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Peninsula Township
Special Joint Township Board & Planning Commission Meeting
April 26, 2016 6:00- 8:00 p.m.
Meeting called to order at 6:00 p.m.
Present:
Town Board: Avery; Byron; Hoffman; Correia-Chair; Weatherholt; Rosi
Planning Commission: Wunsch; Peters; Leak- Chair; Hornberger; Serocki
Also present were Claire Schoolmaster, Planning & Zoning Coordinator; Michele Reardon, Director of Planning & Zoning, via Skype, Patrick J. Sloan, McKenna Associates and Mary Ann Abbott, Recording Secretary
Absent: Town Board: Witkop
Planning Commission: Couture
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Approve Agenda
TOWN BOARD MOTION: Byron/Hoffman to approve the Agenda. PASSED UNAN
PLANNING COMMISSION MOTION: Hornberber/Serocki to approve the Agenda. PASSED UNAN
Brief Citizen Comments – for items not on the agenda
None
Conflict of Interest
Town Board: None
Planning Commission: None
Business
1. Peninsula Township Zoning Ordinance DRAFT (Discussion)
Reardon introduced Patrick Sloan via Skype to lead the discussion.
Sloan based on the previous meeting it was decided that it might be best to break out the information into chunks based on the major themes. Having three meetings. Tonight will be shoreline regulations; next week will be Agricultural and Ag Tourism Uses and the May 9th meeting to cover everything else and more major topics.
Definition of “Building Height”
Last week Building Height was a point of discussion. The consensus was that all heights should be measured to the peak regardless of the type of roof. But the Boards wanted some options on how to measure height on the waterfront. Discussion turned to McKenna letter of April 21, 2016 and the Definition of Building Heights. Two options were presented. Concerns of staff and boards were how to determine natural grade; requirements of a topographical survey before the permit; alterations of grade before the permit process; soil erosion; use of fill. There was a consensus on applying to all walkouts
Staff to do research on what GIS is available and revisit as we go further. Staff would also like to look at it from an enforcement standpoint, and see what it would do from a permit aspect. Reardon measurements will exclude chimneys but would like to look closer at cupola issue.
Shoreline Overlay District
Sloan Section 3.12 Shoreline Overlay is a new district. In addition to new regulations it also has sections of the current Zoning Ordinance. Proposal is to split of the Shoreline Overlay into two sub-districts: The Waterfront Sub-District where the setback would change to 60 feet from shoreline and the Upland Sub-District which would be 60-200 feet of the shoreline. Also would prefer vegetative cover in the area where possible with permit from a landscape architect.
Topics discussed under Waterfront Sub-District.
Discussion continued on the purpose of vegetative cover and the types of cover.
Reardon Right now we do not allow clear-cutting but we also do not require that natural vegetation be restored. This will be a change from what we do now. We need to check with our attorney on what we can do about MDOT right of way. Proposed that residents will need to get a permit from the township in the future. Would make soil erosion aware that there is a new permitting process in Peninsula Township.
Reardon I like the idea of requiring a permit for earth movement in our Waterfront District. In that ordinary high we might want to be proactive about protecting our shoreline.
Consensus of the Board to keep this Waterfront Sub-District section.
Hoffman would like to talk about Permitted Storage (e). This is where we have the shore stations out all winter. There is a letter from the Heritage Road Committee on this. Reardon this is a rewrite of current ordinance that you can store on your property as long as not in the Road Right of way and not in the 15-foot side-yard setback. If in the Road right –of- way it would need to be moved. Enforcement was discussed. Ordinary high water does not matter for storage.
Discussion and consensus on use of wording of “ temporary seasonal storage” across the board in the waterfront district.
Topics discussed under the Upland Sub-District
Sloan The Upland Sub-District requires 30% tree canopy from the 60-200 foot. Could require to be certified by a Landscape Architect
Byron would like to back up to 3-7 (f)Dredging and Filing. Reardon we require that if they bring in fill below the flood plain and above the ordinary high they receive approval from the ZBA and have soil erosion permit. Can we add that a civil engineer be required? A citation could be issued. Hoffman A permit may help.
Wunsch it might be helpful to provide a list of vegetation that would work. Reardon Asks Sloan to check with their Landscape architect. Could just be a list kept at the township. The only time this would trigger is if there is a permit pulled.
Additional topics discussed under Upland Sub-District
D) Hoists. Reardon Current ordinances end at the Ordinary High Water and suggest that we end it at the water’s edge. Can be addressed by attorney.
Consensus is that board would like to think on this topic.
E) Decks, Storage and Walkways. Sloan Reviewed this section. Reardon Walkway requirements came from ZBA to address people who need a way to get down to the their beach. No changes by boards.
F) Shared Waterfront. Sloan Only significant change is for portable sanitary equipment. No changes by the boards.
G) Filing and Grading. Sloan to find out if Army Corp of Engineers requires permit for seawall.
H) Removal of Shore Cover. No changes by Board
J) Road Ends. No common dockage. Staff to look into whose responsibility with Right of Way.
Reardon If everyone feels comfortable with Shoreline Overlay District we will see the changes and edits as we move forward.
Fences and Walls
Sloan New section on retaining walls but must be to protect or prevent structures from erosion damage and may bring in Township engineer.
Clear vision areas discussed. Maximum height privacy fence is listed as 6 feet. Prohibited materials are also listed.
Peters would like to see Retaining Walls listed under definitions. Rosi questioned structures and the flood plain areas
Reardon discussed that the concept of Privacy Fences is new to the Board. The ZBA felt that there was a problem with the zoning ordinance because of the number of variances they were seeing. The staff needs to research corner lots. Need to look at corner lots and protect ourselves against the right of way. Reardon’s suggestion is to keep the height at 6 feet and see what comments come at the Public Hearing.
Board consensus to continue discussion on definitions at a future meeting.
Reardon Next meeting will cover Agricultural related uses and Articles 3-5. There is change in the Agricultural Related uses and this comes from the Ag Tier discussions.
Citizen Comments
Margaret Achorn, 11284 Peninsula Drive. The Board continues to call the waterfront side of the house the front side of the house, and you need to make sure you change the reference points. Docks and temporary storage – does this need to be 15’ from the property line. Reardon Storage is required to not be in the side yard setback. Placement of usable dock should be at or near the center of the property.
Jim Raphael, 14826 Mallard Drive. A little confused about requirements for waterfront sub district. Wondering if the issue is erosion control why you are talking about tree canopy requirements as opposed to a broader definition of vegetation that will accomplish the goal. Second issue is how do you measure the up to 200 feet on a steep slope. Think of the unintended consequences of tying too many things together.
Britt Eaton, 1465 Neahtawanta is concerned with the trend of larger homes and the lack of mid sized homes. Urges the Boards to strengthen the ordinance to a maximum of 35’ and 2 1/2 stories.
Board Comments
Peters work session on Master Plan tomorrow morning at 8:00 am
MOTION:
Town Board: Byron/Hoffman to adjourn at 8:04 pm. PASSED UNAN
Planning Commission: Hornberger/Peters to adjourn at 8:04 pm. PASSED UNAN
Respectfully submitted by Mary Ann Abbott, Recording Secretary
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