MINUTES

CITY OF FREMONT

FREMONT, MICHIGAN

PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING

Tuesday, July 26, 2005

A regular meeting of the City of Fremont Planning Commission was held in City Hall on Tuesday, July 26, 2005 at 3:20 P.M.

Present:  Chairman Dale Hansen, Jack Butterick, Robert Goseicki, Peg May, & Sherri Anderson-Patterson

Absent:  John Frens, Mike DeKuiper, Lon Vredeveld, & Charles Whitman:

City Officials Present:  Richard Rought, Zoning Administrator

                                            James Rynberg, Mayor

Chairman Hansen began the meeting by giving a brief honorarium for Chris Meeuwenberg who has recently passed away.  Chris was a member of this Commission from 1977 to 1980.

Chairman Hansen introduced our two new members:  Peg May and Sherri Anderson-Patterson.

The minutes of the meeting held May 24, 2005 were approved as submitted.

Mr. Greg VanBoxel, owner of the Soft Touch Car Wash located at 623 W. Main Street, was present to discuss plans to construct an addition onto the front of the existing building.  He indicated that he would like to construct an addition onto the front of the existing building large enough to provide space for two commercial rental units. He also indicated that both units have been spoken for.  The proposed addition would extend forward to a point 51 feet from the front property line.  The Zoning Ordinance requires a front yard setback of 70 feet.  Discussion followed regarding the existing setbacks of several building in the area as well at the proposed re-writing of the zoning ordinance which is considering allowing lesser setbacks.  Several other items on the plan were also discussed.  Parking lot setback, vision corner, sign size and location, and Main Street access.  Mr. VanBoxel indicated that the plan presented was preliminary and that he would take it and finalize it if he receives a favorable recommendation from the Commission.  A motion was made by Butterick, supported by Goscicki, approve the proposal presented by Mr. VanBoxel and recommend to the Zoning Board of Appeals that a front yard setback variance be granted.  Motion carried.

The Commission was informed that the next meeting regarding the re-writing of the Zoning Ordinance would be a presentation of results of the Public Charrette session. This will be presented on August 23rd.at 7:00 p.m.  All members are encouraged to attend.

The Commission was also informed that the Fremont Area Joint Planning Committee had received a Grant in the amount of $20,000 from LIAA to further study the possibility of forming a Joint Planning Commission.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:48 p.m.

Richard Rought

Zoning Administrator