Require spacing of utility turbines be at least ½ to 2 miles apart from one another, or use some other measurement?  After discussion Mary made a motion and Jay seconded to have the distance be 1 mile between wind turbines, all approved, motion carried.  This would be stated also on page 84, property setback, #2, under f.
    1. Require “feathering” of blades?  Discussion of why this was necessary for protection of bats who fly at night.  Feathering means the blades would be twisted (angled) from dusk to dawn for more protection of the bats.  Motion made

by Jay and seconded by Keith to add this into the Ordinance.  This would be on page 86, H, #2, Avian and Wildlife Impact, letter a added.

  • Also on page 84, under Safety, a correction was necessary from 20 feet to 75 feet in reference to the minimum blade tip clearance from grade.  (An oversight)
  • There are changes in the ordinance to clarify Utility Buildings.  The zoning administrator should have authority over these and not the planning commission as stated in our zoning book. Corrections to pages 45, 48, 51, 53, 55, and 57.
  • On page 118 in our Ordinance, Article XVII-Administration, Section 1700, should read The provisions of this ordinance….appointed by the Township Board; not Planning Commission. Motion changed this.

NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING DATE – April 10, 2019

ADJOURNMENT:  Jay made a motion to dismiss, seconded by Dorothy, all approved. Adjourned at 7:15 P.M.

Submitted by Linnea Barron, Secretary

Township Board Mtg Minutes, February , 2019

Picture of Landing

FEBRUARY 4, 2019 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER:   Supervisor James Soli called the Regular Board meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. at the Arvon Township fire hall on February 4, 2019.            

ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS PRESENT: James Soli-Supervisor, Krystal Larson-Treasurer, Lisa Marinich-Clerk, Karl Gipp-Trustee, Keith Erickson-Trustee.

MINUTES APPROVAL: Gipp motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve the January 7, 2019 minutes.  All in favor, motion passed.

AGENDA APPROVAL:  Soli requests “Permits” under “New Business.”  With the one addition Gipp motioned, seconded by Larson to approve the agenda.  All in favor, motion passed.     

PUBLIC COMMENT:   Dorothy Nankervis would like to see the Township find a new attorney. Gabe agrees with Nankervis’s comment.  She also let the board know that the Planning Commission will be holding a special meeting on wind turbines on February 6, 2019.

-Tom Kurkowski thanked Soli and Erickson for coming to their house in January.

-Kay Erickson updated the Township website.

OLD BUSINESS:   The Fire Dept. generator will be taken off until they can get a quote for one. -The Land Use Plan is coming along, there are no major changes.

-Vick’s point will be taken off the agenda for now.

NEW BUSINESS: Erickson motioned, seconded by Gipp to approve Rick Snyder for the Townships alternate Building/Zoning inspector.  All in favor, motion passed.

-The Fire Dept. millage has expired.  The Township will have to hold an election May 7, 2019.  On the ballot will be the Fire Dept. operating millage of 1.5 mills for the period of 2019 through 2023, raising an estimated $65,800.00.  Gipp motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve the millage proposal.  All in favor, motion passed.

-The Township Board would like to also put on the ballot a millage of .5 mills for the period of 2019 through 2021 for repairs to the Arvon Township Hall.  First year raising an estimated $21,933.00.  Erickson motioned, seconded by Larson to approve the millage proposal.  All I favor, motion passed. -Ken Anderson sent the board a list of price increases for building permits for the township.   Anderson also added a $250.00 nonrefundable penalty fee if a permit was not obtained before the construction work started.   The board discussed it and increased the penalty fee to $1,000.00, double if attempted twice not to pay for the permits needed.  Erickson motioned, seconded by Gipp to approve the increases.   All in favor, motion passed.

-The Annual/?Budget meeting is set for March 26, 2019 at 5:00 p.m. at the Fire hall.

JAMES FEDIE:  Absent/The Board of Review will be meeting March 11th from 9-3 and March 13 from 3-9.

MAIL CALL:   

 TREASURER’S REPORT: The Treasurer’s Report was the same as last month,  General Fund-$179,381.68

Ambulance/EMT Fund-$29,842.99 Fire Fund-$119,370.16 Liquor Fund-$682.34, Road Fund-$15,289.65. 

Erickson motioned, seconded by Gipp to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  All in favor, motion passed.        

BILL APPROVAL:  Gipp motioned, seconded by Larson to approve the bills.   All in favor, motion passed.            

NEXT MEETING DATE:   The next meeting date will be March 4, 2019 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fire hall.

ADJOURN: Larson motioned, seconded by Erickson to adjourn at 6:30 P.M.  All in favor, motion passed.

Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

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