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Planning Commission Qtrly Meeting Minutes, April 10, 2025

Thursday, April 10, 2025 at 6 PM

Call to Order:
Roll Call:
✓ Nancy Strohschein (Chair)
✓ Joe Bollech
✓ Bob Janda (Township Board Rep)
✓ John Salisbury
o Jay Loman (Zoning Board of Appeals Chair) – Absent with notice
o Donna Preston – Absent with notice
Recognition of visitors: 30 individuals signed in for the meeting. Buddy Sweeney, Zoning Administrator was present.
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
Comments on agenda: None
Approval of agenda: Motion: Bob Janda, Second: Joe Bollech. Approved
Approval of minutes from January 9, 2025 quarterly meeting: Motion: Bob Janda, Second: John Salisbury. Approved
Public comments: Chairman Nancy Strohschein explained that this is the regular quarterly meeting of the Arvon Township Planning Commission (PC) and regular business would be performed. Rodrigo and Beth Oyarzun are present to provide information to the Planning Commission and the public on their plans for developing a resort on Point Abbaye. At this meeting, there will be questions asked by the PC but not from the public. A future public hearing will be scheduled to allow the public to ask questions. No public comments at this time.
Presentation:
Rodrigo and Beth Oyarzun from Four Winds Lodge presented their proposed plans for a resort on Pointe Abbaye. The PC members received printed materials

  1. Introductory letter with information on the Phase 1 (Immediate Plan) and Phase 2 (Long-Term Plan)
  2. Certificate of Survey of the property from 2000
  3. A site plan listing 6 lots and proposed placement of geodesic dome, well, privy, sauna and hot tub
  4. Schematics from FDOMES for a proposed 22+ ft dome with square footage of 397.5. This document included cross-sections showing a bathroom and kitchen in the dome, multiple elevations and deck structural design.
  5. Satellite images of the properties with adjacent property owner names included
  6. Seven pages of correspondence and site evaluations from Western UP Health Department from 2022.
  7. A soil map image from USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service from 2022.
    Rodrigo showed images of the lots currently and a video if how it could look in the future. He fielded several questions on the current state of the project, the marketing website currently in use, the public interest in this type of resort and his dedication to conservation.
    After the presentation, Rodrigo and Beth took time outside the Fire Hall location to talk with the public and answer further questions.

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Chairman Comments:

  1. Notes from Monday 4/7 Board Meeting – Nancy reviewed the information from the 4/7/2025 Township Board Meeting that is relevant to the PC.
  2. PC Member terms
    a. Joe Bollech – 1 Year, expires June 2025
    b. Bob Janda – per term on township board
    c. Jay Loman – 10/2024, 3 years, expires 10/2027
    d. Donna Preston – 10/03/2022, 3 years, expires /10/03/2025
    e. John Salsbury – October 2024, 3 years, expires October 2027
    f. Nancy Strohschein – August, 2024, 3 years, expires August 2027

Old Business:

  1. Planning commission comments/concerns – None
  2. Bob Janda: Report from Township Board Rep – None
  3. Jay Loman: Report from Zoning Board of Appeals – Jay was not present to give an update
  4. Buddy Sweeney: Report from Zoning Administrator – Buddy stated there are a couple issues in the township that may need Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) involvement. We have non-confirming lots and a request to put up buildings without the required lot line setbacks. Buddy is working with the property owners on a resolution within the Zoning Ordinance. The ZBA will need to consider the issue of accessory structures too close to the lake shore on Skanee Rd. Nancy will contact Jay Loman and inform him that he needs to convene a meeting of the ZBA on this matter.
  5. Plans for 2025 Quarterly Meetings:
    o Review Master Plan – April 2025
    o Review Recreation Plan – July 2025
    o Track any changes needed
  6. Tracking Zoning Ordinance Changes – We have only one change to the ZO needed at this time. We will wait to see if other changes need to be made before making any updates.
    o Change 1: Use of campers on property for occasional use.

New Business:

  1. Proposal from Four Winds Property LLC for resort on Pointe Abbaye – The PC set a date for the Public Hearing on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at 6 PM at the Fire Hall.
  2. Minimum acreage for Forest Resource in Ordinance – Members reviewed the information
    provided on a possible discrepancy in the ZO regarding Forest Resource minimum acreage. The PC discussed this and looked back at the old ZO for background. This may become a second change to the ZO to track. Nancy will ask Jay Loman if he recalls why this change was made. See the attached document with fact finding on this matter.
  3. Review of Master Plan for updates. Sections specifically reviewed for updates. – All sections of the Master Plan were reviewed by the PC. We find no need to make changes at this time. For the section on goals, we acknowledged that they are very lofty and we may want to make them more “down to earth” with the next revision. Some of the items in the goals have been accomplished or determined. For example, Goal 2 talks about dust control. The Township Board has determined that the Township will not manage or facilitate dust control procedures. In Section 5.5, the update should state that Beesley Rd is no longer partially paved as the asphalt was ground up last year to improve the surface.

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a. 1.0 Introduction
b. 2.0 Social Characteristics
c. 3.0 Economic Characteristics
i. 3.4 Economic Development Strategies
ii. 3.5 Future Development Considerations
d. 4.0 Natural Resources
e. 5.0 Existing Land Use
i. 5.1 Introduction
ii. 5.5 Transportation & Roads

  1. Beesley is no longer partially paved
    f. 6.0 Community Services Recreation & Culture
    g. 7.0 Public Participation
    h. 8.0 Goals & Objectives – Make the G&O less lofty
    i. Goal 1: Natural Resources and Character
    ii. Goal 2: Transportation – Clarify Dust Control
    iii. Goal 3: Recreation
    iv. Goal 4: Housing
    v. Goal 5: Public Service, Government and Infrastructure
    vi. Goal 6: Environment
    i. 9.0 Future Land Use & Zoning Plan
    j. 10.0 Plan Implementation & Adoption
  2. Handling of Emblad non-conformance/setback – Nancy and Buddy updated the PC on the
    current situation with the accessory structure being too close to the shoreline. Nancy will inform Jay Loman to review the necessary process and schedule a ZBA meeting to move the issue forward.
    Topics for Next Meeting:
  3. PC Education – Understand the ZBA process
  4. Review Recreation Plan
    Upcoming meetings:
  • July 10, 2025
    Adjourn: – The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 PM

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