MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING
TRUSTEES OF BARTON HILLS VILLAGE
July 13, 2020
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by President Torres at 6:38 PM via online video/phone conference consistent with Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order/COVID-19 pandemic.
ROLL CALL Present: Trustees Al-Awar, Benson, Butterwick, Hensinger, Popp, Saldana, Smith, Torres and Turner. Absent: None.
Others attending: Asst. Treasurer Kirkland, ZA Perry, Supt. Hnatow, BHMC President Curtner, ZH Malan, one project representative and 11 residents.
WALL PERMIT Application for construction of retaining walls at 320 Juniper Lane (Alawi/Karim)
The project was introduced by ZA Perry and architect Chuck Bultman. The proposed retaining walls are on the west side of the house, replacing existing walls. The walls hug tight to the house, decreasing in height at the ends. Visual impact will be softened by vegetation.
The Public Hearing was convened at 6:40 PM.
–Neighbors at 321Juniper Lane have communicated by email with Mr. Bultman about several questions (retaining wall size, materials, pond erosion). This email train was sent to the Trustees on July 7, 2020.
–Neighbors from 321 Juniper Lane and 239 Barton Shore Drive were present. Impact on their views of Barton Pond was described as minimal to none.
There being no further comment, the hearing was closed at 6:45 PM.
Motion Following Board discussion, the permit to construct retaining walls at 320 Juniper Lane was approved. (Butterwick/Al-Awar/P)
WALL PERMIT Application for construction of a retaining wall at 341 Corrie Road (Staffeld)
The project was presented by ZA Perry. The applicants were not in attendance. A retaining wall for the new driveway was approved previously; an additional wall matching the first is now proposed.
The Public Hearing was convened at 6:47 PM.
–Neighbor at 350 Corrie Road described building up of the parking area along his property line, creating a steeper slope that encroaches in the set back. Concern was expressed for safety and whether this was a permanent situation. The neighbor is strongly opposed.
There being no further comment, the hearing was closed at 6:53 PM.
Motion There being several concerns and a need for more information, and due to the absence of the applicants, the Wall Permit review for 341 Corrie Road was tabled to the August 10, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting. (Al-Awar/Butterwick/P)
PUBLIC COMMENT None.
MINUTES Minutes of the June 8, 2020 Trustees meeting were approved as printed. (Smith/Butterwick/P)
FINANCE/FINANCE COMMITTEE The Cash Disbursements for June 2020 were approved as printed (Aux. Book XVI F(3)). (Al-Awar/Popp/P) The June 2020 Cash Balances report and June 2020 Budget to Actual report were noted.
STANDING REPORTS
Zoning Administrator (Perry) No report. Mr. Perry was asked for guidance concerning the definition of a berm relative to zoning. Motion Since Zoning Administrator Perry was not confident in providing an interpretation relative to the question of whether an earthen, man-made berm is included in Chapter 5.11of the Barton Hills Village Zoning Ordinance, the following actions will be taken:
1) The Zoning Board of Appeals will be asked to provide an interpretation of the ordinance question stated above at their next meeting; and
2) The Planning Commission will be asked to consider the question and make recommendations to the Board of Trustees for amendment of the Zoning Ordinance.
(Popp/Hensinger/P)
Planning Commission (Hensinger) The Planning Commission continues their review of the BHV Master Plan, and has called a Special Meeting for July 21, 2020 to further that work. The Commissioners will be considering how the principles of the Master Plan have been and/or need to be reflected in the requirements of the Zoning Ordinance and other BHV ordinances.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Recreation (Benson) The Fall Picnic has been cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Decision about the Halloween trolley event will be made next month after the public schools’ plans are known.
Roads (Al-Awar) Paving projects have been determined/contracted and will begin in August. Selected speed humps and culverts will be replaced in the next few weeks.
Environmental (Saldana) Initial contacts have been made to begin permit application for a deer harvest in January 2021.
Security (Butterwick) Signs for pedestrian/cyclists and no parking are being upgraded.
Human Resources (Torres) No report.
Long Range Planning (Turner) No report.
Water (Popp) No report
Zoning/Planning (Hensinger) No report.
Special Roads Committee (Smith) The committee has met with the BHMC President and Secretary, and significant progress has been made in negotiations regarding the roads. Work will continue towards the goal of providing three signature-ready documents to the Trustees at the August 10, 2020 meeting: Memorandum of Understanding, Quit Claim Deed and Maintenance Plan. An Implementation Plan was emailed to the Trustees earlier today (July 13, 2020). Appreciation was expressed to all those involved in moving the project forward.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS The following resolution was adopted and will be published in the Barton Bulletin/posted on the BHV website. (Smith/Hensinger/P)
BARTON HILLS VILLAGE
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN
[Resolution Regarding Antiracism]
Minutes of a Regular Meeting of the Board of Trustees of Barton Hills Village, Washtenaw County, Michigan held by video/phone conference due to COVID-19, on the 13th day of July, 2020 at 6:30 PM.
PRESENT: Trustees Al-Awar, Benson, Butterwick, Hensinger, Popp, Saldana, Smith, Torres and Turner. ABSENT: None.
The following resolution was offered by Trustee Smith and supported by Trustee Hensinger.
The Trustees of Barton Hills Village oppose any and all forms of racism. We stand in unity with other communities in Michigan, in our country, and globally, who recognize that racism has a long history that continues to harm people of color and contributes to divisiveness. We unequivocally condemn intolerance – that means racism, bigotry, discrimination, and any other form of named or unnamed hatred. We strive to become a community that is welcoming to all residents, property owners, and invitees, and one that encourages neighborly interactions, specifically opposing any discriminatory or hostile behaviors.
NEW BUSINESS None.
There being no further business or objections, the meeting was adjourned at 7:54 PM.
Janice K. Esch, Deputy Clerk Approved 8.10.2020