Village of northport planning commission meeting

07-16-14 DM

VILLAGE OF NORTHPORT

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

Northport Village Office

116 West Nagonaba St., Northport, MI 49670

Wednesday, July 16, 2014
DRAFT MINUTES
I. Call to Order: Chairman Walraven called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Members present: Barry, Collins, Cook, Kehl, Verdon, Watson, Walraven. Staff: King, Scripps. Public: 7.

II. Approval of Minutes:

1. 
   Minutes of June 18, 2014:
   

MOVED BY COOK, SECONDED BY VERDON TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF JUNE 18, 2014 AS PRESENTED. MOTION APPROVED 7-0.

III. Open Forum:

1. 
   Ray Kellogg and Eric Allchin (R&T Properties, LLC) are in the final phase of renovating and restoring the former Galley on Nagonaba Street for a business use on the first floor, and a one-bedroom apartment on the second story as a possible short term rental.
   

Mr. Kellogg and Mr. Allchin asked for clarification on the process and procedures to be followed to meet the requirements of the parking ordinance, and in applying for short term rental once the building is renovated.

A lengthy discussion followed defining the area planned for parking, size of the space, the proposed number of spots available for renter and employees, ingress and egress, and issues of drainage and grading. Mr. Kellogg added that parking is through a 12-foot easement agreement between himself and Mr. Dan Deering, owner of Tom’s, to pave 110-feet of the property.
Mr. Kellogg stated that as the use of the building remains the same, would the property fall under “grandfathering”, or would a Site Plan Review be required.
Chair Walraven defined what is needed from Mr. Kellogg to begin the process. He added that no on-street parking is allowed in granting short term rentals, and parking options would need to be addressed.
Zoning Administrator King stated that after 2006 all short term rentals required a public hearing, for a Special Use Permit and Site Plan Review. He will look into whether this property falls under grandfathering.
Mr. Kellogg stated that he will provide Zoning Administrator King with the necessary information in moving forward. Zoning Administrator King will schedule a public hearing for August 2014, if time allows.
2. Pam Steffens also discussed short term rentals. She thought the public

hearing request from Anne Harper was scheduled for this meeting.

She expressed concerns regarding the Harper property, including parking concerns. Fourth Street has narrow pavement, and some driveways are in the

street right of way.

Mrs. Steffens also expressed concern over the number of homes that are now used as vacation rentals. It is a situation that could affect property values and use of our beaches. She added that President Von Voigtlander had indicated that if parking regulations weren’t followed, fines could be assessed to the property owners.
Chair Walraven stated that a large issue in dealing with short term rentals is enforcement. That Special Use, Site Plan Review requirements includes local management to help resolve the issue.

3. 
   Karl Wizinski stated that the current short term rental ordinance is solid and very fair based on his experience. Short term rentals can be done well, and be a benefit to the community. Mr. Wizinski also discussed the benefits of short term rentals to help off-set non-homestead taxes. He then briefly brought up the topic need for affordable housing, and how that differs from short term rentals – they are two different matters.
   

Commissioner Verdon added that in the past property owners offered short term rentals for the summer, and returned in the winter months, and how that has changed.

IV. Correspondence: None.

V. New Business:

1. 
   Village of Northport Peddler Ordinance “Draft”: Chair Walraven opened the discussion stating that he questions the Planning Commission drafting ordinance language, because the Planning Commission handles zoning issues. The Village Council deals with ordinances.
   

Commissioner Verdon stated that at the last Planning Commission meeting a committee of two members of the Planning Commission (Commissioners Watson and Verdon) was formed, with plans to ask President Von Voigtlander to appoing a council member to address vending issues in the Village. Von Voightlander recommended that the Planning Commission Sub Committee members attend the Finance Committee meeting where this issue could be discussed. Verdon stated that during Finance Committee meeting which Jim Watson and she attended, they asked President Von Voigtlander to join the committee She declined stating it is up to the Planning Commission to develop zoning language.

Commissioner Verdon added that there is confusion in the Village regarding vending. She and Commissioner Watson have discussed going to the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses asking for input. She continued that the committee has reviewed varying vendor ordinances from other townships, and from that review Commissioner Watson prepared the language before the Planning Commission at this meeting.

She continued after meeting with President Von Voigtlander, the impression is that she is satisfied with what is in place now.

Chairman Walraven stated that in dealing with the ordinance, he can understand why President Von Voigtlander could feel that way, but zoning is a different issue.

Commissioners Watson and Verdon’s question is whether or not the Planning Commission should proceed with drafting zoning language without further direction.

Zoning Administrator King stated that the Finance Committee wasn’t aware that the vending issue was added to its meeting agenda, and wondered how it became a Planning Commission matter. He thought that the Planning Commission’s committee was formed to review the ordinance in place and the outdated vendor policy. Zoning is another issue that needs to be resolved, along with the confusion in the process.

Commissioner Verdon stated that part of the confusion in this matter is the Chamber of Commerce’s criteria for allowing vendors, the events it sponsors, and what is allowed by the Village. She thought that one of the goals of developing draft language was to ensure that decisions weren’t being made arbitrarily, and there would be something for the public to work with.

A lengthy discussion followed. Chair Walraven clarified the role of the Chamber of Commerce, provided a list of Chamber of Ccommerce sponsored events, and stated that a fair number of businesses in the Village are members.

Chair Walraven stated that he might have stirred the pot when looking into general vending rules and regulations in Traverse City and Suttons Bay. In reviewing the Village’s ordinance and outdated vending policy as written he found that in the past the Village was not in compliance with its own ordinance. That was how the Planning Commission got involved.

Commissioner Barry referred to the draft language from Commissioner Watson as a good starting point as it covers much of what has been discussed. How can the Planning Commission get the draft to the village council to consider . After discussion, Commissioner Watson volunteered to request that vending be added as a discussion item to the Village Council’s August 7, 2014.

C. Village President Correspondence: Zoning Administrator King read correspondence from Village President Von Voigtlander that was sent to him and Chair Walraven. In her memo she stated that there are a few homes in the Village that are short term rentals that were grandfathered in before the zoning ordinance went into effect in 2006, but then listed several other properties that have not gone through the process of approval.

Zoning Administrator King stated that he could contact those owners to begin resolution of this matter.

4. 
   Short Term Rental Request: Zoning Administrator King stated that he has received an application for a short term rental from Ann Harper and Gregory Nobles. He will follow up with them to schedule a Public Hearing for August 20, 2014, once he has received all of the needed documentation.
   

Zoning Administrator King continued that short term rentals are becoming more prevalent, and he will contact property owners who might not be aware or approved for short term rentals.

VI. Old Business:

1. 
   Commissioner Collins asked is there had been any Village Council discussion on signage for the golf course, which had been discussed some time ago. He would like to ask Commissioner Barry to do a survey of where such signs should go. Commissioner Collins asked that this item be added as discussion to the August agenda.
   

Mr. Karl Wizinski, a member of the public, asked if there were any other private enterprises under Village logo signage. Chair Walraven replied no, but there is discussion that Mr. Collins would at some point give the golf course to the Village, and then it would be Village property.

Mr. Wizinski agreed, but until it belongs to the Village he might also like a Micro-brewery sign.

Mr. Collins added that he would also like signage pointing out other places of interest the public would like to know about.

2. 
   Zoning Administrator King stated that Mr. Mike McCartney is trying to sell the balance of land not used at the Highlands – land that wraps around it where he wanted to do the chalets. The area he didn’t demolish he wants to put up four two-story buildings. He continued that in the next week or so there could be an option to purchase it. The interested parties provided the attached document, and are planning to construct an Eco-Village at Grand Traverse on that land.
   

A brief discussion followed, and more information will be provided if the project moves forward.

3. Karl Wizinski asked if an approval is given for a site plan and it is not completed, what is the process for undoing it? If you have a condominium project approved and years pass and only a portion of it is built, how do you undo the agreement? What is the process for undoing a master plan for a site when it doesn’t get built?

Mr. Wizinski continued with the location of a condominium plot complex that included about seven lots. Zoning Administrator King stated that property was never approved as a condominium project, but as a land division for single family lots.

Mr. Wizinski asked if there was an approved site plan? Zoning Administrator King stated that the site plan was part of the land division. He continued this was not a zoning matter. This was a Village Council matter of a land division.

4. John Webber suggested that when members of the public are in attendance and documents are being distributed it would be helpful, if they are brief enough, to have them read in at the meeting. He is interested in the content, and the public would like the documents in front of them. It would be helpful to know what you are discussing.

VII. Old Business: None.

VIII. Motion to Adjourn:

MOVED BY KEHL, SUPPORTED BY BARRY TO ADJOURN.

MOTION APPROVED 7-0. The meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Merilee Scripps, Recording Secretary

The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 20, 2014.