City Council

WATSON TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION MARCH 22, 2023 FINAL MINUTES Call to Order: 7:00pm Chairman, Bruce Bos opened the meeting Pledge of Allegiance: recited Roll Call: Quorum Conflict of Interest: None Recognition of Visitors: Jason Derry, PCI; Sarah Martens; Keith Steenwyk; Nick Steenwyk; Ken Steenwyk; James Riemersma; Jim Davis Public Comment concerning any items not on the agenda: None Approval of Agenda: Motion to accept the agenda with addition to New Business- adding item “d” review of Planning Commission’s 2022 yearly summary. Motion: Jay Roberts-Eveland 2nd. Owen Ramey Approved Approval of Minutes: Motion to approved the minutes with grammar corrections as well as SUP applicants name from Riemersma, Steenwyk & Sons Excavating to the name on application: James Riemersma: also a change was made to comply with ordinance requiring hours for a mining operation to be 8am-5pm and not as stated in the minutes or on the Facts of Findings & Conditions of Operation as 7am-6pm. Jason Derry stated that the new ordinance must be used. Motion: Jay Roberts-Eveland 2nd. John Caras Approved 1 Old Business: a. Continued discussion pertaining to the SUP application by James Riemersma. Chairman Bruce Bos began the final review of “Findings of Fact.” The Planning Commission reviewed the DRAFT and each element of the standards and requirements of Section 17 as relative to the initial approval of the special use permit. Findings of Fact relative to James Riemersma request for a Special Use Permit to Conduct a Mining Operation Pursuant to the Watson Township Zoning Ordinance upon Parcel 03-23–004-009-00, commonly known as 1943 122nd. Avenue A. Location: Findings- Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos- yes; John Caras- yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 2. Setbacks: Findings- Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 3. 50 ft setback: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: 4. Processing Plant: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 5. 100 ft banks/streams or waterways: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous B. Sight Barriers: 1. Along all boundaries: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes. Unanimous 2  a. Earth berms-6ft: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous b. Plantings of evergreen trees/shrubbery: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous c. Masonry Walls: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous C. Nuisance Abatement: Noise & Vibration: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 1. Air Pollution: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 2. Hours: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 3. Fencing: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous D. Reclamation of Mined Area: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland- yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 1. Reclamation & rehabilitation: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland- Yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 2. Standards for reclamation: a. Water level/graded back filled with non-noxious, non-flammable non-combustible solids: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland -yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous b. Banks: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans -yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: 3  Unanimous c. Top Soil: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous d. Vegetation: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous e. Cessation of Mining Operations: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts -Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 3. Performance Bond: To be secured in the amount of $25,000.00 and made out to Watson Township Supervisor: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous E. Submission of Operational and Reclamation Plans: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker- Yes: Unanimous 1. No extradition may occur until plan is submitted and approved Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous a. Contour map; b. Number of acres; c. type of processing; d. Location of processing plant; e. Soil tests; f. Map of plan w/ Final grade: F. Hearing: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 1. Public Hearing-was held 2. Granting or denying application; a. Use of land; b. Character of land; c. conservation of property Values; d. protection/general health/safety/welfare of Township E. Scarcity or value of minerals; f. Prior Operation/existence 4  3. Conditions: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 4. Annual Review: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 5. Review and Inspection Fees: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts- Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 1. Renewal and inspection fees; 2. Revoked/renewal-30 day Notice 6. Obligation to Restore: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts- Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous 7. Insurance: Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland- Yes; Brad Stalker-yes: Unanimous Motion: To accept the Findings of Fact in regards to James Riemersma’s request to Conduct a mining operation pursuant to the Watson Township Zoning ordinance upon parcels 03-23-004-009-00, also known as 1943 122nd Avenue. Motion: John Caras 2nd: Brad Stalker Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes: Unanimous Certificate: Certify that the foregoing findings were adopted by the Planning Commission: Chairman, Bruce Bos signed. _______________________________ 5 Conditions of Approval: As adopted by the Watson Township Planning Commission during regular meeting in conjunction with a Public Hearing held in compliance with the standards of PA 110 of 2006, held at the Watson Township Hall, 1895 18th Avenue, Allegan Michigan, on the 22nd day of March 2023, at 7pm and contained in the minutes thereof. A detailed review of the Conditions of Approval was led by Chairman, Bruce Bos with support from Jason Derry, PCI. A Roll Call Vote to accept the conditions of approval was taken: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes; Brad Stalker-yes. Unanimous The following discussion took place as the Planning Commission asked for clarity on submission of all paperwork, including the bond. Jason Derry explained the process and clarified that although the applicant has moved forward to create an LLC. To be known as Hopkins Pit, LLC the responsibility for the bond will remain with the applicant James Riemersma and the Hopkins Pit as they are one in the same. When asked if this placed the Township at risk in the event of abandonment or lack or lack of compliance Jason Derry, PCI told the Planning Commission that this would not be an issue. Motion: To approve the Conditions of Approval for the request of a Special Use permit to Jamers Riemersma, for a mining operation pursuant to the Watson Township Zoning Ordinance upon parcels 03-23-004-009-00, commonly known as 1943 122nd. Avenue Motion: Jay Roberts-Eveland 2nd. : John Caras Roll Call Vote: Bruce Bos-yes; John Caras-yes; Nick Evans-yes; Owen Ramey-yes; Jay Roberts-Eveland-yes: Unanimous New Business: 6 Motion to Table all New Business, except the yearly summary of Planning Commission 2022, due to the late hour and time spent on the review of proposed SUP Motion: Jay Roberts-Eveland 2nd Nick Evans Motion Passed Chairman Bruce Bos shared the yearly summary of Planning Commission’s work to be presented to the Township Board and attached to the minutes. Member Comments: John Caras shared that the Parks Plan has been submitted and accepted by the State of Michigan. Also, an effort to secure funding for development at the 7 Generations park -through the MIGrant/Passport program is in the works. Jay Roberts-Eveland shared her gratitude for the service of Shawn Caulder on the Planning Commission. Motion to Adjourn: Motion: Jay Roberts-Eveland 2nd. John Caras Meeting Adjourned at 8:24pm Submitted by: Jay Roberts-Eveland 3/23/2023 7 8