PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

Tuesday, March 22, 2005

1. Call to Order

The regular meeting of the City of Fremont Planning Commission was held at City Hall in the Council Chambers on Tuesday, March 22, 2005. The meeting was called to order at 3:22 PM.

2. Roll Call

Present: Dale Hansen, Chairman

David Byrne

John Frens

Robert Goscicki

Lon Vredeveld

Charles Whitman

Absent: Mike DeKuiper

Jack Butterick

City Officials Present: James M. Rynberg, Mayor

Richard Rought, Zoning Administrator

Michele Ribant, Director, Neighborhood & Economic Development

3. Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the February 22, 2005 Planning Commission meeting were approved as presented.

4. Public Hearing: Rezoning of portions of the Property located on the South Side of Main Street between Gerber Avenue and the CSX Railroad

The public hearing portion of the meeting began with the Chairman explaining that the Fremont Co-Op was requesting to have the easterly portion of the former Webb Lumber Company property located at 502 W. Main Street rezoned from Industrial to Business-Highway. Chairman Hansen stated that during the Commission’s earlier review of the rezoning request, it was noted that there are three zoning classifications north of Darling Creek between the Railroad Crossing and Gerber Avenue . The Commission at that time concluded that the current businesses in the area are similar to each other and would all fall under the “Business-Highway” zoning classification; therefore, the entire area should be included in the rezoning request.

Mr. Rought indicated that all property owners within this area had been properly notified of the public hearing regarding the possible rezoning classification and that he has not heard from any of the property owners. Mr. Rought then gave a presentation showing the history of the property proposed for rezoning. He also reviewed with the Commission which specific parcels would be rezoned, if the request for rezoning were approved by City Council.

Petitioner Rob Zeldenrust of the Fremont Co-Op indicated he might want to adjust the proposed north/south zoning line of the split parcel to coincide with a possible minor adjustment he may want to make to the proposed new property line on this parcel. He indicated that he would let staff know if he would be requesting that change before it went to City Council for consideration of the map amendment ordinance. Staff indicated that the rezoning request was acceptable based on either line placement and would be consistent with the guidelines in the Joint Comprehensive Development and Growth Management Plan. By consensus, the Commission had no objection if the zoning line were slightly altered to meet the lot final lot split line.

Being no one was present for the hearing, the Chairman declared the public hearing portion of the meeting closed.

Following further discussion, John Frens made a motion, supported by Chuck Whitman to recommend to the City Council the approval of the rezoning request as proposed; motion carried.

5. Zoning Ordinance Re-Write

Chairman Hansen explained that the Planning Consultant Selection Committee met on Tuesday, March 15, 2005 to interview planning consultant candidates for the Zoning Ordinance project. He indicated that the Committee interviewed four capable consulting firms and is recommending to the City Council the firm of LSL Planning, Inc. as the consultants for the project. The Chair explained that the Selection Committee ranked the candidates on a number of criteria (technical expertise and knowledge of form-based zoning, work plan/process, relevant experience, etc.) and that LSL Planning, Inc. was the firm that received the highest score.

Chuck Whitman commented that he had the opportunity to read through the proposals from the four planning consulting firm candidates, and expressed he was pleased that the Committee recommended LSL Planning Inc. He noted that there will need to be regular and clear communications between the consultants and the City and thought it was an asset to have the consultants based on the west side of the state in Grand Rapids.

Mr. Rought explained that staff will be checking references and will be negotiating a final professional services agreement and fee schedule with the consultants. He indicated that the City Council would consider the Selection Committee’s recommendation at its next City Council meeting on Monday, April 4, 2005.

6. Fremont Downtown Blueprint Program

Michele Ribant explained that the Blueprint Program is designed to help guide the revitalization of Downtown Fremont. She indicated that she was nearly done with the extensive gathering of information associated with the Program. She told the Commission that HyettPalma, the downtown consulting firm that is working with the City and the DDA on the Blueprint program, will be in town from Tuesday, April 12 – Friday, April 15. She explained that she has set up a number of issue sessions, focus groups, interviews and a community vision session, which will all be moderated by HyettPalma. She specifically asked the Planning Commission members to attend the Community Vision Session, and she encouraged them to tell others about the Session. At the Community Vision Session, HyettPalma will try to find out what the Fremont community wants its downtown to be and look like in five years.

7. Reports

Mr. Rought reported that the Fremont Area Joint Planning Committee (FAJPC) is actively pursuing the possibility of creating an agreement to establish a Joint Planning Commission. The City and Sheridan Charter, Dayton , Sherman and Garfield Townships may all be a party to the agreement. The FAJPC has appointed a Subcommittee to define the geographical jurisdiction in which the proposed joint planning commission would have oversight.

Mr. Rought stated that the Subcommittee has defined the jurisdiction to include specific areas around the periphery of the City. The Subcommittee will meet one more time before the next FAJPC meeting to review the proposed jurisdictional area and a proposed model agreement. Mr. Rought explained that each of the Townships’ Boards and the City Council would have to review and approve the proposed jurisdiction and agreement.

8. Communications

Mr. Byrne announced that he was resigning as a member of the Planning Commission due to work and family demands. He indicated he enjoyed his experience as a Commissioner and he wished the Commission the best. Mr. Rought indicated that Mr. Byrne had served the community as a Commissioner since August 1996. Mayor Rynberg thanked Mr. Byrne for his dedicated service and wished him well with his legal practice and family.

The Chair indicated that the Commission now has two vacancies. The Mayor indicated that he was pursuing candidates to fill those vacancies as soon as possible.

9. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 3:56 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Richard Rought

Zoning Administrator