April 4, 2024 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

Sheridan Township Planning Commission

Sheridan Township Hall

Regular Meeting – Public Hearing

April 4, 2024 – 7:05 pm

Purpose:  Regularly scheduled meeting & Public Hearing

The public hearing was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a roll call of the Planning Commission.

Present:  Harold Badger (chair), Scott Frederick, Peggy Vogt, Rick Offerson, Sally Jackson (arrived 7:35)

Guests:  See attached list*

Agenda: A motion was made by Frederick; seconded by Vogt, to approve the agenda as presented.  Motion passed unanimously.

Minutes:  A motion was made by Frederick; seconded by Vogt to approve the minutes of the February 01, 2024 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

A motion was made by Frederick; seconded by Vogt to approve the minutes of the March 14, 2024 meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

Public Comment: None – Public Comments closed at 7:09pm

Reports: Township Board – (1) Frederick reports that last month the Board approved the new budget.  (2) The Board approved the hiring of a Deputy Sheriff (Jack Williamson) for a one year trial beginning April15, 2024. (3) The Board held a workshop to work on a Policy Guide for Board Members.

Zoning Administrator – (1) Martin reviewed the various permits issued from 02/02/2024 thru 04/04/2024 (2) The Michigan State Police with the assistance of local agencies conducted a raid on a pair of illegal marijuana grow operations on 27 Mile Road near C Drive North.  (3) The Days Inn was visited to review the work progress to remedy various code violations.  The second section of the hotel is still unable to be occupied and the entire facility has a Limited Certificate of Occupancy.

Zoning Board of Appeals – None

New Business: (1) Zoning Ordinance text amendments for the fencing of large Solar Energy Systems was reviewed. This was necessary after the Township Attorney misstated at the original public hearing that the fencing ordinance was changed. A motion was made by Frederick: seconded by Vogt to amend section 2.02 & section 15.25 as noted (see attached.)  The motion passed unanimously.  A motion was made by Vogt; seconded by Frederick to close the Public Comment on the Public Hearing.  The motion passed unanimously.

(2) A reminder to review the material referencing a Gravel Pit/Mining ordinance was mentioned by Badger.  The members should be prepared to discuss the topic at our April 11, 2024 meeting with Doug Lewan.

(3) Anderson’s plans to build a new Grain Receiving building were reviewed. Based on feedback from Fleis&Vandenbrink a motion to approve permitting was made by Frederick; seconded by Vogt.  The motion passed unanimously.  Anderson’s plans to build a Tower/Bin expansion were reviewed. A motion was made by Frederick; seconded by Jackson, contingent on structural findings by Fleis&Vandenbrink, to approve the permitting to begin construction. The motion passed unanimously.

Unfinished Business:  Anderson’s is working on a boundary change to resolve a setback issue. This has not been completed at this time.

Martin let the Planning Commission know that he had been approached by Carlos of American Towing out of Battle Creek, MI. Carlos would like to use the property at 27 Mile Road to operate a salvage yard, sell used car parts and run his towing business.  The 5.35 acres are currently zoned light industrial and are part of PA425. Determination of Township or City of Albion jurisdiction is needed to proceed with review.  If determined to be part of Sheridan Township the property would require a zoning change to Heavy Industrial, a Conditional Use Permit, a variance and a Site Plan.  Discussion also included an environmental study to see if the property may have soil contamination form previous business activity.

Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 8:28pm. 

Minutes submitted for approval by

Rick Offerson, Secretary

Sheridan Township Planning Commission

Harold Badger, Chair

Sheridan Township Planning Commission

Approved at the 04/11/2024 meeting of the Sheridan Township Planning Commission

*Copies of items referenced in these minutes are available in the Township Clerk’s office.