ARENA PLAN COMMISSION

October 5, 2009

 

PRESENT:  KayDee Maxwell, Bob Murphy, Dave Lucey, Terry Denruiter, John Wright, Rod Anding, Cheryl Schmidt, Mark Hottmann, Bill Gauger

OTHERS:  Ingmar Nelson, David Moore, David Giffey, Rand & CC Schott, Dick & Mary Lockman

 

The meeting was called to order. 

 

Anding motioned to approve the minutes from September 1, 2009 meeting. Murphy seconded, motion passed.

 

 

Rand Schott & David Moore submitted an application for a driveway permit. Murphy motioned to approve the driveway permit as presented. This is taking place of the original permit presented by Rand Schott. Anding seconded, motion passed. The Plan Commission is meeting with them on Sat., October 10 at 3:00pm.

 

Jim Corcoran - building permit, 7878 Fitz Road, to replace the existing house that used-to-be there. Will use the existing driveway. Does not want to build till spring. He will come back in the spring for the permit, he just wanted to make sure the location was okay. Will need a driveway permit because he is adding to it.

 

Bob Murphy - rezone and land division, 6906 Ray Hollow Road, rezone to AR1 from A1, 10 acres, has 143 acres total. Hottmann motioned to rezone the 10 acres from A1 to AR1 and approve the land division. Schmidt seconded, motion passed.

 

Ingmar Nelson - could consider AB1 or RB1 to rezone his property to. He has just under 300 acres used for Ag. RB would not work said Denruiter. Another option is conservancy.

 

The State, in the last budget, under the farmland preservation act, as of the 1st of the year if you sell land and take it out of Ag you have to pay the State $900 per acre (3x the accessed value per acre, conversion fee). Within the next two years the Township has to map and rezone land that we don't want included in Agriculture. Certain land would then have the fee connected to it and certain land would not. Lucey doesn't believe the Township wants to be in the position the State is putting us in. We will eliminate farmland preservation to the Township residents if we do this.  The Township will not have a lot of control if we go along with this program. The density would be changed 1 per 20. We would loose from the County our certification from the working lands initiative. The farmers' tax credit will be lost. The residence will not have to go to the County at all for permits. Wright motioned to have the Board send the letter to the County. Anding seconding, motion passed. Anding yes, Hottmann yes, Murphy yes, Schmidt yes, Wright yes, Denruiter yes, Lucey yes, Gauger yes.

 

Anding motioned to adjourn. Hottmann seconded, motion passed.