City Council

WATSON TOWNSHIP MICHIGAN 1895 118th Ave. Allegan, MI 49010 PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES FINAL DATE: April 26, 2023 CALL TO ORDER: TIME/PLACE: 7:00pm - Watson Township Hall PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE: Recited ROLL CALL & RECOGNITION OF VISITORS: Bruce Bos welcomed new Planning Commissioner, Jim Davis. Present: Bruce Bos; John Caras; Jim Davis; Nick Evans; Owen Ramey;Jay Roberts-Eveland; Brad Stalker Quorum: Visitors: Zoning Administrator: Jason Derry ANY CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None PUBLIC COMMENT: ( please sign in if wishing to address the Commission) None APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Motion: Jay Robberts-Eveand Second: John Caras Approved APPROVAL OF MINUTES: with correction: Old Business; to remove, “and the approval of the expansion.” Motion: Owen Ramey Second: John Caras Results: Approved 1 OLD BUSINESS: None NEW BUSINESS: a. Possible discussion as to amending zoning ordinance to insert and include a definition pertaining to shipping and storage containers and their possible uses. Chairman Bruce Bos explained to the Planning Commission (PC) the request for a review and possible amendment to the zoning ordinance concerning a need for a definition and classification of shipping/storage container usage within the township. He provided examples from Aurelius Township and Cooper Township and the Planning Commission reviewed each one. John Caras explained the classification system on shipping containers and some specifics to be addressed in creating the potential amendment. He suggested the PC consider; definition; classification; size and number of containers permitted per parcel; no modifications to containers; location; color; temporary permits on the occasion that there is a specific short term need. Jim Davis stated that there are a lot of shipping containers throughout the township and that to enforce an ordinance we must be mindful of enforcement issues. Brad Stalker asked for clarification on what the definition of “disrepair,” and “dilapidated” means for interpretation in the potential ordinance amendment. Jason Derry, PCI has committed to taking the PC discussion and present a first draft of a shipping containers amendment to the PC at the May meeting A lengthy discussion followed with requests and explanations of the need to allow storage containers within Watson, but also a need to define what uses are permitted. b. Possible discussion as to whether we should look at making any amendments to the definitions and requirements pertaining to minimum acreage and road frontage in the A-2 ordinance. John Caras explained the directive from the township board. The board is requesting the Planning Commission to review the existing ordinance and make sure it aligns with the Master Plan. He further stated that there is a concern about density within A-2 as well as infrastructure limitations. He addressed the number of splits allowed per/parcel and wondered whether we need to address this. Jason Derry, PCI provided examples of how other townships manage splits. A concern about non-conformng lots along with overlay districts and conditional rezoning brought the PC back to needing further 2 research and review of the Land Division Act. Jason Derry will provide the PC with necessary literature. A request was made for the township to update the land maps so that the PC might be able to review the layout of the township in referencing the A-2 parcels for further determination of potential amendment to the ordinance. MEMBER COMMENTS; Jay Roberts-Eveland asked that the PC review the definition and management for: overlay districts; conditional rezone at a future meeting. ADJOURN MEETING: Time:8:51PM Motion: Owen Ramey Second: John Caras Results: Adjourned Submitted by: Jay Roberts-Eveland 3