February 5, 2026 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

Sheridan Township Planning Commission

Sheridan Township Hall

Regular Meeting

February 5, 2026- 7:00 p.m.

Planning Commission present: Rick Offerson (Chair), Sally Jackson (Vice Chair), Scott Frederick, Chip Hanlon, Janet Cuatt

Staff: David Martin (Zoning Administrator)

Guests: None

1.      Pledge of Allegiance: The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance at 7:04pm.

2.      Call to order. 

3.      Approval of Agenda: A motion was made by Hanlon; seconded by Jackson to accept the agenda as presented.  Motion passed unanimously.

4.      Approval of minutes: A motion was made by Hanlon; seconded by Frederick to accept the meeting minutes from the regular meeting held on Dec 4, 2025.  Motion passed unanimously.

5.      Public Comments: Opened at 7:07

6.      Close public comments: No public comments, closed at 7:07

7.      Correspondence Received: None

8.      Reports from Staff and Officials:

a.      Township Board member – Scott Frederick – nothing new to report.

b.      Zoning Administrator – David Martin

                                                  i.      Permits* – Two (2) electrical, two (2) mechanical, one (1) plumbing. 

                                                ii.      Enforcements* - Issued one (1) enforcement. The recent snows have been a deterrent for enforcements in general.

                                              iii.      Number of members on the Zoning Board of Appeals - Working with Lewan at Carlisle-Wortman Associates to review the number of members on the Zoning Board of Appeals, possibly to add a Township Board member. 

c.       Zoning Board of Appeals representative – Rick Offerson – no updates, no meetings since last meeting.

9.      Old Business –

a.      Rezoning request for the Frohlich property.  The county agreed with our recommendation. The next step is for the Township Board to review.

b.      Rezoning surrounding properties - Martin is looking into rezoning properties surrounding Frohlich’s request, from Light Industrial to Medium Density Residential also, as is being done for Frohlich request.

10.  New Business

a.      Data Center Ordinance – The current Zoning Ordinance allows Data Centers as ‘permitted use.’  Lewan at Carlisle-Wortman Associates is working on a moratorium which will be good for six (6) months, giving time to research and update the Zoning Ordinance to match our township goals. The lawyers are drafting an all-inclusive ordinance for us to review as a starting point. Once the draft is available, Martin will setup a special meeting with the Planning Commission. 

b.      Public Notifications - Ideally, we’ll be able to combine the public notification of both, the potential zoning changes and Data Center ordinances.

c.       Battery Storage - River fork is looking at 40-50 acres for battery storage. AES is also looking for battery storage.  

d.      Conditional Use Requests – Martin has received two (2) conditional use requests on Michigan Ave. for a landscaping business. It is currently zoned as Light Industrial; Conditional Use will be needed for the change of use from previous business on the property.

11.  Reminder of next meeting April 2, 2026

12.  Meeting Adjourned - A motion was made by Hanlon; seconded by Frederick to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed unanimously. 7:34pm

Minutes submitted byJanet Cuatt, Secretary

Sheridan Township Planning Commission

Rick Offerson, Chair

Sheridan Township Planning Commission

Minutes approved at the 4/2/2026 meeting of the Sheridan Township Planning Commission

*Copies of item referenced in these minutes are available in the Township Clerk’s Office.