LINCOLN TOWNSHIP-MIDLAND COUNTY

Planning Commission

Meeting Minutes

 

September 1, 2009

 

Susan Ensign-Chairperson, Sheila Mesler-Vice Chairperson

Reid Duford - Secretary

Members: Larry Surma, Denise Schneider

 

 

 

September 1, 2009

 

The meeting of the Lincoln Township Planning Commission was called to order by Chairperson Susan Ensign at 6:30 pm.

 

Roll call was taken:  Susan Ensign, Sheila Mesler, Reid Duford, Larry Surma, and Denise Schneider were all present.

 

A motion was made by Reid Duford to approve the agenda with amendment to correct the name of the presenter, in support of the petitioner, for the public hearing to read �Julie Wysong� and the motion was supported by Sheila Mesler.  Motion approved 5-0.

 

Motion by Reid Duford and supported by Sheila Mesler to approve the minutes of the July 7, 2009 meeting.  Motion approved 5-0.

 

A public hearing was held upon a request from F.I.T. LLC to rezone four parcels from current zoning of Low Density Residential and Business-1 to Light Industrial:

 

N. Stark Rd

N. Stark Rd

56-110-035-200-800-00

56-110-035-400-125-00

 

 

1661 N. Stark Rd

N. Stark Rd

56-110-035-400-180-00

56-110-035-400-100-00

 

Keith Thurlow and Julie Wysong spoke in support of the request in preparations of a possible future development of this 112 acres west of Stark Rd and north of US-10.

 

Public Comments - 17 citizens were in attendances for the public hearing (including petitioners):

  • Elizabeth Jackson of 1695 N Stark Rd inquired about parcel 56-110-035-400-180-00 with its current Business-1 zoning and its possible uses, such as gas stations.  Elizabeth is against the rezoning request.

  • Kathy Fogus of 1797 N Hicks Rd suggested the commission consider future uses or neighboring uses. Kathy is opposed to this rezoning request.

  • Amy Vargo of 1682 N Stark Rd opposes the rezoning request and is concerned about property values.

  • Kathleen Kemp of 1800 N Stark Rd opposes the rezoning request. Kathleen read a letter from her family stating that it is inappropriate to rezone property next to them. Kathleen had concerns of safety and residential property values and suggested the board adopt a LCMR zoning similar to the City of Midland. Ms. Kemp wanted to be sure this particular project would actually happen before reconsidering her opposition.

  • Elian Fichtner, attorney representative for Joyce Link who owns property on Hicks and Airport Rd, suggested the commission consider current land use, future land use and how the surrounding properties are being currently used. Ms. Fichtner stated such a rezoning would open the gates for other permitted uses as well as possible future conditional rezoning.

  • Kevin Wray of 1120 E Sanford Rd clarified that the petitioners had the option to request conditions to the rezoning request; however, the commission cannot unilaterally apply any conditions to the request as stated.

  • Jim McCandless of 1321 E Sanford Rd said that he was on the fence and he figures the property will soon be annexed into the City of Midland.

  • Joe Slaton of 1236 E Sanford Rd had concerns about the proposed future development and potential for noise from barking dogs.

 

Commission Comments: The commission said they had reservation of rezoning the parcels without more commitment from the petitioners as to exactly what would be developed on the properties and how soon the development would happen.

 

A motion to decline the petitioner�s request for rezoning, as stated on the application for Land Use Certification of Approval #4125 by petitioner F.I.T. LLC, was made by Vice Chairperson, Sheila Mesler and supported by Secretary, Reid Duford. Motion approved 5-0.

 

Old Business: Reviewed drafted Zoning, Existing Land Use, and Future Land Use maps that were prepared by Rowe Inc, and discussed correcting typographical errors and other types of mistakes or omissions within the current Lincoln Township Zoning Ordinance.

 

New Business: None.

 

 

 

 

Meeting was adjourned at 8:25 pm.

 

Reid Duford, Secretary

Lincoln Township Planning Commission

Midland County