Township Board of Trustees

16164 S US 27, Lansing, MI 48906 July 27, 2026, Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes The Regular Meeting of the DeWitt Charter Township Board of Trustees was called to order by Supervisor Brian Ross at 7:00 PM with the Pledge of Allegiance. MEMBERS PRESENT Supervisor Brian Ross, Clerk Adam Cramton, Treasurer Sandy Stump, and Trustees Steven Smith, Lisa Barrone, Tom Hamp, and Lori Fox. MEMBERS ABSENT None. ALSO PRESENT Manager Amanda Bright McClanahan, Police Chief Matt Merony, Fire Chief Dave DeKorte, and several citizens. AGENDA Stump moved, Smith seconded, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion voted and carried. CONFLICT OF Board members were asked if they have any conflicts of interest to INTEREST CALL OF declare regarding any items of business for consideration before the THE ROLL Board of Trustees on the agenda. There were no conflicts identified. CONSENT AGENDA Hamp moved, Fox seconded, to approve the Consent Agenda which included the following: Board of Trustees regular meeting draft minutes, June 22, 2026; and General Vouchers 79650-79717. Motion voted and carried. PUBLIC COMMENT None. PRESENTATION None. PUBLIC HEARING None. COUNTY County Commissioner Robert Showers reported that Clinton County continues to COMMISSIONER experience steady population growth and residential development. He provided REPORT updates on regional economic development efforts, broadband expansion through a grant-funded fiber optic project serving rural areas of the county, and the County's long-term goal of increasing population to strengthen its competitiveness for state and federal infrastructure funding. Commissioner Showers also thanked the Township for its efforts to maintain a favorable tax environment for residents and businesses. DeWitt Charter Township Board Minutes July 27, 2026 Page 2 CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence included the following: Q2 2026 Financial Reports; Q2 2026 Cash and Investments; Dewitt Township Fire Department June 2026 activity report; Clinton County Sheriff’s Office June 2026 jail billing; and Consumers Energy notice of hearing. Stump moved, Smith seconded, to receive and place on file the correspondence package as presented. Motion voted and carried. UNFINISHED BUSINESS Proposed Ordinance On June 1, 2026, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on Draft Amendment 26-1 - Ordinance Amendment 26-1 for the use of laundromats within the Township. Upon Laundromats – final review and no public comments, the Planning Commission recommended to Second Reading forward Ordinance Amendment 26-1 to the Board of Trustees for the first reading. The first reading was approved by the Board of Trustees on 22 June, 2026. Manager Amanda Bright McClanahan, on behalf of Community Development Director Tanner White who was on military duty, presented the second reading of a proposed zoning ordinance amendment to permit self-service laundromats as a special land use within the BC, BL, and BSC zoning districts. She explained that the amendment originated from a resident's request and was reviewed by the Planning Commission, which recommended operational standards including limiting hours of operation to 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and requiring all washing, drying, waiting, and ancillary café activities to occur indoors. The ordinance also establishes a definition distinguishing self-service laundromats from commercial laundry operations and would become effective following adoption and publication. In response to a question from Trustee Fox regarding amplified entertainment and events, Manager McClanahan explained that the proposed ordinance would allow incidental entertainment, such as live music or a DJ, as an accessory use intended to enhance customer experience. She noted that modern self-service laundromats often incorporate amenities for patrons while they wait, and that any such activities would remain subject to the ordinance's operational standards and be conducted as part of the principal business. Hamp moved, Fox seconded, based on unanimous recommendation from the Planning Commission, to approve the second reading of Zoning Ordinance Amendment 26-1, that updates and amends the DeWitt Charter Township Zoning Ordinance for the purpose of adding laundromats as a use within the Township. Motion voted and carried. DeWitt Charter Township Board Minutes July 27, 2026 Page 3 NEW BUSINESS Sanitary Sewer Community Development Director Tanner White provided a copy of the Utility Utility Agreement – Agreement between DeWitt Charter Township and Louis J. Eyde Family LLC for the Clark Development Clark Development Phase 1 located on the east side of S. U.S 27, south of I-69, Phase 1 north of Clark Road in Section 15 of Dewitt Charter Township. The agreement was prepared by the Township attorney and is for sanitary sewer only. Manager Amanda Bright McClanahan presented a proposed infrastructure agreement for the residential development located east of the Clark Corners development. She explained that the project will require improvements to existing public infrastructure to support the planned residential units. The development, originally approved as a multi-phase project of up to approximately 500 units, will proceed in phases while installing infrastructure to accommodate future development. She noted that the preliminary plans have received initial review by the Township and utility engineers. Under the proposed agreement, the developer will have two years to complete the required infrastructure improvements, subject to extension upon demonstrating reasonable progress, with final engineering review and approval required before construction. In response to a question from Trustee Hamp, Manager McClanahan explained that if the developer fails to commence the required infrastructure improvements within the two-year period and does not obtain an extension, the agreement would expire and the developer would be required to restart the approval process, including site plan review and Planning Commission approval. Cramton moved, Smith seconded, to approve the Utility Agreement for sanitary sewer between DeWitt Charter Township and Louis J. Eyde Family LLC and authorize the Township Supervisor and Clerk to execute same. Motion voted and carried. Special Use Permit At the April 28, 2025 meeting, the Township Board approved Special Use Permit 25- 26-990001 – 990001 for the operation of an existing legal nonconforming religious institution and Determination of the construction of a 1,256 sq ft addition. The Board of Trustees, based on the Minor or Major recommendation from the Planning Commission, voted to approve this Special Use Amendment Permit (6-0-1). In addition to receiving approval of the Special Use Permit, the applicant received a Variance Approval 25-770001 for a reduction to the side setbacks on the western and southern property lines. Section 6.1 C.12. of the Zoning Ordinance requires that: “A request for an amendment shall be reviewed by the board with a recommendation from the official, to determine whether the proposed amendment is major or minor.” Sections 6.1 C.12.a. and b. of the Zoning Ordinance provides: DeWitt Charter Township Board Minutes July 27, 2026 Page 4 a. Major amendment. A major amendment shall be evidenced as consisting of a major change to the permit, as originally approved. Such changes shall include, but not be limited to: (1) The addition of land to the legal description of the original special use permit. (2) An expansion or increase in the intensity of use. (3) The addition of additional structures to the property. A major amendment shall be subject to the application procedures applicable to a new special use permit, as described in Section 6.1.C. b. Minor amendment. A minor amendment shall be evidenced as little or no impact on the permit as originally approved. If an amendment is determined to be minor, it shall be deemed granted and the official shall file a copy of the amendment in the original special use permit file. Manager Amanda Bright McClanahan presented the determination of an amendment to Special Use Permit 26-990001 for the addition to the Gunnisonville Church facility. She explained that the proposed revision reduces the size of the approved addition and does not materially affect the conditions of the previously approved special use permit. Because the amendment does not alter the approved use or create additional impacts, staff determined it qualifies as a minor amendment and recommended approval. She also noted that the applicant remains in compliance with all applicable permit and construction requirements. Smith moved, Stump seconded, to determine that the requested changes to the approved site plan for Special Use Permit 25-990001 are minor and authorize staff to process in accordance with the Zoning Ordinance. Motion voted and carried. EXTENDED PUBLIC, Police Department Report STAFF, & BOARD Police Chief Matt Merony reported an increase in excessive speeding throughout the COMMENTS Township and stated that the Police Department is utilizing grant funding from the Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) to conduct additional traffic enforcement. He highlighted several recent high-speed pursuits involving vehicles traveling in excess of 100 mph and noted that tire deflation devices were successfully deployed in one incident, resulting in the suspects' apprehension. Chief Merony also reported that the Department is exploring additional investigative strategies to deter individuals who record and post reckless driving on social media. He concluded by providing a staffing update, noting that Officer Micheal Gilmore continues to perform well at the police academy and remains on track to graduate in September. Fire Department Report Fire Chief Dave DeKorte reported that emergency call volume has approximately doubled compared to the same period in the previous year, largely due to recent storms and weather-related incidents. He noted that four paid-on-call firefighter candidates successfully completed their agility testing and are advancing in the hiring process. Chief DeKorte highlighted several recent emergency responses, including a head-on collision, a rollover crash requiring mutual aid, and a construction accident involving a fall from a roof. He also reported that letters had been sent to property owners regarding access improvements to a private roadway DeWitt Charter Township Board Minutes July 27, 2026 Page 5 near Speedway and concluded by sharing that an intoxicated driver was arrested after attempting to leave Station 1 following an encounter with fire personnel. Manager’s Report Manager Amanda Bright McClanahan reported that staff continues to work on development of the Township's annual budget, with department directors meeting to review strategic planning and economic development priorities. She also provided updates on several ongoing projects, noting that some construction schedules have been delayed due to contractor availability. She commended Township staff for their responsiveness to resident requests despite staffing shortages. Manager McClanahan also reported that work is continuing on the Corridor Improvement Authority's sign improvement program, including plans for an informational open house for business owners later this year. Clerk’s Report Clerk Cramton reminded the Board that, due to Early Voting operations, the Board's second October meeting will again be held at the MBS Training Room. He also commented on the Planning Department's presentations, noting that the Board's limited discussion during agenda items reflects the thorough preparation by staff and the Board's review of materials in advance of meetings. He thanked the Planning Department for the quality of its work. Clerk Cramton concluded by reporting that Early Voting for the August Primary began on July 25 at the Bingham Township Hall and DeWitt Charter Township Hall. He noted that voter turnout increased after a slow opening weekend and that voters have expressed appreciation for the convenience of early in-person voting. Supervisor Report Supervisor Ross suggested that the Board consider holding meetings at different locations throughout the Township and potentially adjusting the meeting start time for future years to encourage greater public participation. He noted that these ideas could be explored during the upcoming year. ADJOURNMENT Hamp moved, Ross seconded, to adjourn at 7:48 PM. Motion voted and carried. Respectfully submitted, Adam Cramton, Clerk Brian Ross, Supervisor