Planning Commission Minutes

January 24, 2005 - 7:30 pm
City Council Chambers

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Wascher at 7:30 p.m.

Roll Call was taken by Secretary Baker.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Ronald Baker, Gary Burk, Mike Bruff, Jack Davis, Janet Drews, John Greenway, Sue Osika, Richard Snow, William Wascher .

MEMBERS ABSENT:  Robert Teich, Michael Compeau.

MINUTES:

It was moved by Commissioner Greenway and supported by Commissioner Osika to approve the minutes of the meeting of November 22, 2004 as presented.

AYES: All, Motion Carried
NAYS:

PUBLIC HEARINGS:

Partial Street Closing 2005-01

Abrey Street From 132’ North of Allendale north to the now closed portion of Abrey Street.

Gary Burk, City Utilities Director, explained the need for the street closure. All the land on both sides of this portion of Abrey Street is owned by the Water Department. This area will be fenced to provide added security to the Water Plant. The river bank will be opened up for public use.

It was moved by Commissioner Snow and supported by Commissioner Osika to recommend the City Council approve the partial street closure of Abrey Street from 132’ north of Allendale, north, to the now closed Abrey Street and to retain the utility easements of record.

AYES: All, Motion Carried
NAYS:

SITE PLANS:

SPR – 2005 – 01

Toledo Commutator 1101 S. Chestnut Street,   9877 sft of Storage Addition

Scott Perrin of Perrin Construction, discussed the planned building expansion, the removed parking will be relocted to the south east corner of the parking area. All the drainage now goes into the drainage ditch along the west side of Tracy Street. The City owns the property where the drainage ditch is located to the large ditch at the now closed Hiram Street. It was decided to waive the need for an obscuring fence along the east side of Toledo Commutator’s property.

It was moved by Commissioner Greenway and supported by Commissioner Osika, to approve the final site plan as presented with the provision that the drainage outlet undergo a review with the County Drain Commissioner.  It was found that no good reason existed for an obscuring fence along the east side of the property and this requirement was waived.

AYES:  All, Motion Carried
NAYS:

ITEMS OF BUSINESS: Parks and Recreation Plan

a)     Review of Plan Status

      Phil Hathaway, Community Development Director, gave a brief update of the Parks Plan and what parks had been reviewed to date.

b)   Review of Facility Deficiency List

      The list of the amenity deficiencies in the parks, from a community survey, was reviewed and discussed with the following changes:  remove the paintball facility from the list for liability reasons and remove the miniature golf facility because this should be a private recreation venture on private property.

c)     Travelers, Visitors and Tourists Section

      Phil Hathaway showed slides that showed how our park system is a part of the amenities that tourist and vistors look for when visiting Owosso. He also listed the 25 tourist attractions in the Owosso area and member added suggestions for other attractions.

d)     Individual Park Plans

i)                 Hugh Parker Field/Rosevear Park

Phil Hathaway talked about the history of the Soccer Field and the tree planting plan.  Tree suggestions include awareness of tree litter on the soccer fields and retention of a view corridor for the landscaping from south bound Gould Street.  Rosevear Park should be kept as a wooded park area used as an interpretive botany educational class room together with woodlot protection for the forested areas south of the park.

ii)                Fayette Square

An extensive flower garden plan has been designed for this central park. The garden club has adopted this park to showcase their talents. When more developed with the planned flower gardens, the name could be changed to Fayette Gardens to improve the marketing of the site.  The plan as was provided in the 1996 Master Plan was reaffirmed.

COMMISSIONER/CITIZEN COMMENTS: It was noted that Samantha Stechschulte had resigned from the planning commission due to added time commitments in her schedule.

ADJOURNMENT:

It was moved by Commissioner Drews and supported by Commissioner Osika to adjourn the meeting.

AYES: All Motion Carried
NAYS:

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

Ronald Baker
Secretary