Arvon Township Planning Commission Work Session
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Call to Order: 6 p.m.
Roll Call: Nancy Strohschein, Chairperson; Linnea Barron, Secretary; Bob Janda, Township Board Representative; Robert Lindert, Vice Chairperson; Jay Loman, Board of Review Chairperson; Donna Preston; Ken Anderson, Zoning Administrator. Absent: Joe Bollech due to illness.
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
Guests: Jason McCarthy, consultant.
Approval of Agenda: Jay made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Bob. Motion carried.
Approval of minutes of July 20, 2023, work session: Donna made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Bob. Motion carried.
Agenda:
I. Recreation Plan
A. Final draft reviewed with a few minor changes that Jason will take care of. No comments from the public on the review period of the draft going on. One printed copy was utilized.
B. Public hearing will be on September 7, 2023. In this open meeting, Jason McCarthy will introduce what a recreation plan is and why we need it and why it requires updating every five (5) years. Nancy will provide the background for this recreation plan. The Planning Commission will hear public comments and changes can be amended to the plan. There will be a roll-call vote to adopt by the Planning Commission. The adopted plan will be presented to the Arvon Township Board on September 11, 2023, for resolution of concurrence.
II. Ordinance Update
A. Definition for signs. Jason suggested that signs be of professional design. Jason proposed a new definition for signs which reads: Any object, device, display, structure, or part thereof, situated outdoors, which is used to advertise, identify, display, direct, or attract attention to an object, person, situation, organization, business, product, service, event, or location by any means, including words, letters, figures, designs, symbols, fixtures, colors, illumination, or projected images, in accordance with the adopted Arvon Township standards found in Section 1509 of this ordinance.
B. Definition for fences. Jason proposed a new definition that reads: An artificial structure forming a physical barrier between two areas and constructed of chain-link, vinyl, masonry, lumber, or any other manufactured material in accordance with the adopted Arvon Township standards found in Section 1506 of this ordinance.
C. Erosion control. Jason supplied a new definition from the state website for High-Risk Erosion Area (HREA), which reads: Shorelines of the Great Lakes where the land is receding at a rate of one foot or more per year for a minimum of 15 years. Recession rates change over time as water levels fluctuate and costal conditions change. Approximately 250 miles of shoreline are designated as high-risk erosion areas along the shorelines of Lakes Michigan, Superior and Huron. The below Arvon Township map shows the locations for each of the areas. Note: A permit is required for any regulated land use on a parcel in a HREA. HREAs are regulated by the Administrative Rules of Part 323, Shorelands Protection and Management of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, as amended. Jason added that the permit is from the state.
D. Schedule for Ordinance completion: Jason suggested that this should be done by the end of the year with review process and public hearing. Month by month: New uses installed by end of September. General regulations in October. November would be review process and public hearing in December.
III. Next meetings: Recreation Plan Public hearing on Thursday, September 7, 2023, at 6 p.m. Monday, September 11, 2023, 6 p.m., Township Board meeting to adopt recreation plan. September 21, 2023, 6 p.m. work session. Next quarterly meeting on October 11, 2023, 6 p.m.
Adjourn: Robert made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Donna. Motion carried.
Submitted by Linnea Barron, Secretary