City Council

Watson Township Planning Commission January 25, 2023 Regular Meeting Minutes 1. Call to order- Chairman Bruce Bos called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm. 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 3. Roll call and recognition of visitors- Present: Bev McKinnon, Bruce Bos, Shawn Caulder, Nick Evans and John Caras, Owen Ramey. Absent: Jay Roberts-Eveland Visitors: Jason Deery – Professional Code Inspections, Inc. Paul Henderson – Roosien & Associates Nick Steenwyk – 6741 N. Whitneyville Rd., Middleville, MI James Riemersma – 4434 17th St., Dorr, MI Ken Steenwyk – 10020 Alaska Ave., Caledonia, MI Zac VanderArk 0 8375 Ridgestone Dr., Byron Center, MI Brad Stalker – 1527 N. 16th St., Michelle Harris – Watson Twp resident Troy McKenney Kevin Travis – Watson Twp resident 4. Public Comment not on Agenda. Michelle Harris thanked the Planning Commission for their work in creating the Parks Plan for Watson Township and for their completion of the review pertaining to the Watson Township Master Plan. Bruce B. took a moment to thank Bev M. for her years of service and to recognize her work for Watson Township that she has put in to being a member of the Planning Commission. Tonight’s meeting is her final meeting as a member of the PC. Thank you, Bev. 5. Reading and review of the Agenda. Shawn Caulder motioned to accept the agenda. Bev McKinnon seconded the motion and the motion was approved. 6. Reading and review of the Minutes from the December 7th, 2022 meeting. Shawn C. motioned to accept the minutes as written. John C. seconded the motion and the motion was approved. 7. New Business: a) Public Hearing pertaining to the Township Master Plan Review. Bruce Bos spoke regarding the purpose of this public hearing and read the published notice from the Allegan News. He then stated the ground rules for the hearing and the manner in which it would proceed. He then asked Jason Deery from PCI for a report on and any updates to consider pertaining to the final draft of the Master Plan Review. He then asked for any public comment. There was none. A roll call vote was then taken as to whether to accept the final draft. The vote of acceptance was unanimous and the final draft was accepted to send on to the Township Board for their approval. A motion was made by Shawn C. to close the open meeting for the Master Plan Review. John C. seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken and was passed unanimously to close the public hearing. b) Public Hearing pertaining to the application by James Riemersma for a Special Use Permit to allow for a mining operation. Bruce Bos asked Jason Deery from PCI to report on and give a background as to this application. Jason spoke of the application, a brief background and history of the site and what the status and conditions of the application were there for us to consider. Paul Henderson from Roosien & Associates was granted the floor and spoke of the purpose of the application and what their intent is for the mining of this site. This site was previously operated as a sand and gravel mine and has been left abandoned for several years with no reclamation being undertaken. Mr. Henderson then laid out the future plans for the operation at this site as well as how they would be able to remediate the site when operations were to be completed. Bruce asked for clarification that there would be no crushing or washing operation on said premises. Paul H. confirmed this. Owen asked for clarification and to confirm for a term limit of six months after completion of each phase for the reclamation process to begin. Also to limit the time length of said total operation and permit to ten years with the option to extend the length of permit if needed.  John C. had questions regarding any damage that might be done to 122nd Avenue due to the operations traffic. Kevin T. spoke from the audience that this might be good to have someone else take over the abandoned site and would be in a position to remediate the property when completed. Bev M. asked if there would be a need for approval from the Road Commission. Jason D. then read an email from Karen Fifelski (a township resident) and shared her concerns for the monitoring of the site. John C. then made a motion to close the public hearing and was seconded by Bev M. Roll call vote was taken and passed unanimously. At this time, the public hearing for this SUP application was closed. Further discussion then was had among the members of the planning commission. Bruce B. then asked the commission to gather any other questions or concerns they may have so that they may be addressed at the next meeting when a Special Use Permit might be drafted. Bruce B. then asked Kevin T. (as a representative of the board) if there was any new business that the board would like the planning commission to address. There was mentioned the possibility of creating a definition in the zoning ordinances pertaining to shipping containers. Also was mentioned a discussion regarding the changing of dimensions and road frontage within the A-2 zoning ordinance. c) Discussion as to making any amendments to the definitions and requirements pertaining to the A-2 zoning ordinance. Due to the length of time taken up with the 2 earlier public hearings, it was considered to table this item for a future meeting. Bev M. made a motion to table this item. Nick E. seconded the motion and the motion was passed. 7. Shawn C. made a motion to adjourn the meeting. John C. seconded the motion. Motion carried and meeting was adjourned at 8:42 p.m. Respectfully submitted by, Bruce Bos Watson Township Planning Commission Chairman