Charlevoix City Planning Commission and

Downtown Development Authority Joint Meeting Minutes

Monday, May 9, 2005 - 6:00 p.m.

A) CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by DDA Chairman Hugh Mason 6:07 p.m.

Planning Commissioners Present: John Doublis, Francis Flanders. Dennis Kusina, Richard Hodgson, Diana Gully, John Hess

Planning Commissioners Absent: June Cross, Shane Cole and Gina Whitney

DDA Members Present: John Yaroch, Jeff Porter, John Kurtz, John Taylor, Dan Barron, Mayor Norm Carlson, Jr. and Hugh Mason

DDA Members Absent: Fred DiMartino and Jeannine Wallace

B) CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

C) JOINT MEETING WITH CITY PLANNING COMMISSION

City Planner Gerry Harsch reviewed his May 4^th memo (attached) with the Boards. The City Planning Commission is in the process of updating the City Master Plan. The Master Plan includes a section that reviews the downtown area. It is the desire of the City Planning Commission to meet with the DDA twice a year to discuss projects that affect both boards.

Members of the Planning Commission and Downtown Development Authority discussed various on going projects. Planning Commission Chairman Hess asked the DDA to consider replacing the shuffleboard courts in East Park and to preserve the existing band shell. Chairman Hess also express disappointment that neither the City Planning Commission or DDA was approached to look at alternate solutions to the fencing being erected adjacent to the Beaver Island Boat Company.

DDA Chairman Hugh Mason advised the Planning Commission that the DDA is currently focused on obtaining a completed design for the marina portion of East Park. Any modifications of the landside of the project will have to be addressed in the future. It was generally agreed that nothing was set in stone. There have been numerous discussions held in the past several years on the reconfiguration of the park.

Mayor Carlson stated that nothing is being done on the park. If there is an initiative, then the voters will look at it. Only after approval of the park, can discussions take place on the items to be included in the park plan. Mayor Carlson advised the Boards that the City Manager has proposed a new handicap accessible sidewalk to allow individuals to access the south pier walkway from the Beaver Island Boat Company area. Homeland Security is requiring the erection of the fencing around the Beaver Island Boat Company area.

John Yaroch is concerned about the security fencing and the fact it does not comply with the City's zoning ordinance.

Chairman Hess asked that the DDA plan to meet with the Planning Commission this Fall to agree on projects and assure that both boards are on the same page. Chairman Hess asked to review the DDA's marina plan prior to construction.

John Yaroch asked how members of the Planning Commission felt about the band shell and its relocation to the south end of the park. With the exception of Chairman Hess, members of the Planning Commission support the discussion of relocating the band shell to be more accessible to disabled individuals and to allow better traffic flow in the park area.

Planning Commission Chairman Hess stated he does not wish to see the Mariner's memorial relocated.

Jeff Porter asked the Planning Commission to consider modifying the Code to have roof lines in the downtown area to be peaked. Presently, new construction is incorporating flat roofs to allow more building height, but the new structures look like boxes. Mr. Porter also asked the Planning Commission to continue encouraging residential in the second and third stories of downtown buildings. Downtown areas that have residential continue to be thriving areas.

Planning Commission Chairman Hess asked that the shuffleboard courts be returned to the park area. Mr. Hess was advised that the courts would be replaced and he'd like to see the shuffleboard courts rebuilt. Dan Barron advised Mr. Hess that the courts were in need of repair and were a pedestrian hazard during events held in the park. If the courts were to be replaced in the area, Mr. Barron feels the courts should be placed on the upper level of the park away from the pedestrian traffic area.

John Yaroch asked the Planning Commission their opinion of placing an ice-skating rink in the downtown park area as there are individuals that would like to see a "Currier & Ives" setting of skating in the downtown area. Planning Commission members voiced the desire to see proposed costs on the construction and maintenance costs for the rink before voicing their support of the rink.

Motion made by John Kurtz and seconded by John Yaroch to adjourn. Motion adopted by voice vote.

Meeting adjourned at 6:44p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Linda Jo Weller, Recording Secretary