A) CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairman Hodgson called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM at City Hall- 2nd floor.
Members present: Hodgson, Hess, Staley, Gully, Cross, Flanders and Whitney
Members Excused: Kusina and Dobulis
Staff Present: Harsch and Manore
B) INQUIRY INTO POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
None
C) APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Flanders Supported by Cross
To amend the Agenda to place item H) before G).
Approved by unanimous voice vote.
D) APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Hess Supported by Cross
To approve the minutes of September 13, 2004 as submitted.
Approved by unanimous voice vote.
E) CORRESPONDENCE
None
F) PUBLIC HEARINGS
1. Case #04-18SV – Citizen’s Bank – Sign Variance
The Applicant met with Staff on the morning of October 11, 2004. The Applicant stated that Citizen’s Bank had decided to go with external lighting for the ground and wall sign.
For this reason, the Applicant requested to withdrawn or dismiss their request.
Motion by Hess Supported by Cross
To dismiss Case 04-18SV, at the request of the Applicant.
Approved by unanimous voice vote.
H) NEW BUSINESS
1. Discussion regarding an ordinance amendment to include “site condominiums”
Mr. Harsch pointed out that the City does not have a subdivision control ordinance or site condominium ordinance. Section 5.5 (23)(a-j) does address and define site condominiums.
Mr. Hess presented the Commission with another example of the West Traverse Township ordinance that deals with site condominiums and the review process.
The Commission agreed to review this document and the Evangeline Township ordinance for the next meeting.
G) OLD BUSINESS
1. Visioning Exercise for the Master Plan
The Commission received copies of the vision statements from the prior meeting and were asked to answer the issues stated for each statement.
Issue #1: What are the City’s attributes which contribute to its beauty which should be addressed in its comprehensive plan?
1. The channel and lighthouse
2. Earl Young structures and architecture
3. The Waterfront
4. The beaches
5. Our diverse housing stock and architecture
6. Our small town character
7. Our Parks
8. The M66/US31 entrance to the City of Charlevoix
9. Quality and cleanliness shown in the upkeep of our homes
10. A City surrounded by forest land and farmland (a pastoral setting)
11. Castle Farms on M-66
12. The Petunias
13. Our trees
14. Our new City Hall and other public buildings
Item #2: What are the greatest threats to the City’s beauty?
1. Too many boats creating congestion on Round Lake.
2. Not enforcing the Blight Ordinance
3. Sprawl
4. Unsightly development
5. Strip development
6. Vacant downtown buildings
7. Traffic grid lock – traffic should be directed during events
8. Parking problems
9. Uncontrolled township growth.
Item #3: What kind of growth will adversely effect the small town character and beauty of Charlevoix?
1. Big box stores
2. Building size
3. Change in architectural design
4. Danger of creating a “theme” town
Item #4: What building attributes need to be preserved to maintain the beauty and character of the City”?
1. Preserving the Earl Young architecture (Weathervane)
2. Round Lake boat houses
3. Height and scale of structures
Item #5: What needs to be done to preserve our neighborhoods and streetscapes?
1. One zoning district use should not be combined with other district uses.
2. Historic preservation of our homes
3. Enforce the existing zoning ordinance
4. Amend the zoning ordinance if it is not doing the job
5. Maintain our “tree” program
6. Maintain our sidewalks, add sidewalks to retain our “walking community” character.
7. Create incentives for individuals to improve/maintain their property (elderly and low-income families)
8. Create a City program to families in need to fix up their property (“Senior curb appeal”)
Item #6: At what point will our public lakefront properties become over developed?
1. They are already over developed.
2. Study showing how much is too much development in these areas.
3. Too much beach development – no development at the foot of Clinton.
4. Too much development at Depot Beach
5. There is no enforcement of the required 50’ lakefront setbacks.
6. Preserve the SR areas of the City of Charlevoix
Item #7: How do wee assure that our City is not over developed?
1. Tell developers “no”.
2. Include “character” in the master plan.
3. Develop a zoning ordinance that backs up the master plan.
4. Encourage “reconstruction” development.
5. Give tax breaks for reconstruction projects
6. Encourage reconstruction of single family homes
Items #8: How do we guarantee that there is continuing access to Round Lake and Lake Michigan, and retain equitable opportunities to use these accesses?
1. Maintain and protect what already exists.
2. Acquire or preserve available lake access property.
3. Install signage showing the location of existing public accesses.
4. Upgrade existing accesses (Michigan Beach)
Item #9: How do we assure that the public will have walkability along the shore of Lake Michigan?
1. Obtain easements (above the ohwm)
2. Purchase “walking rights” across private property.
3. Actively investigate all Stated actions and legislation
The Commission agreed to schedule a work session for October 25, 2004 to continue reviewing the visioning exercise.
Mr. Norm Probert expressed concerns that the 50’ lakefront setbacks are not being enforced. He also pointed out that there are areas in the City where residents have paved into the street right-of-way area. Building heights was also a concern.
Shirley Gibson pointed out that the Zoning Administrator should be allowed to enforce all of the existing zoning ordinance.
JoAnn Beeman expressed concern with the water quality of our lakes, especially with the flow pipes. Mr. Harsch pointed out that those issues will be addresses at a future meeting.
I) FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
None
J) ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 7:30 P.M.