Author: ArvonJewel

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Planning Commission Qtly Meeting Minutes, October 10, 2024

Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
Roll Call – Present Nancy Strohschein (Chair), Joe Bollech, Bob Janda (Township Board Rep)
Robert Lindert (Vice Chair & Secretary), Jay Loman (Zoning Board of Appeals Chair)
Donna Preston, John Salsbury- Absent with Notice, Buddy Sweeney (Zoning Administrator)
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
Introductions/Guests:
Approval of Agenda: Bob motioned, Donna seconded
Approval of minutes of July 11, 2024 Quarterly Meeting: Jay motioned, Bob seconded.
Chairman Comments:

  1. Welcome John Salsbury as newest PC member.
  2. Notes from Monday 10/7 Board Meeting
    a. Nancy gave an in-depth update from the meeting. Board meeting minutes are
    available on website or in office.
  3. PC Member terms:
    a. Joe Bollech – 1 Year, expires June 2025
    b. Bob Jana – per term on township board
    c. Robert Lindert – 01/03/2022, 3 years, expires 01/03/2025
    d. Jay Loman – Through August 2027
    e. Donna Preston – 10/03/2022, 3 years, expires 10/03/2025
    f. Nancy Strohschein – August 2024, 3 years, expires August 2027
    g. John Salsbury – October 2024, 3 years, expires October 2027
    Old Business:
  4. Planning Commission comments/concerns
    a. Donna wasn’t present at most of our meetings. She would like to be on record
    saying we did a great job.
  5. Bob Janda: Report from Township Board
    a. Reviewed meeting where Zoning Ordinance was adopted.
    b. Made clarifications on blight – we do NOT have a blight ordinance.
  6. Buddy Zoning Update – None
    2
  7. Jay Loman: Report from Zoning Board of Appeals
    a. Jay summarized Elmblad dispute. Nothing we can do because setbacks are
    through EGLE regarding Lake Superior.
  8. Recreation
    a. Lisa has not uploaded the recreation plan to the website yet. Needs more
    information from us.
  9. Updated ZO:
    a. Approve minutes from August 22 2024 public hearing
    i. Jay motioned, Bob seconded.
    New Business:
  10. Posting PC Minutes on website and placing in office files
    a. Robert to print out all minutes he has and leave in Fire Hall for Lisa.
    b. Nancy to fill in with her minutes when Robert was out.
  11. PC Education from the MTA Planning and Zoning Guide
    a. Buddy to present, but he is absent. Pushed to next quarterly meeting.
  12. Set 2025 Quarterly Meeting dates
    a. 2
    nd Thursday in January, April, July, and October.
    Topics for Next Meeting:
  13. PC Education – Part 6 by Buddy
    Upcoming Meetings:
  • Quarterly Meeting January 9
    th 2025 @ 6:00pm
    Adjourn: Robert motioned, Donna seconded. 6:48pm
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Public Hearing on Zoning Ordinance, August 22, 2024


Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Pledge of Allegiance: Done
Roll Call
Nancy Strohschein (Chair) – Absent with notice, Joe Bollech – Present
Bob Janda (Board Rep) – Present, Robert Lindert (Vice Chair & Secretary) – Absent with notice, Jay Loman (Board of Appeals Chair) – Present, Acting Chair
Donna Preston – Present, Acting Secretary
Introductions:

  • Jason McCarthy, Consultant, Northwoods Planning and Zoning
  • Buddy Sweeney, Zoning Administrator
    Arvon Residents Present:
  • Sue Bollech
  • Jason Emblad
  • Jay Emblad
  • Angie Emblad
  • John Salsbury
  • Kathy Salsbury
    Approval of Agenda: Motion by Donna, Second by Bob. Approved
    Agenda:
    I. Public Comment on Agenda Items – Public comments will be taken after the
    presentation by Jason McCarthy
    II. Chairman Comments – Acting Chair Jay Loman had no comments
    III. Presentation of revised Zoning Ordinance by Jason McCarthy, Northwoods Planning &
    Zoning
    A. Jason stated the tasks for the Zoning Ordinance update were to update the
    zoning, preserve rural character, address new housing alternatives such as tiny homes,
    geodesic domes and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
    B. There were no changes to maps, except for district names. Live hyperlinks were
    added to provide additional information on line. Language was modernized.
    C. Changes made to each article were discussed by Jason. The most important
    changes were read to the public.
    2
  • Article 2: Definitions for ADU, blight, dark sky lighting, duplex, EMC, fence,
    geodesic dome, greenbelt, High Risk Erosion Areas (HREA), mining, mineral
    extraction, nuisance, recreational structure, Recreational Vehicle (RV),
    shipping containers, Short Term Rental (STR), signs, tiny home, utility building
  • Article 3: Changed to 6 districts. Added STR and tiny homes to be allowed.
    Included 40-foot setback for non-inhabitable structures such as sheds and
    saunas.
  • Articles 4 through 9: No significant changes
  • Article 10: Jason presented changes to Tables 1 & 2
  • Article 12: Added fire safety zone of 10 feet. Defined parking spaces for
    ADU, fence location on property line, outdoor lighting, noise. A new section
    for signs was added. HREA updated to reflect the law. Temporary uses
    better defined. Section 1217 addressed ADUs, cargo containers and shortterm rentals. The changes made to STRs were done to ensure safety to
    everyone who lives or stays in the Township.
  • Article 13: No changes made
  • Article 15: Clerical changes from Board of Appeals to Zoning Board of
    Appeals (ZBA)
  • Articles 15 through 18: No substantial changes. Updated language and
    terminology. Added hyperlinks.
    IV. Public Comment:
    A. John and Kathy Salsbury expressed concern about blight on their street. Jason
    acknowledged their concern and stated that control of blight is not done in the Zoning
    Ordinance, but must be enacted by the Township Board.
    B. Jason Emblad stated the website needs to be clarified about setback
    requirements for utility buildings. The setback from water’s edge is not clear in the
    current Zoning Ordinance. His comments were acknowledged. The updated ZO is
    clearer in this area, since the setback info has been included in the articles instead of
    only in the definition.
    C. Jason Emblad appreciated the section on signs.
    D. Jason Emblad asked about the county road easement which states that no
    building may be done within the 33-foot easement from the center of the road plus 30
    feet from the property line, which means no building can be done within 63 feet of the
    road center line. He asked how long this has been in place. Jay and Buddy answered
    that this has been in place “for a while” and is not new with this Ordinance change or
    the one adopted in 2022.
    E. Jason Emblad asked if STRs are allowed near the fire hall. Jay stated that there
    are STRs on the lake front, but not in the Business District.
    F. Jason Emblad asked how the process for a variance is done. Jason covered the
    steps that involve calling a meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).
    G. The public hearing portion of the meeting concluded at 7:10 PM
    3
    V. Planning Commission discussion
    Motion to proceed to adopt the revised Zoning Ordinance as presented, with minor
    typographical error corrections made by Jay, second by Bob. Roll call vote:
  • Jay Loman: yes
  • Donna Preston: yes
  • Bob Janda: Yes
  • Joe Bollech: Yes
    VI. Define Next Steps:
    A. Inform board that the updated Zoning Ordinance will be presented for their
    adoption at the October, 2024 meeting. The board needs to place a notice in the
    paper to advertise that the revised ZO will be discussed and potentially adopted
    at the October meeting.
    B. Jason will submit to Western Upper Peninsula Planning & Development Region
    office (WUPPDR) for review and comment. They have 30 days to comment.
    C. Jason will complete the document, including table of content and appendices
    and send to Nancy Strohschein for placement on the Arvon Township website.
    D. No other Planning Commission meetings are necessary at this time.
    VII. Adjourn: Motion to adjourn made by Jay, seconded by Donna. Motion approved.
    VIII. Adjourned at 7:15 PM
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Planning Commission Work Session July 17, 2024

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
Roll Call
Nancy Strohschein (Chair), Joe Bollech, Bob Janda (Board Rep)
Robert Lindert (Vice Chair & Secretary), Jay Loman (Board of Appeals Chair)
Donna Preston, Buddy Sweeney (Zoning Admin)
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
Introductions/Guests: Jay Fish, Supervisor
Approval of Agenda: Robert motioned, Donna seconded.
Approval of minutes of June 26, 2024 Work Session meeting: bob motioned, Jay seconded.
Agenda:
I. Chairman comments – PC membership change.
A. PC agrees staying at 7 would be ideal since Donna leaves for the winter, and
other members may be busy at times.
II. Recreation Committee/Plan
A. Nancy asked Lisa to upload Rec Plan at the July board meeting
B. Jay Loman – Any conversation with Scott Lloyd? — Tabled
C. Jason McCarthy – Info sent to Lisa Marinich? — Tabled
III. Ordinance Update
A. Review of final draft from Jason.

  • Move all of Article 1202 section 2 letter D into Article 2 (definitions). We feel
    it’s best to have all the definitions in one spot.
  • Found various other things that needed correction. Made the corrections and
    sent these to Jason.
  • We agreed that we want Jason to mention in the public input session about
    the change of zoning districts. Also mention the changes to the various
    tables. Highlight tables names for tables that had content changed.
  • Running through the entire ZO took the majority of our meeting.
    B. Schedule next steps
    C. Final steps for ZO update
  • Receive final compiled document – Jason to provide after PC review of entire
    document before next meeting. Jason will update the table of contents and
    make sure all hyperlinks work.
    2
  • Publication on website – We need to provide at least 30 days access to the
    updated version before the public hearing.
  • Notice in paper (verbiage from Jason) – target 45 days’ notice and include a
    summary of major changes in paper. Possibly publish in early July.
  • Summary of changes – Jason will provide this for the public hearing.
  • Print copies for public input session
  • Schedule public hearing – Probably in August
  • Jason to attend hearing and present to the public.
  • Resolutions from Jason
    IV. Next meetings
    A. August 20th or August 22nd at 6:00pm, Public Input Session
    B. Township Board Meeting: Monday, August 5 at 6 PM
    C. 2024 quarterly meetings
  • Thursday, October 10
    V. Adjourn
    A. Robert motioned, Donna seconded.
    B. 7:12pm

From July 2023
Topic
1 Definitions (Included in each topic)
2 Seasonal vs Year-Round Dwellings
3 Shipping Containers as Accessory Structures
4 Outdoor Wood Boilers
5 Solar Energy Systems (SES) Residential vs Utility Grade Systems
6 Short-Term Rentals (Vacation, AirBnB, Vrbo)
7 Single & Multiple Family, & Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
8 Minimum Lot/Acreage Sizes (including Farm & Forest)
9 Alternative Designs (Tiny Homes, Domes, Yurts)
10 Zoning Map Adjustments
11 Erosion Control
12 Lighting to Support Dark Skies
13 Signs
14 Gravel Mining
15 Other Mining
16 Fences
17 Blight
18 Sanitary Code for RR Zone
19 Enforcement of Ordinance

Posted on

Planning Commission Qtly Meeting Minutes, July 11, 2024

Thursday, July 11, 2024 at 6 PM
Call to Order: 6:00 PM
Roll Call:
Present: Nancy Strohschein (Chair), Joe Bollech, Bob Janda (Township Board Rep)
Jay Loman (Zoning Board of Appeals Chair), Donna Preston-Absent with Notice:
Robert Lindert (Vice Chair & Secretary), Buddy Sweeney (Zoning Administrator)
Recognition of visitors: Kathy Salisbury – Bayview Drive
Approval of agenda: Motion by Jay Loman, Second by Bob Janda. Approved.
Approval of minutes from April 10, 2024 quarterly meeting: Motion by Bob, Second by Joe.
Approved.
Public comments:
Kathy Salsbury stated her concern about property on Bayview Drive that is abandoned,
overrun and should be considered blight. She has researched the state law regarding blighted property.
Chairman Comments:

  1. Fire Hall is again available for meetings.
  2. PC Member terms:
    a. Joe Bollech – 06/04/2016, 4 years, expires 06/04/24. Joe does not wish to renew his
    term.
    b. Robert Lindert – 01/03/2022, 3 years, expires 01/03/2025
    c. Jay Loman – ?
    d. Donna Preston – 10/03/2022, 3 years, expires /10/03/2025
    e. Nancy Strohschein – 07/15/2021, 3 years, expires 07/15/2024
    Old Business:
  3. Planning commission comments/concerns: None
  4. Buddy Sweeney: Report from Zoning Administrator: Buddy not present
  5. Bob Janda: Report from Township Board Rep: Nothing to report
  6. Jay Loman: Report from Zoning Board of Appeals: No appeals
  7. Recreation Plan:
    o Nancy asked Lisa to make sure the Rec Plan gets uploaded to the State DNR site.
    o Jay Loman continues to look for an update from Scott Lloyd
    o Possible money for Covid funds for sidewalk, shed, benches and defibrillator at the park
    and Town Hall
    2
    New Business:
  8. PC Education from the MTA Planning and Zoning Guide.
    a. Jay: Part 5, pages 145 – 176: Complete
  9. Zoning Ord:
    a. Receive final draft from Jason: Nancy will send Jason our notes from the last review
    b. Confirm maps
    c. Post of website
    d. Publish in newspaper
    e. Public hearing
    f. Presentation to board
    g. Board adoption
    Topics for Next Meeting:
  10. PC Education – Part 6 by Buddy
    Quarterly Meetings in 2024 are published in the Sentinel
  • Thursday, October 10
    Upcoming meetings:
  • Wednesday, July 17: Planning Commission ZO Work Session
  • Monday, August 5: Township Board Meeting
    Adjourn: Adjourned at 7:05 PM
Posted on

Planning Commission Work Session, June 26, 2024

Work Session Meeting Minutes Wednesday, June 26 2024 at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
Roll Call
Nancy Strohschein (Chair)
Joe Bollech (Board of Review)
Bob Janda (Board Rep)
Robert Lindert (Vice Chair & Secretary)
Jay Loman (Board of Review Chair) – Absent w/ notice
Donna Preston
Buddy Sweeney (Zoning Admin)
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
Introductions/Guests: Jason McCarthy attended via phone call.
Approval of Agenda: Donna motioned, Robert seconded with the change of moving the
ordinance discussion to the front of the list.
Approval of minutes of May 15, 2024: Donna motioned, Bob seconded
Agenda:
I. Ordinance Update
A. Specific comments from Buddy for discussion.
B. Review of entire revised ZO by planning commission members. Consolidate
updates on one paper copy. – Spent the entire hour running through section by section
and correcting any errors we encountered.
C. Final steps for ZO update

  • Receive final compiled document – Jason to provide after PC review of entire
    document before next meeting. Jason will update the table of contents and
    make sure all hyperlinks work.
  • Publication on website – We need to provide at least 30 days access to the
    updated version before the public hearing.
  • Notice in paper (verbiage from Jason) – Target 45 days’ notice and include a
    summary of major changes in paper. Possibly publish in early July.
  • Summary of changes – Jason will provide this for the public hearing.
  • Print copies for public input session.
  • Schedule public hearing – Probably in August
  • Jason to attend hearing and present to the public.
  • Resolutions from Jason.
    II. Chairman Comments
    A. Comments from June 3rd board meeting – Nancy did not attend. Nothing worth
    noting.
    III. Recreation Committee/Plan
    A. Jay Loman – Any conversation with Scott Lloyd?
  • Jay was absent. Tabled this.
    2
    B. Jason McCarthy – Info sent to Lisa Marinich?
  • Jason left by this time. Tabled this as well.
    IV. Next meetings
    A. Planning Commission Work Session: July 17th, @ 6:00pm
    B. Township Board Meeting: Monday, July 1st, @ 6:00pm
    C. Planning Commission Quarterly Meetings
  • Thursday, July 11
  • Thursday, October 10
    Adjourn: Robert motioned, Joe seconded. 7:05pm
Posted on

Planning Commission Work Session, May 15, 2024

Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
Roll Call
✓ Nancy Strohschein (Chair), ✓ Joe Bollech, ✓ Bob Janda (Board Rep), Robert Lindert (Vice Chair & Secretary) – Absent with notice, ✓ Jay Loman (Board of Appeals Chair)
✓ Donna Preston, Buddy Sweeney (Zoning Admin) – Absent with notice
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
Introductions/Guests: Jason McCarthy attended in person. No other guests.
Approval of Agenda: Motion: Joe, Second: Bob. All yes to approve without changes.
Approval of minutes of April 17, 2024 Work Session meeting: Motion: Bob, Second: Donna. All yes to approve without changes.
Agenda:
I. Chairman comments.
A. Comments from May 6 Board Meeting – Nancy updated the PC on highlights
from the most recent Township Board Meeting.

  • Millage renewals in August (Fire, Ambulance, Road & School). Will be on the
    November 2024 ballot.
  • Covid funds – Spend by Dec 2024. $32,000 allocated to recreation budget.
  • Dumpster for metal – Bob Witz will put a dumpster at the Fire Hall for metal
    only. He will handle all the responsibilities and will take items to the
    scrapyard.
  • Nature Conservancy meeting with Jay Fish and Bab Janda – Update from Bob.
    The NC will maintain the current tax revenue to the Township. Roads and
    access will stay the same.
  • Mining project. Test drills and pulse testing underway.
    B. PC report to Board. Nancy updated the board on the status of our ZO changes,
    the conversation with Raymond and Marilyn Prill about their cemetery, and the
    suggestion to use recreation budget funds for surveying the Township property near
    Witz Marina.
    2
    II. Recreation Committee/Plan
    A. Jay Loman will contact Scott Lloyd to see what he plans to do to get going on
    projects. Jason will send Lisa Marinich some information on uploading the Recreation
    Plan to the state website.
    III. Ordinance Update – Led by Jason
    A. Review entire revised ZO with emphasis on Art 10 (previously Art 13) Schedule of
    Regulations. Jason presented a copy of the almost final ordinance with any changes
    from our current ZO highlighted. He walked the PC members through the entire
    document.
  • Article 1: OK, no changes
  • Article 2: OK, no changes
  • Article 3: OK, no changes
  • Article 4: OK, no changes
  • Article 5: OK, no changes
  • Article 6:
    a) Page 39. Change “See Section 1203, D” to “See Section 1208, D”
  • Article 7: OK, no changes
  • Article 8: OK, no changes
  • Article 9: OK, no changes
  • Article 10:
    a) Page 48. Remove sections under 1001: B, C, D, F, I.
    b) Jason stated setbacks should be derived from a set line. Jason will
    add this as the last letter under section 1001.
  • Article 11: OK, no changes
  • Article 12:
    a) Page 68. Change agency name to EGLE
    b) Page 90: Add elm as allowed tree
    c) Page 101. Section 1211, item A3. Semi-trailers allowed only
    during construction.
  • Articles 13 through 20: OK, no changes
    B. Final steps for ZO update
  • Receive final compiled document – Jason to provide after PC review of entire
    document before next meeting. Jason will update the table of contents and
    make sure all hyperlinks work.
  • Publication on website – We need to provide at least 30 days access to the
    updated version before the public hearing.
  • Notice in paper (verbiage from Jason) – target 45 days notice and include a
    summary of major changes in paper. Possibly publish in early July.
  • Summary of changes – Jason will provide this for the public hearing.
  • Print copies for public input session
    3
  • Schedule public hearing – Probably in August
  • Jason to attend hearing and present to the public.
  • Resolutions from Jason
    IV. Next meetings
    A. Wednesday, June 5 at 6 PM: Planning Commission work session. All PC
    members to completely review the updated ZO provided by Jason. At this
    meeting, we will consolidate changes into one copy to give back to Jason.
    B. Wednesday, June 26 at 6 PM: Planning Commission work session. Expect to
    have final copy from Jason at this meeting.
    C. Township Board Meeting: Monday, June 3 at 6 PM
    D. 2024 quarterly meetings
  • Thursday, July 11
  • Thursday, October 10
    V. Adjourn – Motion: Jay, Second: Donna. All yes to adjourn at 7:10 PM

From July 2023
Topic
1 Definitions (Included in each topic)
2 Seasonal vs Year-Round Dwellings
3 Shipping Containers as Accessory Structures
4 Outdoor Wood Boilers
5 Solar Energy Systems (SES) Residential vs Utility Grade Systems
6 Short-Term Rentals (Vacation, AirBnB, Vrbo)
7 Single & Multiple Family, & Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
8 Minimum Lot/Acreage Sizes (including Farm & Forest)
9 Alternative Designs (Tiny Homes, Domes, Yurts)
10 Zoning Map Adjustments
11 Erosion Control
12 Lighting to Support Dark Skies
13 Signs
14 Gravel Mining
15 Other Mining
16 Fences
17 Blight
18 Sanitary Code for RR Zone
19 Enforcement of Ordinance

Posted on

Planning Commission Work Session, April 17, 2024

Wednesday, April 17, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
Roll Call
Nancy Strohschein (Chair), Joe Bollech (Board of Review), Bob Janda (Board Rep)
Robert Lindert (Vice Chair & Secretary), Jay Loman (Board of Review Chair)
Donna Preston – Absent with notice, Buddy Sweeney (Zoning Admin) –
Absent with notice
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
Introductions/Guests: Jason McCarthy attended via phone call.
Approval of Agenda: Bob motioned, Jay seconded
Approval of minutes of March 20, 2024: Joe motioned, Bob seconded
Agenda:
I. Chairman Comments
A. Comments from March 27th annual and budget meeting (blight, cemetery,
recreation budget) → $32,000
B. Comments from April 1 board meeting (Tini easement to township property on
Vicks Rd) → No township easement to section 15 property.
II. Recreation Committee/Plan
A. Should we recommend getting Witz property surveyed? Handle via Rec Cte?

  • PC was not in full agreement to get it surveyed. Further discussion needed.
    III. Ordinance Update – Led by Jason/Buddy
    A. Article XIII: Setback and other regulations → PC agrees to remove letter “F”
  • Ask Buddy to “sign off” on setbacks
  • Remove sections: B, C, D, F, J
  • Letter I – “Commercial Building”
  • Minimum lot width, GR/RR/B = 100ft, SR = 150ft
  • Remove section C table on bedrooms.
    B. Final: Article XV updates from our last meeting
  • Jason to send out updated version.
  • Robert concerned about minimum sqft conflicting w/ Tiny home size, tabled
    this for later.
    C. Confirm change from 120 to 200sqft not requiring building permit, but still
    require zoning permit. → Agree
    D. Review Article XVIII updated by Nancy.
    2
    E. Articles XIX through XXII – Jason to comment on any changes needed and
    provide at next meeting.
    F. Plan for each PC member to review entire ZO.
    G. Final steps for ZO update:
  • Receive final compiled document
  • Publication on website
  • Notice in paper (verbiage from Jason)
  • Summary of changes
  • Print copies for public input session
  • Schedule public input session
  • Jason to attend public session
  • Resolutions from Jason
    IV. Next meetings
    A. Planning Commission Work Session: May 15th, @ 6:00pm
    B. Township Board Meeting: Monday, May 6th, @ 6:00pm
  • Thursday, July 11
  • Thursday, October 10
    Adjourn: Robert motioned, Jay seconded. 7:25pm
Posted on

Planning Commission Quarterly Meeting April, 10, 2024

Wednesday, April 10th, 2024 at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
Roll Call
Nancy Strohschein (Chair), Joe Bollech (Board of Review), Bob Janda (Board Rep)
Robert Lindert (Vice Chair & Secretary), Jay Loman (Board of Review Chair)
Donna Preston – Absent with notice, Buddy Sweeney (Zoning Administrator)
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
Introductions/Guests: Betty, Whitey
Approval of Agenda: Rob motioned, Joe seconded
Approval of minutes of January 10, 2024 Quarterly Meeting: Jay motioned, Nancy seconded.
Chairman Comments:

  1. Fire Hall meetings move to Town Hall due to light replacement in Fire Hall.
  2. PC Member terms:
    a. Joe Bollech – 06/04/2019, 4 years, expires 06/04/2024
    b. Robert Lindert – 01/03/2022, 3 years, expires 01/03/2025
    c. Jay Loman – ???
    d. Donna Preston – 10/03/2022, 3 years, expires 10/03/2025
    e. Nancy Strohschein – 07/15/2021, 3 years, expires 07/15/2024
    Old Business:
  3. Planning Commission comments/concerns – None
  4. Bob Janda: Report from Township Board – None
  5. Buddy Zoning Update: Lot of phone calls & questions.
    a. Complaints on Mouth of the Huron trailer property:
    i. Trailer has to be 75ft from centerline of road. Can’t do much more.
    Northing in ordinance to back Buddy up.
    ii. Pursuing EGLE about the property.
  6. Jay Loman: Report from Zoning Board of Appeals – All good. Website to be updated.
  7. Recreation
    a. Informal committee is having conversations with Jay Fish.
    b. Comments from Prills re: private cemetery on Sicotte Rd. Will be on the May
    2024 board agenda. Does anyone have contact info?
    c. Info from Nancy Soli on parcel by Witz. Document packet on parcel. Hand off to
    Township Board.
    2
    New Business:
  8. PC Education from the MTA Planning and Zoning Guide
    a. Robert: Part 4, Pages 95-144
  9. Zoning Ord: Plan to complete
    a. Review info from Jason
    b. High level review of entire ZO
    c. Map – Can we denote KLT and NC land?
    i. PC agreed no, we don’t want to include this as it changes too often, not
    zoning related.
    d. Buddy comments: Article 13 Letter F – Recommended removing this line
    entirely.
    Topics for Next Meeting:
  10. PC Education – Part 5 by Jay Loman
    Quarterly Meetings in 2024 are published in the Sentinel
  • Thursday, July 11th
  • Thursday, October 10th
    Upcoming Meetings:
  • April 17th Planning Commission Zoning Ordinance Work Sessions
  • Monday, May 6: Township Board Meeting
    Adjourn: Bob motioned, Robert seconded. 7:15pm
Posted on

Township Board Meeting Minutes, January 6, 2025

CALL TO ORDER: Supervisor Jay Fish called the Regular Board meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. at the Arvon Township Fire Hall on January 6, 2025.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jay Fish-Supervisor, Lisa Marinich-Clerk, Krystal Eliason-Treasurer, Robert Janda-Trustee and Keith Erickson-Trustee.
MINUTES APPROVAL: Erickson motioned, seconded by Eliason to approve December 2,2024 minutes. All in favor, motion passed.
AGENDA APPROVAL: Janda motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve the agenda. All in favor, motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
OLD BUSINESS: The remainder of the ARPA funds total $5,644.52. Marinich would like to clarify that when the board approved the December 2024 minutes it was not clear how the remainder of the ARPA funds were spent. $3,000.00 was used to pay for the township’s cemetery clean up spring of 2024 and the remainder of $2,644.00 was used to pay for the 2024 elections.
NEW BUSINESS: Assessor Fedie presented Resolution # 2025-01 to the board. It is Arvon Township Resolution to Adopt Poverty Exemption Income Guideline and Asset Test-2025. The homestead of persons who, in the judgment of the supervisor and the board of review, by reason of poverty, are unable to contribute to the pubic charge is eligible for exemption in whole or part from taxation under the General Property Tax Act, the township board is
required by Section 7u of the General Property Tax Act, Public Act 206 of 1893 (MCL 211.7u), to adopt guidelines for poverty exemptions. The foregoing resolution offered by Board Member Eliason and supported by Board Member Janda, upon roll call vote, Erickson, Janda, Eliason, Fish and Marinich all Yay. All in favor, motion passed.
-Assessor Fedie presented Arvon Township Public Inspection of Records Policy. Policy and Procedure for public inspection & copying of public records in lieu of customary business hours. Motion to accept the policy was made by Eliason, supported by Janda. All in favor, motion passed.
-Assessor Fedie presented Arvon Township Assessment Records Access Policy. The assessor will respond to requests for information within 5 business days, the assessor does not hold specific office hours. Motion to accept the policy was made by Erickson, supported by Janda. All in favor, motion passed.
-Assessor Fedie presented Arvon Township Personal Property Annual Canvass Policy. To ensure accurate assessments, Arvon Township is required to establish a policy regarding the inspection (canvassing) of businesses personal property. To identify new businesses and to verify the closure of previous existing businesses located within the township. To maintain an accurate inventory of business personal property. To assist business owners in
understanding business personal property filing procedures and requirements in the State of Michigan. Motion to accept the policy was made by Eliason, supported by Erickson. All in favor, motion passed.
-Fedie will forward all the policies and the resolution to Nancy Strohshein and Kay Erickson so they can put them on the township website.
-Marinich requests to pay Nancy Strohshein the same annual amount of $150.00 as Kay Erickson receives for website support. She has been helping Erickson with the website. Erickson motioned seconded by Eliason to approve the annual amount. All in favor, motion passed.
-Fedie let the board know that the board of review members will need ongoing training. This will take place in February. Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the training. All in favor, motion passed.
JAMES FEDIE:
MAIL CALL:
TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. General Fund-$289,371.69, Ambulance/EMT
Fund-$19,380.34 Fire Fund-$354,200.13 Liquor Fund-$877.68, Road Fund-$228,021.15. Erickson motioned, seconded by Marinich to approve the Treasurer’s Report. All in favor, motion passed.
BILL APPROVAL: Janda motioned, seconded by Eliason to approve the bills. All in favor, motion passed.
NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting date will be February 3,2025 at 6:00 P.M. at the Township Firehall.
ADJOURN: Eliason motioned, seconded by Marinich to adjourn at 6:20 P.M. All in favor, motion passed.
Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Cler

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Planning Commission Work Session, March 20, 2024

Call to Order
Roll Call
Nancy Strohschein (Chair), Joe Bollech (Board of Review), Bob Janda (Board Rep), Robert Lindert (Vice Chair & Secretary), Jay Loman (Board of Review Chair), Donna Preston – Absent with notice, Buddy Sweeney (Zoning Admin) – Absent with notice
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
Introductions/Guests: Jason McCarthy attended via phone call.
Approval of Agenda: Bob motioned, Joe seconded
Approval of minutes of February 13, 2024: Jay motioned, Bob seconded
Agenda:
I. Chairman comments:
A. Updates to ZBA membership/publication – Discuss with Jason

  • Jay did research. Prefers 5 people instead of 3 for the purposes of voting.
    However, this is ultimately not the responsibility of the Planning Commission,
    and thus we will no longer be discussing it.
    II. Recreation Committee/Plan
  • Up to the board at this point.
    III. Ordinance Update – Led by Jason
    A. Final: Article XV updates from our last meeting
  • Going to proceed with finalizing the ordinance in lieu of waiting for further
    input from Buddy.
  • All changes look good.
    B. Discussion on blight
  • Jason gave overview on his blight ordinance document he provided.
  • Robert & Nancy agree a complaint-driven system vs. an “actively looking”
    system would be best.
  • Robert disagreed with Section III about any non-running vehicle that is not
    inside or behind a fence being considered “blight”.
  • Planning Commission agreed to table the entire blight ordinance to await
    further recommendations from the Township Board.
    C. Setbacks – Suggestions from Buddy
  • No recent issues. Will leave as is.
    2
    D. Confirm change from 120 to 200sqft not requiring building permit, but still
    requires zoning permit
  • The 200sqft is for accessory structures, not something like a dwelling unit.
  • Discussed minimum lot sizes, farm and forest should be 5 acres instead of 1.
  • Change all smaller districts to 40,000? 40,000sqft lot size is the minimum
    needed to get a septic/well permit.
  • Tabled further discussion until next meeting.
    E. Final steps for ZO update
  • Receive final compiled document
  • Publication on website
  • Notice in paper (verbiage from Jason)
  • Summary of changes
  • Print copies for public input session
  • Schedule public input session
  • Jason to attend public session
  • Resolutions from Jason
    IV. Next meetings
    A. Planning Commission Work Session: Wednesday, April 3rd @ 6:00PM
    B. Township Board Meeting: Monday, April 1st @ 6:00PM
    C. Public budget Meeting: Wednesday, March 27th @ 4:30PM
    D. 2024 Quarterly Meetings
  • Wednesday, April 10
  • Thursday, July 11
  • Thursday, October 10
    Adjourn: Robert motioned, Bob seconded. 7:10p
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