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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

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

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

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

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 February 13, 2024: Robert motioned, Joe seconded
Agenda:
I. Chairman comments:
A. Terms on PC. Anyone hear from Lisa?

• Nope.
  B. Updates to ZBA membership/publication
  C. Update from March board meeting
  II. Recreation Committee/Plan
  A. Feedback from Lisa M. and Jay F. on discussion with MTA on By-Laws
• Township board did not approve an official recreation committee. Suggested
  we go with an unofficial advisory committee instead.
  B. Recreation plan was not uploaded to the DNR site in time for 2024 grants.
• However, we have the COVID-19 grant money to use.
  C. The expected committee members are:
• Robert Lindert
• Scott Lloyd
• Mary DeLine
• John DeLine
• Kathy Salsbury
  III. Ordinance Update – Led by Jason
  A. Final: Article XV updates from our last meeting
• Beefed up dark sky compatible lighting.
• 1506 #2 and 1506 #3 added “commercial” to the wording.
  2
• Section 1511
  a) Remove #2, #3, #4, #5, and #7.
  b) Change #6 to “semi trailer”
  c) Set all temporary permits to 1 year, renewable up to 3 years.
  d) Section B: Remove #6.
  e) Section B: Change #3 to WUPHD instead of county health dept.
  B. First Review: Short Term Rentals. Info from WUPHD about inspections (Nancy)
• Discussed septic inspections, fire inspections. These will set the capacity for
  the Short Term Rental.
  C. Second Review: Municipal Civil Infractions
• Tabled until next meeting.
  D. Blight Ordinance: L’Anse Twp & previous from Jason. Do we want to pursue
  either/any?
• Tabled until next meeting.
  E. Setbacks – Suggestions from Buddy
• Tabled until next meeting.
  F. 120sqft vs 200sqft for building permits
• Committee agrees we should increase to the 200sqft not needing a permit,
  thus matching the county ordinance.
  G. List of final items for Jason to work on for us include:
• Outdoor wood boilers
• Minimum lot sizes per zoning district
• Zoning map adjustments
• Blight
  IV. Next meetings
  A. Planning Commission Work Session: Wednesday, March 20th @ 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. 7:30pm

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 with notice,
Donna Preston – Absent with notice
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
Introductions/Guests: Buddy Sweeny, new Zoning Administrator
Approval of Agenda: Bob motioned, Joe seconded
Approval of minutes of January 31, 2024 Recreation Committee Open House: Bob motioned, Joe seconded.
Approval of minutes of January 31, 2024 Work Session: Joe motioned, Bob seconded.
Agenda:
I. Chairman comments:
A. Welcome Buddy! Our new ZA.
B. Updates from February 5 Board Meeting

• Lisa & Jay to talk to MTA to finalize bylaws.
  C. Terms on PC. Anyone hear from Lisa?
• Nope.
  D. Updates to ZBA membership/publication
• Tabled until next meeting.
  E. Rec Plan upload to DNR site. We may have missed the deadline.
• Jason believes we may have some leeway.
  II. Recreation Committee
  A. Pending By-Laws approval in March
  B. The expected members are:
• Robert Lindert
• Scott Lloyd
• Mary DeLine
• John DeLine
• Kathy Salsbury
  C. If anyone from Arvon Township wishes to join, they will be given priority.
  III. Ordinance Update
  A. Second Review: Article XV updates from our last meeting.
• All references to “R-1A” need to be changed to “GR” (General Residential)
• Discussed removing Section 1511 entirely. Doesn’t seem to fit in with other
  changes we’ve made. i.e. shipping container use.
  2
  B. First Discussion: Short Term Rentals (STR) – Document sent by Jason for us to
  review
• Buddy talked about MTA recommending STRs be classified as Hotels/Motels.
• Questions for the PC:
  a) Annual Permit – Yes
  b) Fire Department Inspection – 3 Yes / 1 Unsure
  c) Health Department Inspection – Septic/Well OK, most agreed
  d) Fee – Yes
  (1) Fee could cover the FD costs of the inspection, paperwork
  for permits, etc etc…
  (2) Somewhere around $100-$300 annually?
  (3) Could charge fee based on occupancy of the STR.
  e) Approval from Neighbors – No
  f) Notify Neighbors – Yes, but is it really enforceable?
  g) Cap on number of STRs allowed? – No. Not fair to those who are
  “late to the game”. Could always be revisited if there is concern there are
  too many rentals.
  C. Proposed Language: Municipal Civil Infractions
• What does “plus court costs” mean? We don’t want to be taking everyone to
  court.
• Should we charge a fee for a zoning permit? We all agree we should. L’Anse
  township charges $35.
• Buddy to review section & suggest changes he’d like to see for next meeting,
  if any.
  IV. Next meetings
  A. Wednesday February 28th – Planning Commission Work Session @ 6:00pm
  B. Township Board Meeting: Monday, March 4th @ 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: Nancy Adjourned. 7:10pm

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
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
Introductions/Guests: Jason McCarthy attended via phone call
Approval of Agenda: Robert motioned, Bob seconded
Approval of minutes of December 21, 2023 Work Session: Robert motioned, Jay seconded.
Agenda:
I. Chairman comments:
A. Official records for PC. 2008 – December 2023

• Going to be locked in the office.
  B. Official records moving forward
• Need a way to get all future documents to Lisa Marinich.
  C. 2024 Annual Report to Board will be given Monday, February 5
• PC estimates that we are 80% complete with ordinance update.
  D. Lack of Zoning Administrator impedes our work.
  II. Recreation Committee
  A. Recommendation to Board on Monday, Feb 5?
• PC to write grant, Lisa will submit the grant. This way Lisa has very little work
  to do and PC maintains responsibility of grant writing process.
  III. Ordinance Update – Led by Jason
  A. First review of Article 15
• Made various changes to Jason’s draft of Article 15.
  B. Next meeting topics
• Robert to get better definition of Dark Sky Outdoor Lighting.
• Jason to update Article 15 to reflect changes made in this meeting.
• Jason to present article on civil infractions for next meeting.
  IV. Next meetings
  A. Tuesday February 13th – Planning Commission Work Session
  B. 2024 Quarterly Meetings
• Wednesday, April 10
• Thursday, July 11
• Thursday, October 10
  Adjourn: Robert motioned, Bob seconded. 8:37pm