PRESQUE ISLE TOWNSHIP ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING
April 6th, 2010

Chairman Jerry Broad called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Roll Call: Present were Chair Jerry Broad, Vice Chair David Lange, Cynthia Paavola, Secretary Nancy Kirchner, and alternate Bill Lewis. Absent was Don Osgood.

Audience: Presque Isle Township Supervisor Patrick Pokorski and Office Staff Erika Comerford

Agenda: D. Lange asked for the subject of Don Osgood's attendance to be discussed. J. Broad agreed to add the item for discussion under "OTHER BUSINESS". The agenda was approved as presented with the above stated addition.

Minutes: There were no additions or corrections to be made to the minutes of the January 5, 2010 meeting. C. Paavola made a motion to approve the minutes as printed. Seconded by N. Kirchner. All ayes; motion carried.

Hearings: none

OLD BUSINESS: None

OTHER BUSINESS

Don Osgood: Following discussion regarding concerns of D. Osgood's lack of ongoing training as required in our by-laws and non -attendance due to wintering in warmer climates, D. Lange made a motion to remove D. Osgood from his position as a member of the ZBA due to lack of attendance and training. C. Paavola seconded the motion. All ayes; motion carried. D. Lange then moved to make a recommendation to the Township Board to appoint Bill Lewis as a permanent member of the ZBA, and to post/advertise to fill the vacancy for the alternate. N. Kirchner seconded the motion. All ayes; motion carried. This will be forwarded to the PI Township Board for further action.

ZBA Meeting dates for 2010: The regularly scheduled meetings for 2010 are to be:

April 6, 2010, July 6, 2010, October 5, 2010, and January 4, 2011

Supervisor: P. Pokorski commented on the term date list that had been added to the bottom of the agenda. He thought that it was a great idea and suggested that the rest of the committees follow suit as a way alleviate some of the confusion that has come up in the past. He also informed us of a situation on Lake Esau where a property owner filled his property 50'-60' beyond the normal shoreline to increase his frontage. During the investigation, it was discovered that others around the local lakes have done this as well. He asked members to keep an eye out for any similar situations until the problem is under control.

Review PI Township Ordinance & duties and responsibilities of ZBA members: J. Broad informed the board that he had attended an MTA ZBA training seminar in Gaylord last month. He felt that it was very educational, and he passed on some of the points and information that he learned. Topics discussed by the members were how to operate or make decisions at a hearing with and without a quorum, suggestions on how to treat each case/hearing, rules to follow when making decisions and motions, site visits, structure of meetings, interpretation of legislation and ordinances, how to address upset or irate residents, and denying requests. In regards to interpretation of the ordinance, N. Kirchner had questions regarding "line of sight", and B. Lewis confirmed that it is referenced in the Township Zoning Ordinance; however, no clear definition is provided.

Other: D. Lange reported on the activities of the Planning Commission. The Lighting Ordinance and Cemetery Ordinance are complete, however, there may be some revisions made to the Cemetery Ordinance in regards to the height limitations of memorials. He also added that they are looking into rezoning some parcels at the end of Evergreen Road due to some non-conforming issues, and if the property owner of one parcel who is planning on building on one of the parcels does not wish to wait until the rezoning is complete, the ZBA may have a variance request to review.

Adjournment: There being no other business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 pm. The next regular ZBA meeting is scheduled for July 6th, 2010 at 7:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Erika M. Comerford, Presque Isle Township Office Staff