Minutes: July 25th, 2006

Chairperson Gary Mortus called the Public Hearing for the revision of the Catawba Island Township Zoning Amendments to order at 7:00 p.m. on July 25, 2006 in the conference room.

Present: Gary Mortus, Robert Schroeder, William Rofkar, Pat Cerny, Steve May, Walter Wehenkel, Reggie Langford, Mr. & Mrs. M. Grover, Jack DeVore, William Vandergiesen, James Zaremba, Sharon Allen and Ann Rump.



Gary Mortus stated the Ottawa Regional Planning Commission held their meeting on June 20, 2006 to review the revisions of the referenced text amendments. The text amendments were initiated by the Catawba Island Township Zoning Commission and the Commission was assisted by the staff of the Planning Commission in the making of sixty (60) changes. The changes included a commercial PUD District and a rewrite of the residential PUD section, new definitions and additional regulations. The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of the text amendments as initiated.



On June 28, 2006 the Catawba Island Township Zoning Commission held their Public Hearing and unanimously recommended the text revisions.



Walt Wehenkel stated that the revisions were originally initiated by the Land Use Committee when they were rewriting the Land Use Book. Most changes were made to simplify verbage and some were put in to protect the township such as portable swimming pools. There is one additional item concerning the agricultural use explaining what zoning can and cannot do.



Steve May stated a question to Walt Wehenkel in regard adding additional acreage to an existing PUD. Is there a provision? Walt Wehenkel prepared a provision to this situation and passed a copy to the Trustees and audience that can be added to the Resolution. Walt Wehenkel stated a new sub-item six has been added to expand the PUD with surrounding land. The same approval process would still be required.



Mr. Grover stated he is not in favor of PUDs, residential or commercial. William Rofkar stated the PUDs being residential or commercial, gives the township the flexibility to say yes or no to what the developer is requesting. There is more protection because of public hearings. The only uses in a Commercial PUD is what is permitted or conditionally permitted in the C-1 district. A Commercial PUD is like contract zoning. The applicant tells you what he is going to do and that is all he can do. Minor deviations are allowed but major ones have to go through the processs. The majority of our PUDs are less density than originally requested. Catawba Island Township would be the first township in Ottawa County with a Commercial PUD District. The Trustees feel the township does not need more commercial development at this time.



Gary Mortus made a motion to close the hearing to the public, seconded by Robert Schroeder. Motion carried unanimously.



William Rofkar made a motion to accept the text amendments as presented with the exception of the removal of the Restricted Commercial District and the addition of the expansion of the PUD section. Seconded by Robert Schroeder. William Rofkar, aye, Robert Schroeder, aye, Gary Mortus, aye.



The Township Trustees thanked Walt Wehenkel for his assistance with the revisions.



Robert Schroeder made a motion to close the Zoning Hearing, seconded by William Rofkar. All voted aye..