February 6, 2025 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes

Sheridan Township Planning Commission

Regular Meeting    

Sheridan Township Hall

February 6, 2025- 7:00 p.m.

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

Absent: Sally Jackson (Vice Chair) excused

Staff: David Martin (Zoning Administrator)

Guests:

1.      Pledge of Allegiance.

2.      Call to Order, Roll Call of Members.

3.      Approval of Agenda – Hanlon made the motion; seconded by Frederick to approve the agenda. Motion passed unanimously.

4.      Approval of Minutes from the last meetings

a.       December 5, 2024 Minutes. Frederick made the motion; seconded by Hanlon to accept the meeting minutes from the December 5, 2024 meeting. Motion passed unanimously.

b.      January 30, 2025 Public Hearing Minutes. Frederick made the motion; seconded by Hanlon to accept the meeting minutes from the Public Hearing meeting January 30, 2025. Motion passed unanimously.

5.      Public Comment on any issues not on the agenda** - None

6.      Close Public Comment 7:04

7.      Correspondence Received 

a.      MTA Educational Conference – Michigan Township Association conference will be held in Grand Rapids this year. March 3st – April 3rd.

8.      Reports from Staff and Officials

a.      Sheridan Township Board – Frederick – no updates since last meeting.

b.      Zoning Administrator – 1) Martin reviewed the various permits issued between 12/01/2024 thru 02/01/2025 (2) Need to discuss Enforcements with the attorney.  We may address differently in order to get better results. (3) He continues to work with State Police on 24-mile Rd issue. (4) Also reviewing the Camper Ordinance for modification, consider adding a cap.

c.       Zoning Board of Appeals Representative – Offerson – no updates since last meeting.

9.      Old Business

a.      Gravel Pits/Mining Ordinance – (1) 15.13 Filling of Land Draft –Discussed the draft, ignoring the numerous strikeouts.  Offerson will follow up with Lewan if it’s a reclamation. (2) 15-25 Mineral Mining (proposed new section) - Follow up required with Lewan for clarity, it used to include solar, now referencing mining. (3) Article I. Mining control – Concerns regarding amount of material 01-02 (4) - no permits required if 500 cubic yards in calendar year. Also discussed O. Monitoring - three (3) times a year. Martin will follow up with Fleis&VandenBrink if they perform Site Reviews, we currently do not have a Township Engineer. We have additional questions regarding demands of the ordinance.  The Planning Commission thought it best to table allowing for additional research.  Frederick made the motion; Hanlon seconded the motion to table the discussions for additional research. Motion passed unanimously.

b.      Master Plan – Martin sent corrections from Craig (Clerk) to Lewan, including the latest Fire Department picture, wording, and a few other edits. Once the updated document is received from Lewan, we will send to the Township Board.

10.  New Business

a.      Welcome our new secretary

b.      Out buildings and set back discussion – Zoning Ordinance Section 29.02*.  Martin shared there are three (3) to four (4) instances a year where out buildings, due to lot size and setbacks cannot be added.  Variances can be requested.  Discussion followed on many of the numerous variables that go into the decision. The Planning Commission agreed its best to work with variances on a case-by-case basis, rather than create an ordinance to try and address all the possible variables, and agreed to leave the Ordinance as is. 

11.  Reminder - Our next regular scheduled meeting will be Thursday, April 3, 2025.

12.  Adjournment – Frederick made the motion; Hanlon seconded the motion to adjourn. Motion passed unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 8:15pm.

Minutes submitted byJanet Cuatt, Secretary

Sheridan Township Planning Commission

Rick Offerson, Chair

Sheridan Township Planning Commission

Approved at the April 3, 2025 meeting of the Sheridan Township Planning Commission.

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

**Public comment from Persons addressing the Township Planning Commission on agenda items will be limited to three (3) minutes or one speaker representing a group of people twenty (20) minutes. Proper decorum is required.