SYLVAN LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION

 

Minutes of the February 3, 2009 Meeting

  1. CALL TO ORDER
    Chairperson Menuck called meeting to order at 7:30 P.M.

  2. ROLL CALL

                     PRESENT                                                                                                      
                Michael Menuck
                Rodney Knudsen
                Joanne Eberhardt  
                Russell Meskin
                David MacGillis
                John Martin, City Manager
                James Bull
                Aron Lorenz, Mayor
                Sharon Maurina, Mayor Pro-Tem
                     

EXCUSED
           

  1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
    Moved by Knudsen , seconded by Menuck .
    No discussion.
                                                                                        Motion carried.
  2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  

A.  DECEMBER 9, 2008 PUBLIC HEARING

Moved by MacGillis, seconded by Meskin .

 

No discussion.
                                                                        Motion carried.

B.     DECEMBER 9, 2008 REGULAR MEETING

Moved by MacGillis, seconded by Meskin.

 

No discussion.                                                            Motion carried.

 

  1. MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR BRIEF COMMENTS
    Chairperson Menuck opened the meeting to public.
    No comments were made.
    Chairperson Menuck closed meeting for public comment.




  2. Old Business:
    A. Discussion of Fence Ordinance
    City Mgr. Martin asked if Planning Commission felt comfortable with the proposed Fence Ordinance.  All of Planning Commission had concerns.
    City Mgr. Martin stated Vidya would be not coming to meetings very often for the year unless we are doing something big. He further stated Planning Commission would do what was done in the past by putting the information together drafting an ordinance.  From there, it would be sent to McKenna to review. Representation of McKenna at each meeting is costing hundreds of dollars.

    Commissioner Knudsen addressed different items in the proposed fence ordinance:
    ---Single-family residence – amount of height in side yard (4ft.) and rear yard (6ft. privacy fence).  He further addressed privacy fences enclosing 3 sides – he felt comfortable enclosing the backyard. 
    ---He also wanted to add an item addressing construction of fence material including wrought iron, decorative aluminum, and composite wood or similar durable materials with chain link fences being used in rear yard only.   Commissioner Knudsen said the proposed ordinance does not make it clear what is allowed and not allowed.  Discussion followed regarding improvement of fences.  Lastly, he addressed wording of permits, i.e. garden fences and their height.

    City Mgr. Martin addressed it is the definition of a privacy fence enclosing only 3 sides.  He further addressed not to have a 6ft. chain linked fence, but rather a 6ft. privacy fence in the rear yard lowering it to 4ft. in side yard.  He stated no attention needs to be paid to garden fences unless it’s in the front yard.  He also addressed chain link fences limit to 4 ft.  Chairperson Meskin stated he would like to see chain link fence not allowed.  City Mgr. Martin pointed out chain link fences are very inexpensive.    MacGillis addressed residents’ concern about types of fences thereby avoiding variances. Mayor Lorenz also stated he would be all for not allowing chain link fences because it does not add to the value of the house next door to it.  He cited some communities have architectural review boards that would not allow chain link fences.  Commissioner MacGillis countered this thought to stop residents from asking for variances.  Discussion followed.

    City Mgr. Martin stated most requests from residents are extending fences beyond the rear of the house, bring them up to  the side of the house, and sometimes up to the front of the house.  Most requests have been replacing an existing one, even replacing it in the front yard.  The bigger requests are to be able to bring the fence up past the rear of the house.  Chairperson Menuck asked what kind of fences people are putting in.  City Mgr. Martin replied majority are wood fences but seeing more aluminum.  Commissioner MacGillis pointed out one can see through a chain-linked fence.



    Mayor Lorenz agreed on being able to see through a fence.  He suggested the drawing on second page – lower view – an open fence, (staggered wood) but still providing privacy.  Discussion followed addressing an old chain link fence being blight toward the neighborhood.  Mayor Lorenz addressed having an ordinance officer issuing a ticket for a rusty chain link fence.

    City Mgr. Martin suggested putting examples of open type fence so people could see it.  He reiterated Planning Commission’s suggestions:
    ---Rear yard 6 ft. high; Side yard 4ft. with an open style fence (with examples).

    Lengthy discussion followed regarding putting fence down the middle of shared driveways up to the front of the house being right up against the edge of the driveway causing neighbors to be on each others’ property when getting out.

    Mayor Lorenz asked if people are asking for a privacy fence on the side yard.  City Mgr. Martin responded by saying only one has wanted privacy, the others just want a fence for the sake of enclosing pets or children – not an issue about openness.  Discussion followed.  Commissioner MacGillis suggested taking baby steps of fence rules to see if what Planning Commission did solve the problem.  Chairperson Meskin disagreed because there could be continuous costly changes down the road.  Discussion followed.

    Commissioner Eberhardt clarified what the ordinance will state.  It will state backyard 6 ft., side yard 4ft.

    City Mgr. Martin restated where placement of fence could be on resident’s property.  He said:  rear of yard up to six (6) feet high, side yard to the front of the residence up to four (4) feet high, no replacement of fences that are non-conforming, and restriction of four (4) foot height with regards to chain link fences.  With regards to putting a fence on a shared driveway, he suggested that both parties would have to agree.

    In closing, City Mgr. Martin will write up fence ordinance, go over with Paul Bibeau, the attorney, and send out to Planning Commission to review.  He also addressed “live fences”, shrubbery, bushes, etc. to be included in fence ordinance.  Discussion followed.

    Councilman Lorenz wanted to confirm that everyone was for bringing the fence to the front of the house.  Commissioner MacGillis said a vote was taken in favor of it.
     
    Chairperson Meskin asked for show of hands in bringing fence to front corner of the house with a height restriction of 4 ft.; It was unanimous and “passed”.

    City Councilman Zubrzycki addressed allowing resident’s requests.  He felt this was good for the neighborhood.  Discussion followed, also including wording of damaged fences and “illegal” versus non-conforming fences.

    B.  Landscape structures
    None

  3. New Business:
    A.  Discussion of cost cutting in Planning
    City Mgr. Martin addressed costs of planning services in the area of $15,000.00.  He felt we could do the majority of the work that McKenna does for us.  A few years back, planning commission did the work with the City Mgr. reviewing it.  When finalized, documents were then sent to planner.  He stressed individuals of planning commission need to take responsibilities of different issues in order to cut costs.   He further brought up a noise ordinance for the city that Mike Zubrzycki is putting together.  He advised Planning Commission to take ideas, cross out ones that don’t apply, keep ones that do.  Mike addressed and explained the proposed noise ordinance. Commissioner Knudsen addressed “noise” from DTE property. City Councilman Lorenz also advised reading the packet Mike put together.

  4. City Manager Comments
    He met with Tim Hortons and was assured the company was back on track.  He hasn’t heard back form Visions Optical.

  5. City Council Comments
    Mayor Lorenz     commented on scarcity of residents in the public audience at the city council meeting.  He further stated council is going through the budget and researching where we could get additional revenue. The mileage proposal will be put back on November ballot.  What mileage language will entail has not yet been decided.  He stressed community should participate in council meetings.  Mayor Pro-Tem Maurina advised getting word out to residents about meetings.  He stated a resident knew an individual who had written a book about community involvement and using our hidden resources.   He stated Patty Harrop is willing to run a fundraiser for the  tennis courts with the help of other people.

  6. Planning Commission Comment
    Commissioner Knudsen asked what city council did regarding tree houses:  approved; cell tower needs to be re-written with a clause enforcing all attempts, at first, to have cell towers put on city property to get revenue.
    Vice-chairperson Bull needs volunteers for Memorial Day Parade.  Stated Keego has 7 on parade committee.  He also apologized for missing meetings – will attempt to make meetings.
    Commissioner Meskin addressed what else would be voted on in Nov.  City Mgr.  Martin answered City Council members.  After attending the city council meeting, he had the feeling the mileage should not be pushed by a city council member, but rather by a committee who feels the city needs money.  He further addressed what the tax rate would be.  He is concerned about tax increase.  Stated he feels comfortable with fence ordinance understanding fence will not be “out to street”.  He would like to see rusted fences removed.
    Commissioner Eberhardt volunteered her time for research on future ordinances.  She said it was good to see Aron, Jim, and Sharon.
    Commissioner David addressed the “discussion of cost cutting in planning”.  His example was the Community Center.  Felt input should be from everyone on planning commission.  He would like to see more ideas for cost cutting in planning from people on planning commission. He further addressed garbage pickup costs; leaf pick up costs; businesses’ garbage pickup. Stated his wife and brother would like to volunteer for tennis court rejuvenation.
    Chairperson Menuck addressed mileage was maxed out for building of Community Center.  He stated a bigger building would cost more money;  bigger bills for heating & cooling.

  7. Adjournment
    Commissioner Knudsen made a motion to adjourn at 9:10 P.M., Lorenz seconded it.

    No discussion.                                                                   Motion carried.


  
_________________________________________________
Charlene Zink, Sylvan Lake Planning Commission Recorder





 

 

 

SYLVAN LAKE PLANNING COMMISSION
February 3, 2009


      Michael Zubrzycki

Justin Hatch