Chikaming Township Board to continue discussion of zoning ordinance text amendment

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New Buffalo Times

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Chikaming Township Board to continue discussion of zoning ordinance text amendment

Members of the Chikaming Township Board of Trustees decided to continue to table the matter of a text amendment to the zoning ordinance at their Thursday, June 9, meeting.

Board members approved the motion in a 4-0 vote (Bill Marske, who sits on the Planning Commission, abstained).

In May, members of the Planning Commission recommended to the 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.”

In the same meeting, planners also approved the site plan designated as Alternate Two for the proposed Union Green development (at the corner of Goodwin and Red Arrow Highway).

Planners passed another motion approving Alternate One if the township board didn’t pass the text amendment.

Alternate One includes two office spaces along Goodwin Road, while Alternate Two would revert the spaces back to residential.

Liz Rettig said that passing the text amendment eliminates commercial on all side streets because it was never intended that there be commercial on side streets.

Rich Sullivan said he spoke with Jerry Kohn, who sat on the Planning Commission, who said that the corner of Red Arrow and Goodwin was a “unique corner lot” that would probably not occur in any other situation.

He added that the issue of “never intended” keeps coming up; however, it was probably “never intended to have a loophole in the density that could be allowed (regarding the Union Green development) because of this” and that there are probably other things that were “never intended” in the zoning ordinance.

“I don’t see why we’re pushing this to have to be decided tonight when what we really should be doing is making sure that all of the things that apply to that type of situation are addressed and brought to the community, so they know we’re acting on them and acting on them as a whole package because if we start looking like we’re picking and choosing, I think it sends the wrong message to the public,” he said.

Sullivan added that the Planning Commission has already approved two alternates for Union Green, so passing it wouldn’t stop it from occurring.

Rettig said that she would prefer to see residential there, as commercial would bring more traffic to Goodwin.

Chikaming Townshi[p Supervisor David Bunte said “that’s where the crux is… We feel the public did not want additional commercial or to reduce traffic along Goodwin or any other side street going into residential neighborhoods of Union Pier; however, if we proceed with this (text amendment), the public says we’re fast tracking the development.”

Board members approved Bunte meeting with representatives from New Buffalo Township Library, Three Oaks Township Public Library and Bridgman Public Library on what funding would be with regards to a possible library millage.

Board members can then discuss some type of millage proposal to put on the November ballot, bringing it to a public vote for a referendum on whether a millage should be added to support local libraries.

A rifle buyback program for two police officers was approved. Police chief Todd Taylor said that, for a cost of $3,900, the program would allow each officer, through a contract with them and the township, to purchase a rifle and then pay back the township within a year.

The hiring of Brad Miller as the next full-time medical first responder (MFR) firefighter for the Chikaming Township Fire Department was approved.

A Special Land Use (SLU) permit, which would allow the construction of an accessory dwelling unit on the second floor of an attached garage at 15256 Lakeshore Road to be used for family only, was approved (with Marske abstaining).

Board members approved Bunte setting a date for a future special meeting with the park board and the township board.

Board members approved receiving clarity on the exact rental registration fees from Greg Nelson, code enforcement officer at the township.

Bunte said that the CSX crossing at Lakeside Road is now completed and the Sawyer Road crossing was scheduled to begin this Monday and the Three Oaks Road crossing will start June 20.

Bridgman Public Library Director Dennis Kreps said he expected this to be his last meeting representing the library and that, until his successor is hired, there will be representatives there.

“I just wanted to say how much I appreciate your commitment to library service, the earnest discussion you’ve all had supporting library services to township residents,” he said.

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA