CLINTON TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION
REPORT OF MEETING
JANUARY 10, 2002
MINUTES

PRESENT:  Donald Roach, Chairperson
                    Denise C. Trombley, Secretary
                    Michael Matway
                    Maurice Morrissette
                    Valerie O’Neal
                    Dennis C. Tomlinson
                    Pamela Weiss

ABSENT:    Thomas Landa, Excused

STAFF:        Stephen N. Cassin, Director
                    DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Mr. Roach called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.

Motion by Mr. Morrissette, supported by Mr. Gerlando, to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion carried.

Pertinent correspondence was read and entered into the record.

Mr. Cassin Stated the proposed changes include language to clarify the distances between sexually oriented businesses, pawnbrokers and tattoo parlors; a recommendation by the Ordinance Update Committee regarding recreational vehicle storage facilities; and increasing the minimum house size by one hundred feet per lot size. He added that lots that are less than 65 feet in width are required to increase the house size by 100 feet unless there is a hardship, in which case a request for variance could be submitted to the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Mr. Roach explained the procedure for a Public Hearing to be as follows: the petitioner will make comments, the public will have an opportunity to ask questions, and the Planning Commission will have opportunity to make comments or ask questions.

Mr. Roach stated for the record that there was no one from the public present.

Ms. Weiss stated her opinion that some recreational vehicles are taller than the proposed required six-foot wall and recommends that the required height of the wall be eight feet.

Ms. Trombley stated her opinion that the majority of the required walls in the Township are six feet and this would create an uneven look in the Township.

Mr. Roach inquired as to whether the proposed ordinance change effects residential areas.

Mr. Cassin stated that there is a separate ordinance for residential areas.

Motion by Ms. Trombley, supported by Mr. Morrissette, to recommend approval to the Township Board of the proposed Text Amendment to the Codified Ordinances of Clinton Township, Part Twelve – Planning and Zoning Code, Title Eight – Zoning: Chapter 1278 (B-3 General Business District), Chapter 1280 (I-1 Light Industrial District), and Chapter 1298 (Supplementary Regulations), as submitted. Roll Call Vote: Aye – Trombley, Morrissette, Gerlando, Matway, O’Neal, Roach, Tomlinson, Weiss. Nay – None. Absent – Landa. Motion carried.

Pertinent correspondence was read and entered into the record.

John Vesper, Vesper Construction Company, 42100 Garfield Road, Clinton Township, Michigan 48038, stated that the Planning Commission and Township Board have approved his plans. He stated that he would like to move the required driveway because where it is placed now would require him to remove six trees and a light pole.

Mr. Cassin stated that the Planning Commission could refer the matter to the Landscape Committee to make a recommendation.

Motion by Mr. Morrissette, supported by Ms. Trombley, with reference to File #5557 and application from John Vesper, Vesper Construction Company, 42100 Garfield Road, Clinton Township, Michigan 48038, concerning request for recommendation for approval of a north driveway on the property for Trillium Office Center, located on 3.43 acres of land fronting the west line of Garfield Road, south of Millar Road (Section 19), that the matter be referred to the Landscape Committee to make a recommendation to the Township Board. Roll Call Vote: Aye – Morrissette, Trombley, Gerlando, O’Neal, Matway, Roach, Tomlinson, Weiss. Nay – None. Absent – Landa. Motion carried.

Pertinent correspondence was read and entered into the record.

Richard Gibbs, Controller, Webber Development, 33414 Kelly Road, Clinton Township, Michigan 48035, stated he was willing to answer questions.

Mr. Morrissette inquired as to whether there will be a museum on the property.

Mr. Gibbs stated the office will have a game room and there will not be a museum.

Motion by Ms. O’Neal, supported by Mr. Gerlando, with reference to File #5510 and application from Richard Gibbs, Controller, Webber Development, 33414 Kelly Road, Clinton Township, Michigan 48035, concerning request for approval of Site Development Plan for Webber Development Headquarters, located on Lot 1, Liberty Industrial Subdivision (Section 1), generally located at the southwest corner of Hall Road (M-59) and Morley Drive, that recommendation for approval of the Site Development Plan be submitted to the Township Board. Roll Call Vote: Aye – O’Neal, Gerlando, Matway, Morrissette, Roach, Tomlinson, Trombley, Weiss. Nay – None. Absent – Landa. Motion carried.

Pertinent correspondence was read and entered into the record.

Leo Ciavatta, Faulman Partners LLC, 24721 Cubberness St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48080, stated he was willing to answer questions.

Mr. Cassin stated that there are three ways to split land.

Mr. Morrissette inquired as to whether the petitioner will have to submit site plans for the property.

Mr. Cassin stated the petitioner will not have to have a Site Plan approved with this type of project.

Mr. Morrissette inquired as to whether the petitioner plans to develop the land with condominiums.

Mr. Cassin stated the petitioner has stated he plans to develop single-family homes.

Mr. Tomlinson inquired as to whether there are sidewalks in the area.

Mr. Cassin stated that the area does not have sidewalks.

Motion by Ms. O’Neal, supported by Ms. Trombley, with reference to File #5589 and application from Leo Ciavatta, Faulman Partners LLC, 24721 Cubberness, St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48080, concerning request for approval of Site Development Plans for Faulman-Eaton Site Condominiums, located on Lot 188, Kelly-Nunneley Subdivision #2 (Section 28), generally located at the northwest corner of Faulman Road and Eaton Drive, that recommendation for approval of the Site Development Plan be submitted to the Township Board. Roll Call Vote: Aye – O’Neal, Trombley, Gerlando, Morrissette, Matway, Roach, Tomlinson, Weiss. Nay – None. Absent – Landa. Motion carried.

Pertinent correspondence was read and entered into the record.

Al Ventary, 319 North Gratiot Avenue, Mt. Clemens, Michigan 48043, representative, stated he was willing to answer questions.

Mr. Tomlinson inquired as to the zoning for the property to the east.

Mr. Cassin stated the property to the east is zoned R-5.

Mr. Tomlinson stated that the Site Plans do not show a fence on the east property line.

Mr. Ventary stated there are no objections to the fence.

Mike Mattera, Village Building Company, 319 North Gratiot Avenue, Mt. Clemens, Michigan 48043, stated the property to the east is zoned residential and is vacant. He added that the property is not developable as residential and he will put in a berm for a buffer.

Mr. Tomlinson stated that the Site Plan should show a wall.

Ms. Weiss inquired as to the type of lights the petitioner will use.

Mr. Ventary stated the lights will be decorative lamps with low-level wattage.

Motion by Mr. Gerlando, supported by Ms. Trombley, with reference to File #5569 and application from Mike Matter, Village Building Company, 319 North Gratiot Avenue, Mt. Clemens, Michigan 48043, as represented by Al Ventary, same address, concerning request for approval of Site Development Plan for Village Office Building, located on Lot 1, John F. Sass Subdivision (Section 2), generally located that the southeast corner of Hall Road and Madeleine Drive, that recommendation for approval of the Site Development plan be submitted to the Township Board. Roll Call Vote: Aye – Gerlando, Trombley, Matway, Morrissette, Roach, Tomlinson, O’Neal, Weiss. Nay – None. Absent – Landa. Motion carried.

Pertinent correspondence was read and entered into the record.

Al Ventary, 319 North Gratiot Avenue, Mt. Clemens, Michigan 48043, representative, stated he was willing to answer questions.

Ms. Weiss stated her opinion that every green area of the property will be developed.

Motion by Ms. Trombley, supported by Mr. Morrissette, with reference to File #5571 and application from Mike Mattera, Village Company, Inc., 319 North Gratiot Avenue, Mt. Clemens, Michigan 48043, representative, as represented by Al Ventary, same address, concerning request for approval of Revised Site Development Plan for Meadowdale Apartment Building #3, located on part of Lot 9, Lot 10, Meadowdale Subdivision (Section 23), generally located fronting the east line of Meadowdale Drive and south of Harrington Road, that approval of the Revised Site Development Plan be granted. Roll Call Vote: Aye – Trombley, Morrissette, Gerlando, Matway, O’Neal, Roach, Tomlinson, Weiss. Nay – None. Absent – Landa. Motion carried.

Pertinent correspondence was read and entered into the record.

Michael Kozlowski, Caeruleum, 4732 Pond Run, Canton, Michigan 48188, representative, stated the petitioner plans to clear the site and develop a 3,700-square-foot building with 6 gas pumps with canopies. He added they will put in landscaping and connect the sidewalk to the bike path. He added the petitioner does not have any objections to the modification to the driveway.

Mr. Morrissette inquired as to the variance that was granted by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Mr. Kozlowski stated a variance for the front yard setback was granted to put in landscaping along the bike path.

Mr. Morrissette inquired as to whether the gas station would be a Sunoco station.

Mr. Kozlowski stated the gas station will not be a Sunoco station.

Mr. Morrissette inquired as to whether the petitioner is going to have a "no left turn" sign for Groesbeck.

Mr. Kozlowski stated that the Michigan Department of Transportation is requiring that a "no left turn" sign be installed.

Ms. Weiss inquired as to whether the soil was tested for contamination.

Mr. Kozlowski stated that there was a Phase I and Phase II testing and there was a low contamination level.

Mr. Roach inquired as to whether the petitioner has done any other projects in the Township.

Mr. Kozlowski stated the petitioner has operated other businesses in the past.

Mr. Roach inquired as to the size of the store.

Mr. Kozlowski stated that it will be a large convenience store with a walk-in cooler, groceries and carryout food.

Mr. Morrissette inquired as to whether the petitioner would have to come back to the Planning Commission if he plans to put in a McDonalds.

Mr. Cassin stated that a McDonalds would require more parking and the petitioner would have to come back to the Planning Commission.

Mr. Tomlinson inquired as to the need for the loading zone on the site plan.

Mr. Kozlowski stated that the loading zone was required.

Motion by Mr. Morrissette, supported by Ms. Weiss, with reference to File #0290 and application from Yalal Yatooma, 463 Springview, Rochester, Michigan 48307, as represented by Michael Kozlowski, Caeruleum, 4732 Pond Run, Canton, Michigan 48188, concerning request for approval of Revised Site Development Plan for Metro/Groesbeck Gas Station & convenience Store located on Lot 79, Groesbeck Nunneley Subdivision (Sections 21/28), generally located at the southwest corner of South Nunneley Road and Groesbeck Highway, that approval of the Revised Site Development Plan be granted. Roll Call Vote: Aye – Morrissette, Weiss, Gerlando, Matway, O’Neal, Roach, Tomlinson, Trombley. Nay – None. Absent – Landa. Motion carried.

Mr. Roach called for nominations for Chairperson of the Clinton Township Planning Commission.

Ms. Trombley nominated Mr. Roach for Chairperson.

Mr. Roach declined nomination for Chairperson.

Ms. Trombley nominated Mr. Gerlando for Chairperson.

Mr. Gerlando accepted the nomination for Chairperson.

Motion by Ms. Trombley, supported by Mr. Morrissette, to close the nominations for Chairperson.

Mr. Gerlando was elected by unanimous vote to the office of Chairperson of the Clinton Township Planning Commission for a term effective through December 2002.

Mr. Roach called for nominations for Vice-Chairperson of the Clinton Township Planning Commission.

Mr. Gerlando nominated Mr. Roach for Vice-Chairperson.

Mr. Roach accepted nomination for Vice-Chairperson.

Motion by Mr. Gerlando, supported by Ms. Trombley, to close the nominations for Vice-Chairperson.

Mr. Roach was elected by unanimous vote to the office of Vice-Chairperson of the Clinton Township Planning Commission for a term effective through December 2002.

Mr. Roach called for nominations for Secretary of the Clinton Township Planning Commission.

Mr. Roach nominated Ms. Trombley for Secretary

Ms. Trombley accepted nomination for Secretary.

Motion by Mr. Roach, supported by Ms. O’Neal, to close the nominations for Secretary.

Ms. Trombley was elected by unanimous vote to the office of Secretary of the Planning Commission for a term effective through December 2002.

Motion by Mr. Morrissette, supported by Mr. Tomlinson, to approve the Report of the July 12, 2001 meeting as submitted. Motion carried.

Mr. Cassin stated there will be site plan approvals.

Motion by Ms. O’Neal, supported by Mr. Gerlando, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.

Respectfully submitted

Denise C. Trombley, Secretary
CLINTON TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION