mwww.newbuffalotimes.com
THURSDAY, MAY 12, 2022
5
Chikaming planners approve Union Green simplified site plan, recommend zoning ordinance text amendment
M
embers of the Chikaming Township Planning Commission approved a simplified site plan for the Union Green development, subject to conditions, at their Wednesday, May 4, meeting. Planners approved the site plan designated as Alternate Two subject to the following conditions: that approval from the county drain commission be provided, that a site plan showing a loading space and a plan showing screening on the air conditioning units be provided as well as showing a fence being moved back one foot from the property line. If the Chikaming Township Board doesn’t approve the zoning ordinance text amendment, planners approved the first option subject to the same conditions and findings. Planners approved and recommended to the Chikaming Township Board amending the text in the Union Pier Corridor Standards portion of the Union Pier Districts Development Standards Table for First Floor uses in Article 5 Section 5.01 (H) (3) (e) (i). The Table under Union Pier Corridor Standards for First Floor Uses currently reads that “commercial first floor shall extend for the entire width of the front of the building as viewed from the adjoining public street.” An amended text would read: “Commercial first floor shall extend for the entire width of the front of the building as viewed from Red Arrow Highway.” Planner John Chipman said that Union Pier is split
BY FRANCESCA SAGALA
be amended to between New allow commercial Buffalo Township uses to the Red and Chikaming Arrow Highway Township. frontage and limit “The discussion ground floor uses was how can you along side streets have two different such as Goodwin townships with two to residential, zoning ordinances Mr. Rottschafer in one town,” he would like to said. make a voluntary It was agreed that commitment the townships would to the Planning work together to do Commission that the an overlay district, The former Riveria Gardens, the site of the proposed Union Green limited office space which means it proposed along “overlays the two Goodwin (two 13 townships for that amendment as a “definitional feet by 14 feet spaces) would be little community, so they’re clarification.” replaced with residential uses.” all working from the same At their Feb. 9 meeting, Alternate One includes the ordinance.” planners approved an amended office spaces, while Alternate Chipman added that the site plan with conditions that Two involves reverting the “intent” was to have commercial included getting a variance. spaces back to residential. on the first floor in “these small, The amended plan for the Three parking spaces that condensed areas,” which are project, which has a planned were being proposed in that called “town centers” in the location at the corner of Red night’s site plan would be located master plan. Both Union Pier Arrow Highway and Goodwin between the northern portion and Sawyer are town centers. Avenue, includes 18 independent of the carriage house along Union Green’s planned dwelling units and one Red Arrow Highway and the location is outside of the Union commercial space. dumpsters, one of which could Pier Corridor portion of the Members of the Chikaming be used as a loading area for overlay district in the ordinance; Township Zoning Board of cars. however, Chipman said it’s still Appeals (ZBA) rejected a request On the site plan, a new fence is in the town center. for a variance in March. currently shown on the property He said the intent was not line; however, Schultz said it can to have retail on any of the pplicant Suzanne be moved one foot off the line. side streets (like Goodwin Schultz of During the public hearing, and Center) that are in that Progressive Susan Szymanski said no one’s community, but to eliminate it or AE, who was been addressing parking, rentals, only have retail on Red Arrow. representing beach overcrowding, delivery Chipman said that when they developer Brad Rottschafer, to the commercial spaces and got the ordinance and looked was seeking a variance that density. at it, it was interpreted by Kelly would allow 76% residential “We just developed Red Arrow Largent, zoning administrator, use on the first floor along Red Highway for pedestrians, for that Union Green has two front Arrow and 100% residential use bikes, for children, for dogs yards, Goodwin and Red Arrow on the first floor along Goodwin - where is the consideration Highway. Road. of all that we’ve done for our “We said, ‘Okay, but we community to make it safer, don’t want to have retail in a Per the site plan being instead of overpopulating it?” residential neighborhood,’” he presented that evening, she said. said, adding he sees the text “should the zoning ordinance
A
Nora Gyls asked if there’s mention of some units being wheelchair accessible as well as floor plans conducive to seniors and that “nobody talks about affordability,” adding that units by the same developer in New Buffalo are running at $600,000. She asked if there was anything in place to “curtail” the number of units that can be used as short-term rentals. Mary Paukstys said the development “will, in effect, be a big hotel, it’s going to be short term rentals, it’s going to have tons of people.” “We’re talking about 18 units with four bedrooms and somewhere between 200-240 people in a one -acre parcel,” she said. Regarding the ordinance amendment, Nick Martinski said that the planners “are conforming to the property rather than the property conforming to the rules.” The planners recommended to the township board approval of a request from applicant Rocky Troxell to convert an existing principal residence at 7237 Youngren Road to an accessory dwelling unit intended for family use. A public hearing regarding a request from applicant Edita Maier to build an accessory dwelling unit on the second floor of a detached garage to be used by family only was set for Wednesday, June 1. Planners approved a requested amendment from applicant planning commission chair Cam Mammina (who recused himself from the vote) to a previously approved site plan for a vendor truck to be located at 5870 Sawyer Road.
