Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

Let's begin with our pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. He's here. He is here. [laughter] Is there a reason you didn't wait for me? No, just wanted to start on time. We thought you might be in a ditch somewhere. Next time, please wait. I assume we're already recording, so the entire township is going to know that I was on time. It's the first time ever.

[snorts] Strategically edit the table.

We'll strategically edit the table. [clears throat] What? Okay. All right. Thanks for your indulgence. So, uh, everybody, welcome to the January meeting of the Union Township Planning Commission. Uh, we've had the pledge of allegiance. So, roll call, please.

Um, Bradshaw here. Brown here. Ace here. Lap here. McDonald here. Shingle here, here, here. All right. Thank you. Um, let's see. So, next item is approval of the agenda. Agenda is before you. Uh, I'm informed that there might need to be a change to the agenda. Uh, is there any motion to modify the agenda? Uh, move to modify the agenda and remove uh item uh under other business, the master plan update.

Okay. Okay. So, there was a motion by shingles, I guess, a second by lap to modify the agenda by removing item nine. Are there any other changes to the agenda? If not, then uh [snorts] to approve the agenda as amended, please say I. I. [clears throat] I. Any opposed? Okay. So, we have our agenda. Uh next item is the minutes. Minutes of November 18th. We didn't meet in December. That meeting was cancelled due to lack of agenda items. So we last met in November. Are there any corrections, changes, additions to the November 18th minutes?

I move to accept the minutes. Second. So motion was by lap. Uh I heard Bradshaw first give it to Well, we'll we'll give it to Bradshaw. Bradshaw second to approve the minutes of November 18th as prepared. Any further discussion? Not those in favor, please say I. I. I. Any opposed? Okay. So our mo minutes of November are approved. Next item is correspondence, board reports and presentations. First item as always is Commissioner Thering updates from board of trustees.

Thank you. I have three things I'd like to talk about. One, uh the board of trustees approved a contract to develop a conceptual development plan for the new access off of Isabella Road to alleviate traffic at the Renaissance Academy. It's uh this conceptual development plan uh cost $36,000 and was fully funded by the Sagena Chipua Indian tribe. So more to come on that as as we get closer and closer to that that project. Um, we've had the first and second reading and adoption of the proposed amendment to add firearm dealer for home occupation and zoning ordinance. Um, we just last Wednesday the board of trustees had the second and reading and adoption and we had quite a lengthy [snorts] discussion. Um, but in the end we we approved it. Uh, one of the things, uh, we had a a trustee and I really appreciate the due diligence he he played, uh, in asking his questions, talked about like being transparent. Um, we had a lot of discussion about that, a lot of discussion about the things that we all talked about. So, it was it was good to kind of review that again and at the end of the day, we we approved it. Um, also the township [cough]

[clears throat]

entered a entered an agreement for the paving of Lincoln Road from River to Pickard with the Isabella County Road Commission and the Sagonaut Chipondian tribe. So that'll happen looks like sometime in 2026. [snorts] Oh, also uh get the word out we have an open seat with Mr. Olver being newly elected to the uh board of trustees. We will need to fill that spot. Also would like to thank Commissioner Hayes for his application. We had two amazing applicants. It was not an easy decision to make. Uh both candidates were great. So that is my [snorts] stew for the day.

Okay. Are there questions from commissioners for Commissioner Thering on board of trustees related matters? No. You know, one thing I will add is that I know that there are a couple applicants for the open post here and it's going to be on the trustees um packet I think for 128. So these are next. Yeah, because the the we h we have two applicants commissioner McDonald uh term will be up on along with LAP and Squatrito on the 15th of February I believe. And you, Jessica, you have your application in. Oh, I did. Okay. You do? And so does Phil.

And I was gonna I was going to mention something to you after the meeting. If you're interested, you're going to want to put that in. Okay. Um because that's something that we will take care of at our meeting next week. Okay. Thank you. I think yes. Is it next week? Two weeks from next week. 28th. Next. Yeah. Well, however many meetings we have until So, if we have two, it'll be two meetings for tomorrow. Yes. I just want to say that if there's anybody here that did have their vacancies coming up or anybody in the public that was listening and wanting to get their applications, do that. Now's time to So, we might have two meetings. I I think we have two meetings before our next meeting. So, [snorts]

it won't be the next meeting. I'm sure it'll be the following that will Okay, we'll take care of that. Other other questions or comments on board related stuff? Um, can you what is what is going to be happening on Isabella at the Renaissance? I mean, I've for the first time I think ever I happened to drive by there at like 2:00 and I could see all the cars. Awful. So, what what are they going to do? What it what it is, if I if I'm understanding properly or correctly, they're go you're going to go down. No, you're going to come off Pickard and go around the back or Isabella.

Okay. Off Isabella before Mory Courts. There's a there's a road and you'll come in and around for pickup rather than coming off Isabella where you get the lineup of cars. So, you'll you'll go keep going east on High, right? Yeah, that's Yeah, it's High Street. High street. Keep going east like you're going to Mory Courts. Before you get to Mory Courts, there's I believe there's an access and you'll go left which will take you right behind the Renaissance Academy. And then so it's going to change how people who are picking up or dropping off students travel. It's not going to change the footprint of Isabella. No.

Okay. I believe I Yeah. Yeah, I think the hope is to reduce the backup going south on Isabella because instead of people waiting to turn into the lot, they'll go down to the light, get into there and loop around to the back. They've been asking for it for a while. I know a lot of different We've talked about it for quite a while and it's it's everything takes time. So, good and has funding now. You know, it's Yeah, it's a great project and [snorts] I can't wait for it to uh get there. So, okay. Anything else on board of trustees? All right. Thank you very much. Um, I don't know if CBA I don't think CBA has probably met since we last we last met, but any updates from ZBA?

We have not met since then, but there is a meeting scheduled for February 4th. So, okay, excellent. Have something to report after that.

Okay, sounds good. Any questions for Commissioner McDonald on ZBA related matters? Okay, if not, we'll move on. Next item is the always popular community and economic development monthly report. You always have that in your packet complete, you know, go-to document for what's happening in township government and all the boards and all the activities. Um, we always give commissioners an opportunity to ask any questions on anything they might have seen in there. So, that is open for questions at this time. I'd like to ask two questions, please.

Um, first is the the FOYA requests. Is that pretty typical? I've noticed that we maybe every other month he might get foyas that you report. Uh, [snorts] it we might have one some months, but two, three, four uh can be common. We have some that are regular uh that uh companies that are tracking building permits and things and that's that's usually reported as part of that. Okay. And then my second qu uh questions when uh the projection of what was going to be on tonight's agenda included the final site plan for the Coldwind's micro brewery. I just wondered if that is then scheduled for February hopefully.

I actually I'm glad you mentioned that. I would [clears throat] wonder if somebody would catch that uh coin brewery uh they their final site plan uh that was was submitted and have this meeting. Uh it but uh the only reason it needed to be on the meeting was there was some uh document documents some as recorded documents a copy of the as recorded sidewalk easement a copy of the as recorded storm water uh maintenance plan for the storm water management setup u and one of documents but these are documents that are recorded on the property the registered deeds office and they can be turned in and given a copy given to the zoning was a conditional. Uh they were having some trouble getting that part done. And so our thought was well, but at the time we wrote the report, we thought, well, we can just put it on the fly commission agenda. We can take action. The final side [snorts] plan, the fireside plan was excellent in every way. Literally the six housekeeping detail. uh so that uh you take a step forward, but uh they were able at the very last moment just before we were putting this packet together. [snorts] Uh they were able to get those documents to us. And so uh under our zoning ordinance uh that allows for administrative approval of the final site plan where there are no conditions that uh needed was able to actually [snorts] know I that you were off that I it was reviewed administratively. I think I actually reviewed it, but I think I actually reviewed this without the office and so it was approved.

Okay. Thank you. All right. I had one one thing on the um the code enforcement and ordinances. Um every month I come in here, I see Indian Indian Hill Shopping Center has the same violations. Yeah.

Pulling up for something not done. What? This is just a general question. I don't want to take del too deeply, but what are our general resources when dealing with businesses that aren't facil measures like that? I mean, they fine recently are they is it something that we how do we go about these kind of enforcements when we're getting continued violations like these and projects not fulfilled that they're agreeing to? Is it do we hold off until we reach like a legislative or you know a legal type of [snorts] recourse or are there they stacking up fines as these things kind of go on? I guess general question.

Yeah, that's it's a good good question. Specifically with regards to uh to to the shopping center at this point, the only thing they need to [snorts] do uh really two things they need to give us uh a a tweaked let's not even amend it but just tweaked minor site plan. It was all associated with a minor site plan that was approved uh administratively approved for some some changes on that site. Uh and it and it was really come down to uh pavement striping in the parking lot. Uh we had uh originally we'd asked them to widen the south end of the of the uh the lot where dollar tree store is where PBLO used to be. uh uh that area there, the the posts that hold up the the overhang are right at the edge of the sidewalk. And so any and they're posted close enough together that when you step out there, you really can't see traffic coming until you're out in the driveway. And so initially we said, well, we asked them and they initially uh proposed in their original minor site plan to add some digital concrete there to widen that sidewalk out beyond the beyond the overhead so the city people could simply take the extra step and be able to see safely and the cars can see them before they stepped out. U doing the work they were doing, they [clears throat] they essentially said that was not cost prohibitive to do that concrete work and and so we suggested that An alternative could be to simply stripe that area similar distance out whatever that distance was to stripe it. No parking fire lane, whatever you want to stripe it. So the vehicles will naturally stay further away from that sidewalk because right now they basically drive right up by the sidewalk. And they didn't get that striping done. And so that's that's where they are. It number one gives us amended plan that shows that the striping very simple. literally draw lines on the original plan and put a note there. Uh, and then complete the

striping of that space. And I think there's actually some some parking lot striping they haven't done yet either. For whatever reason, they didn't get it done before the the season ended. They can't do it over the winter. So, no matter what, this could be hanging around till the spring. No,

we did work with them. U communicate with them. This this was not an item that that uh we we have issued some citations to in the past to get them to this point frankly. Um this is not an item we we back to the the ticket route but uh we're just going to continue to work with on it. Uh there are a couple like that that are out here that are you might you might say that they have the long-term view uh to get things solved. Uh there are others that uh long term is take them to court if we have to.

Do you see that a lot with rentals too when it comes to violations? People coming in and giving complaints for similar properties having the same, you know, type of would be heating, maintenance, things like that.

You know, we our our rental inspector uh does an excellent job. He has developed [snorts] very good rapport with with the the landlords with maintenance crews. Uh and I would say that our our our landlords do do a very good job of responding when there's an issue. U sometimes if that issue comes to us, sometimes we don't even know about. We find out afterwards when the maintenance crews let our inspector know something was corrected, something was done wrong and was corrected. Uh but we found for the township anyway that our landlords are very responsive to uh problems that we brought to their attention. Thank you. I appreciate the clarity.

Any other questions regarding the monthly report?

Okay. If not, thank you. Any other reports andor correspondence that anyone's aware of that needs to come to our attention? All right, seeing none, we'll move on. So, we have a couple of public comments at our meetings. The first one is the early public comment, and this one is restricted to items that are not on the agenda. So, individuals who are here for the projects will have their own opportunity to speak to us. This is for uh individuals who want to address the planning commission on an item that's not on tonight's agenda. Um there'll be a more extended public comment towards the end of the meeting, but so public comment uh number one on items not on tonight's agenda is open at 7:18. We once in a while we have people in our electronic boardroom, but not tonight it sounds like. Oh, and Tara is here. Welcome. Um, and the relative throng of audience that we have tonight is obviously here for other purposes. So, uh, second call, public comments. All right, we'll go ahead and close that back up. And like I said, we'll have an extended public comment towards the end of the meeting. So, we're ready to move on to our new business items. We have two of them tonight. They're both preliminary site plan approvals. The first one is for expansion of the mobile medical response facility at 2026. Very appropriate. North Packard Road. So we'll have introduction by Rodney and then we'll hear from the applicant and then we will uh deliberate.

Excellent. Uh you you have our plan before you have our report dated January 9th. Uh, as we said, this is for a new training building on the MMR property corner corporate way in Pack Street, North Road. Uh, this is a new building on the site. It's kind of on the the southwest corner of the site. It'll be accessed internally through through the the existing parking lot. Uh, we did review the plans. Uh, and you have our report. There are some uh items on here. You'll note as we go through it, that these are all all items that can be dealt with on the final site plan. [snorts] U the uh uh the first item is is related to a sidewalk. They do show uh for our sidewalk and pathway ordinance. They show a new public sidewalk along both roads on this corner lot uh within the existing road rights of way. Uh they also show a connector sidewalk going into the site going to the existing building uh which would meet the requirement for the for the ordinance. Um and then they they did provide a a request uh for uh relief from that from that uh that provision. Uh and they based it on the the uh the sidewalk and pathway uh policy that's been that was adopted uh in particular on the on the item the policy item in there that that talks about where there's less than 50% of the streets in the in the section where they are essentially that that have sidewalks. [clears throat] And I would we we don't know a report that that in in the section around there uh 23% or so of the streets have sidewalks. In reality, the streets that front on this lot zero. So they meet the requirement. Uh meet that policy

standard. Either way, Packard obviously picker road and Isabella which are the two roads that save section 11. So that's where we get to 3%. But we have no objection to uh uh to the plan commission approving the plenary site plan with this request. If you do approve approve the preliminary site plan, you would be approving this this uh relief as well because they put the request on the plan. Uh there are some pedestrian related details that need to be addressed. U said they're working within the existing site. Uh and so they they proposed parking spaces uh sort of along the west side of of the of the property uh to serve this new training building and they've also proposed to to stripe parking within some existing paved area uh behind the buildings. Uh the challenge is is that uh the parking [snorts] along the west side that one single half essentially a half a half row there uh is not enough really to serve the the intended use of that training building and uh the other spaces are well away from it. There's not really a a pedestrian connection. not as not anything that's called out or or safe passage pathway for pedestrians get to get from those spaces to the to the rear to the north of the property the back of the property uh to that new training building. And so um what we're what we're asking for is that number one wherever they have barrier free spaces that there needs to be a direct and as short as possible route between paved route between that the perry free spaces and deer's building entrance. Um the uh there's also a need to uh uh to to revise that that that parking in the back. It's it it it's there's quite a wide owl there. uh parking between the roads in the back and they

should be able to kind of slide that forward uh and have a more reasonable row. I I suggest around 30 ft. Uh fire lane is 28 ft. Uh they could probably go about 30 ft would still be reasonable distance for people to to walk use those spaces and walk to this training building. Uh and then the last step is to provide some kind of a dedicated pedestrian pathway uh very free between those spaces and the training building. Uh the challenge they have is that the building that's in between these two is is essential warehouse building that has some loading doors right there. And so they're going to this I'm going to leave this to the civil engineer. I'm sure he can figure out a a good pathway that will work. uh and uh and just to show that on the final site plan. But the there needs to be a better and easier pedestrian connection between the parking and that training building. Um the uh couple other details one uh is [cough] added ordinance a number of years ago that called building form and composition and for commercial buildings we do require that section does require that commercial building have an entrance facing the street. this building, the train building. Currently, the entrance faces north faces the interior of the property. We're not asking them to turn the building around. Well, we're uh we're suggesting simply have a it's a very simple door the north side, have a very simple door on the south side that matches it. Just have a similar design and it it can ultimately be set up as an emergency exit, but there needs to be something on that side that matches done on the north. Um and uh we have uh a detail on the parking and that is that they they show the spaces at the incorrect uh length. Uh it's only off by [snorts] 6 in. U ordinance requires the minimum, but the parking spaces have a have a length of 18 and 12 ft minimum. They're showing them at 18 for most of them. And so they

just need to show it to 18 and a half. They have plenty of room to do that. Um so easy easy fix there. Uh we had a comment about about lighting, but that's that's really final site plan detail. Those are well said on the final site plan. So with that in mind, uh we're very comfortable with recommending this this plan to you for for approval. Uh primary site plan. Uh it on the on page 36 of the packet, page five of our report, we we did include uh four conditions. Those are related things we just talked about. and we include them as conditions in part so u this project could conceivably end up going through that administrative final site plan process where we simply check the box yep they met that condition yep they met that condition and then it could be approved administrative uh with that in mind we're happy to answer any questions we have

any immediate questions for Rodney while he's at the podium this doesn't show the additional door that would face out to the front way or is that right here in Northization site. Uh oh, are you talking about the plans? Yeah, the plans. No, it does not. It needs to be on there. That that's why we added this as condition.

And as I said, the door on the on the on the north side is very simple. It's very simple entrance. Utilitarian. It can be equally utilitarian on the on the on the south side. Simply set up to be an emergency exit. And that would satisfy that section. Anything else? Just at like right at the moment. Okay. Doesn't seem like it. So, thank you. So, at this point, we normally like to hear from the applicant or the applicant's representative. So, if one of you is with this project. Yes. No. Three of us.

Okay. Well, I mean, sometimes they come in and they'll, you know, give us kind of something, but if you just want to stand for questions, that's fine, too. Um, he raised some points, so maybe you want to respond to those points and anything you'd like to say to us.

I appreciate your all time and looking at it. Um, the points that he's raised, I think we've already talked with Scott Lapam or Scott Bell at Lapam Engineering. He is working on having those updated to take care of it. The extra door is not a problem at all. We've already got that added into our budget and into the project to move forward once we gain the approvals and gain the building permits um necessary to move forward. So, um we don't see any any issues with any of the requests made. Everything's addressed. So, if you have any questions for me and we'll be happy to answer.

Okay. And make sure you let us know your name and address for the minutes. My name is Sean Abrams. I'm with CMR Construction, 306 Conrad Road, Standish, Michigan 486. Abrams, AB RMS.

Okay. Any immediate questions from commissioners for the applicant? Okay. Well, I'll let you sit down. We'll be for now. We're we're going to discuss and if questions come up y'all everybody's here so people will be able to ask their questions. So you've heard from uh township staff, you've heard from the applicant. It is before us and it is um open for discussion and deliberation by commissioners. I mean, I'll just say openly, I think the idea of having a training facility for ambulance and emergency support in our area is could be a big benefit, you know, in the long term. Having these people that are highly skilled is not an easily job to attain for a lot of these type of professions. And I look forward to seeing what it could bring just for more people being in here from other regions, stopping, shopping, eating while they're working there. Do you guys have any idea of like just how many people you think would be coming through the training facility in a you know an average month? Like I don't know how quickly your turnover is. I don't know how many like just like would you have an idea like what the kind of usage is for your company about how many people we kind of seeing and maybe utilizing it.

Sure.

Um my name is Sean Miller. I'm with I can provide my address later if that's okay. Um so our class sizes are generally limited to about 13 students. Um it's a between 10 and 14 month program depending on what level of training they're going for. Um we find that the majority of those do end up working um for MMR and so it's a way for us to to build that sort of pipeline of of talent. Um but we also, you know, we're open to other organizations allowing them to um to or you know, bringing in their own students so they can hire them when they're done. But to answer your question, um 13 and we have two classrooms. Um we generally have about two classes running simultaneously or simultaneously. Um so it would be a maximum of of of 26 students and and three to four educators at any given time. Great. Thank you. Other questions? I'll move to approve the PRSPR25-06 preliminary site plan for the proposed mobile medical response incorporated training facility with additional site improvements at 2026 Northpackard Road TI14-011-30-00001-06 in the southwest quarter of section 11 and in the B-4 general business zoning district finding that the site plan dated January 5, 2026 can comply with applicable zoning ordinance requirements for pre preliminary site plan approval including sections 14.2P required site plan information and 14.2

standards for site plan approval subject to the following conditions. One, revise parking and internal pedestrian pathway arrangement on the final site plan to reduce the travel distance for visitors and to provide safe, logical, convenient, and wellmarked pedestrian paths from proposed parking to the new training facility. Two, confirm an existing or new paved pedestrian pathway of the shortest reasonable distance directly from each barrierfree parking space to the nearest building entrance on the final site plan. Three, add at least one south facade wall entry door into the new training facility building that is consistent with the design of the north entrance. And four, revise parking spaces on the final [clears throat] site plan as needed to meet or exceed the minimum of 18.5 ft in length and 9 ft in width.

Support. Okay. So, the motion was b made by McDonald and seconded by Hayes. discussion.

Okay. Hearing no further discussion, I'll ask for a roll call vote, please. Okay. Bradshaw, yes. Hase, yes. Cuadrio, yes. L, yes. The yes. McDonald, yes. Shingle, yes. Brown, yes. Motion carries.

Okay, thank you. So, that is approved and as was pointed out, it might end up going through administrative approval at the final site plan stage. So, possibly good luck to all of you with the project that you won't see us again if that happens. Okay. So, we'll move on to our second agenda item. This is also a preliminary site plan approval and the application is for expansion of advanced concrete at 4605 East Airport Road. And we will repeat the protocol. We'll hear from Rodney and we'll hear from the applicant and we will act. Uh, thank you. So, everybody should have uh the plans and have a report dated January 12th. This is another project in the same neighborhood. It's just up the street from from MMR. Um, and another uh good uh new building addition to an existing existing business site. This is the advanced concrete facility up on East Airport Road. This is a stretch of Airport Road, dirt road up to the north end of Packard Street. Uh and [snorts] existing business has been there for quite some time and they're expanding new storage and office building. Uh this is uh like the other one. uh did mention the non-conforming sites uh provision with the other one, but but this is another one that uh is the section 12.5 non-conforming sites applies where we we have a more narrow scope of what we're looking at. We don't

ask them to bring a site to up to meet every current requirement, but instead we look at certain [snorts] things. If you look at at public safety deficiencies first and then we have have to 10 broad categories in section 12.5 of potential site improvements and we ask simply that at least three of those categories be part of what's proposed on on the site plan. In this case as was in the other case they they exceeded that uh in terms what they presented to you. U the uh I have a few comments. This is another one where we we have a few comments. These are all things that can be addressed in the final site plan. U one is uh simply the the map scale. Uh the the architect who drew this plan up uh just a just noted the scale on the plan. Uh but but there's no visual element to that. And when you're dealing with digital plans where you're trying to read them on the screen, they might not be exact. You they might be a little bigger, a little smaller than than the original print version. And so it's always good to have a graphic scale on there so you can put a ruler up to it and [snorts] see where you are uh when measuring certain things out. So we've asked for that. We added uh they also element the hazardous materials language that's form that's in our application packet. They they missed that one. Uh this is I think actually a a hiccup between our our the uh web version of this form and and the PDF version of this form and that's something we're going to correct if you provide it. We're not expecting any issues with hazardous materials. We've just simply asked them to make sure they fill out the form and the final there's a you've been up that way. You've seen there's an existing log

cabin looking building that's not as old as it looks as log cabin design. They are proposing to take that building down. So actually this is the first time we've we've had somebody uh use that one of those 10 broadcast which is clean up site time taking that building down. It's it's der unfortunately anyway and it's part of the clean up of the site. So that will that will require separate permit where I'm working at that part. The uh this is another one. They show the sidewalk along the front. They show a connector sidewalk going up to building and here again they've asked for relief for the same reason as the case here. We have no to granting that relief. So there are no sidewalks in that area. I will give an aside on that and that is that our East, this is part of our East EDA district. Uh, and our EDA board that governs East EDA district uh has authorized a start of a project uh where our attention engineer uh has been doing some survey work in gathering uh recorded information related to the road right away in that area. East airport road, parkplace, corporate way, park drive. Uh this is all this is all an area that's open industrial. most parts of it industrial u and these roads are inadequate for industrial use [snorts] rural roads. U some of them may be private roads. It's actually not clear what what their standard status is. Uh if you've driven Packer Street, you've seen the signs that that that uh Brad Valley put up many years ago that say the road is abandoned at that last stretch of the airport. That's not true. Uh but the signs are out of the room right away and he has every right to put

the sign express his opinion so that bother them. Anyway, we are Eastgate has uh has provided funds to get their their budget to if we can if we can get all the approvals we need to actually have those roads uh reconstructed as I say all season hopefully public roads. Like I said, right now they're gathering the data and they're doing survey work and we'll see where we are, what we need. So the roads are found not to be talking to property owners and getting permission, but the goal is to actually set that area up to functional functional for it's really under utilized right now. Um so as part of I've said all that to say that as part of that we're looking at at having uh whatever we do will include sidewalks through there. So if we do the work if we if we set those up as classic all season roads the township the east will be constructing sidewalks through this space. So uh essentially we already talked about are the site items. There are a few final site details. One of them is with the landscaping. Uh they they do propose a landscaping improvement. It's relatively minimal. Just basically entrance way improvements the two existing driveways. U the uh there are some details that you'll need to provide. They're required in the final set. Uh but we call them out here uh just to to make that more clear. uh do have objection to the scope of the landscape. This is an existing site. Uh they're making some other improvements. The taking down of the the Derick building is a is a big big item.

So, uh this this entryway change is just a nice addition, but they they will need to address installation and maintenance to ensure that they those improvements stay looking nice in the future. But essentially, metal tree and some some shrubs. So, not not a huge change, but nice little nice little change there. So, with with that in mind, with those details in mind, we're very happy to recommend this to you for for preliminary site approval here. Again, we did recommend three conditions for the same reason they're here so that if they meet them with changes, then this could be handled as an administrative action. questions for Rodney while he's at the podium.

Okay. I thank you. I'm Bill Gallagher 46. I'm [clears throat] WSD architect and architect for the project. And basically um this called an addition. It's really just right now the existing building's got some leantos built around it. I don't know sees it. And they've got all kinds of equipment under it forms and um power trles and that sort of thing. [clears throat]

you really this this addition is basically to suck all of that off of the site and get it into a covered space. I mean, yes, it's it's more cycling, but it's it's better than the equipment. So, that's what that's for. And the front of it has got a warm storage area for when they've got things, you know, trying to be plasticized and those sorts of things. They don't use a lot of them, but they don't this time yet. If they come cold, they can't use them for days. So, they just want to keep something in there in a warm spot that the crews can get to, come up, pick it up in the morning, and that's really that's sort of the reason for the reason for the building to be there.

So, any question? Um there was is there a hazardous materials uh going to be on the site that's going to be the warm storage like this? I don't know much about what petrochemicals are used or what kind of process that but I know like in a lot of these we see the hazardous materials changes and any of that stuff that's housing it. Can you describe a little bit more about just like what the material that's going to be stored in the one?

Actually actually the the majority of their hazardous material is going to be they're going to have some gas in the canon gas. That's really it. The the other things are like Um they're basically industrial watered down Elmer's glue to help in in in the concrete. More sealants. Yeah. Pieces like that. That sort of thing.

Very very lowgrade hazardous chemicals. We did we did not know I think I sent something to Peter about the uh okay [snorts] sent something something to Peter I think on his voicemail about that in the PDF download of the um application there's one hazardous form which basically asks you to do every single last chemical you've got now how much air is how well it's stored and then the web version when I looked that up. Yeah, it's got the a different second sheet to that hazardous form thing which and yeah, we can certainly fill out that I I looked at that and I said that that actually makes if I were sitting on a commission that that makes more sense.

So I can answer your question. Use either one. You want to use web version? Go ahead. I know they're different and like that's what like we need to we need to harmonize but you have a choice either one will work just fill them out okay sorry getting down the weeds there in the application [laughter] back to it that's my question

other questions for Mr. I realize you're just the ar not just you're the architect you're not the business but maybe it's well known to anybody who works with them. What is the history of why it's two A's at the beginning of the name? I think it's to move to the top of the list when you're looking it up. This is this is the deal the old yellow pages trick. Okay. AAA consc towing always gets my uncle owned a heating and cooling business and it was named airco with double A for the same reasons. Yeah.

The only problem is probably when you have to keep adding on a cuz somebody else [laughter] 6ret these would be what we would call these legacy names because that alphabetization is probably mostly meaningless now. Right. Although maybe it's maybe maybe there are ways that like u search algorithms can like it if it favors those then maybe that's still worthwhile but okay I was just curious if it's a website name that somebody's already taken yeah tweak it yeah that was another thought that occurred to me was just that advanced is a fairly common name

any substantive questions I mean, these both [clears throat] projects are pretty simple, pretty straightforward. Looks like they're well put together. [clears throat]

I did the reading last time. Who's doing this? [laughter] I move to approve PRP25-07 preliminary site plan for the proposed advanced concrete LLC expansion with additional site improvements at 4585 and 4605 East airport road PID14-11-20-00005- 03 in the northeast quarter of section 11 and in the L1 light industrial zoning district finding that the Is that an L or an I? It's an I.

It's an I. Okay. [snorts] I1, sorry. Uh, zoning district finding that the site plan dated December 29th, 2025, can comply with the applicable zoning ordinance requirements for preliminary site plan approval, including sections 14.2P, required site plan information, and 14.2. S standards for site plan approval, subject to the following conditions. Complete and submit the missing hazardous substance reporting form and eagle permit checklist in the application materials with the final site plan application. Add a graphic style map scale to the final site plan. Resolve lighting and landscaping details on the final site plan per zoning ordinance standards

support. Okay. So motion was made by lap and it was seconded by Hayes to recommend or to approve the uh preliminary site plan with the state conditions. Any further discussion? Okay, hearing none. Roll call, please. The yes. Bradshaw, yes. McDonald, yes. Quadrito, yes. Brown, yes. Jingles, yes. L, yes. And Hayes, yes. Motion carries. Okay. [cough and clears throat]

So, good luck with the project.

Okay. So, we've completed our new business and we did eliminate the uh master plan update, but I guess I I'll ask Rodney if you want to give us an oral update as to where we are. Uh so, I I I did have some items for you. They did not quite get complete uh Friday and so did want to hand them out tonight. Uh it's seem valuable for that. You will have master plan material on your next agenda. Uh we we do have two business items uh that have come in. U one is a reasoning request, the other one is a plan and but there should I expect there'll be plenty of time to to work on the master plan as well.

Okay. I know those for February. The reasoning request will be a public hearing though, right? It will be. Yes. Fairly straightforward. It's a threeacre lot I believe. So just over three acres. So relatively simple item.

Okay. All right. So look forward to that. Um so we'll move on to extended public comment. This is the portion of the meeting where individuals are invited to address the planning commission on any item whether it's on tonight's agenda or not. If you want to speak uh e if you're in the room, come to the podium. Give us your name and address minutes. If you're online, make your presence known and we will recognize you to speak. Extended public comment is restricted to five minutes regarding any issue. It is open at 7:50. Nobody online.

So we have nobody online and we no longer have the audience in the room. So we will go ahead and close extended public comment until next month. Um final board comment. Um first of all, my apologies for being almost late. I don't know if I was actually late or not, but close to late. Um, you got an email, I think today, from Rodney, and I'll just remind you that Michigan Association of Planning has workshops both in person and online uh typically in the spring and summer and uh received a flyer and then the email has information on those. Always encourage people to [clears throat] uh participate in those. Um I believe our our bylaws require members to participate in at least one during their term. Um but so and I guess you you said you did a free one. Is that right?

It was a two-part webinar. Okay. It's free from the from map. Yep. Okay. There's another one coming up free for um solar development. I think that's on the it's on the group that I'll have to look at that. I mean the inperson ones, you know, there is a fee but the township will pay for those. um if a person is willing to drive. Um but yeah, so anyway, keep that in mind and let Peter know if you want to go to anything that requires a fee and he'll get you registered and you can go. Any other comments from board members?

If I may just make one quick training, I I appreciate Commissioner L sharing with us and we shared with you uh the recording of the training, the two-part training that she had and it's excellent. U it's an excellent presentation. I have to start looking at some of the materials and start did a little the first recording. Uh it's about the history of planning in Michigan. U and so it's very if you like history this is a good good one to look at but also just from the perspective of understanding where we've been to get to where we are now. It's very well done. Mark Wyoff who's the the main presenter uh is the Zen master of planning and vision essentially. He he was the editor and author of the planning zoning news for many many years uh and is he's a dynamic speaker as well which helps a great deal. But uh anyway uh you certainly have you now have the recording available to you. So you that can be part of your participation as well is to just simply watch the recording, take a look at some of the materials, timelines, things. They have lots of background materials. So all that's in separate email.

Okay. Yeah, I only had a chance to take a very quick look at it. Is there is it a link? Yeah, there there are when you see it u from what Commissioner Lap shared u you'll see part one and part two and within each of those boxes you'll see the link to the recording and you'll see links to various documents hand essentially you might say handcuffs okay that were part of that that part one and part two so one can do that at one's convenience then the the two powerpoint presentations are each about an hour and almost an hour and a half long so it's like three hours total

but it was really it was really fascinating historically. I'm not from Michigan originally. I'm from Indiana so very close. But um I just found the the history especially of the the first hundred years really interesting and then the second portion up to the present time the political aspect of where planning kept being moved around at the state level and then the tensions between federal, state and local. I mean it it helped it helped me better understand I think issues like data centers and things like that because you can sort of see it coming with the different administrations different priorities and all that is I thought I found it really quite interesting

very easy to follow lots of visuals yeah if one watches them back to back does that constitute binge watching probably what's the threshold for binge watching I don't really do it so I don't Oh, all right. Well, we'll we'll consider it to be certain level of guilt into the time [laughter] sucked into it. I would say it's a personal feeling of binge watching for planning nerd when your TV asks you if you're still watching and that's my favorite. Yeah. All right. Any other comments from board members?

You know, I had a I guess a comment or a question. I I saw on the economic development zoning board or planning board. They were they were talking about uh doing some purchases of land. It was like a discussion that was off that was in closed session and subsequently I talked to you a little bit and you was like, "Oh, you know, we've own a couple different places. Is there a place that's relatively available for the public or for us to be able to look up what land holdings the township has or like could we get a report on that?" I'm just interested to know like beyond just the parks that we have, what what actual parcels do we control, you know, under our ownership.

So, Isabel County uh has uh their has their GIS system on on online. Um, and you just type in Isabel County GIS, you'll find it. Uh, and it gives you it's searchable. So, you can search by charter country, Union Township. Uh, I think some of the properties are listed one way or the other. And that that should get you what you Okay. Yeah. I wanted to see if it was listed there. Awesome. Okay. Anything else? Well, have a relatively short meeting tonight. So, back out into the cold. We've completed our agenda. So, we'll stand and turn until February.