NEW ZONING ORDINANCE At their December 8, 2014 meeting the Board of Trustees adopted Ordinance No. 48 (Zoning) which replaces BHV Zoning Ordinance No. 8. The text of the ordinance is available in paper copy from the Clerk’s Office and is posted on the BHV website at www.vil-bartonhills.org.
The Zoning Ordinance states [Section 3.03A] “Anyone who proposes to construct, alter any portion of the exterior of or move a building or structure…shall obtain a certificate of zoning compliance…” A structure is defined as “Anything constructed or erected, the use of which requires location on the ground or attachment to something having a location on the ground.”
So when you’re thinking about any exterior project (including landscaping), please contact Jan at the Village Hall to check on zoning requirements. BHV officials have worked hard to make the process as simple as possible and continue to work hard to complete reviews in a timely manner.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES The BHV Board of Trustees has set the following regular meeting dates for 2015: January 12, February 9, March 9, April 13, May 11 (annual meeting), June 8, July 13, August 10, September 14, October 12, November 9 and December 14. Board agendas and minutes are posted at the Village Hall and on the BHV website.
PLANNING COMMISSION The BHV Planning Commission has approved the following regular meeting dates for 2015: March 3, June 2, September 1 and December 1.
2015 CALENDARS Attached to this Bulletin is a 2015 Mini Calendar produced by the Huron River Watershed Council. Besides the monthly dates there are beautiful photographs from the watershed and great ideas to help you become an H2O Hero who protects water quality every day. BHV partners with other watershed members to encourage simple actions that prevent water pollution and help maintain a healthy environment for everyone.
SECURITY REMINDER Since the holidays can be a time of increased criminal activity, residents are reminded to keep their home, garage and vehicle doors and windows locked, and valuables out of sight. Be aware of surroundings and report any security concerns to Supt. Walter Esch at 734-368-7874 or phone 911 for the Washtenaw County Sheriff.
HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURS The Village Hall (Clerk and Treasurer’s offices) will be closed from Tuesday December 23, 2014 through Friday January 2, 2015. Regular office hours (8:30-11:30 AM Monday-Thursday) will resume Monday January 5, 2015. If you have an urgent need please call the Village Hall number and follow the after hours instructions.
HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN The BHV Hazard Mitigation Plan is reviewed by the Board of Trustees every five years. Following is their report approved on December 8, 2014.
Barton Hills Village Hazard Mitigation Plan 5 Year Review Report December 1, 2014
Hazard Mitigation is defined as any action taken before, during or after a disaster to permanently eliminate or reduce risks to human life and property from natural, technical or societal hazards. Communities can expect to encounter hazards of varying degrees, and advance planning is an important step towards lessening the impact of such hazards.
The BHV Hazard Mitigation Plan (HM Plan) was prepared by Washtenaw County with participation from representatives of BHV. It was adopted by resolution of the Board of Trustees on October 19, 2004 and reaffirmed by resolution of the Board of Trustees on December 14, 2009 at which time the review schedule was amended to provide for 5-year rather than annual reviews. Updates every 5 years by Washtenaw County and Barton Hills Village are required steps to keep the plan relevant to the needs of the citizens.
The three purposes of the HM Plan are:
1) to identify and rank hazards in Barton Hills Village
2) to analyze areas particularly vulnerable to hazards
3) to identify feasible mitigation strategies that can be acted upon
Ranking of hazards was determined on a county-wide basis with adjustment for local perspective using a program provided by the Michigan State Police Emergency Management Division. The program takes into account worst-case scenario data for frequency of occurrence, likelihood of occurrence, significance of impact/threat, potential size of geographic area impacted and total population impacted. The hazard ranking for BHV is:
1) convective weather (tornadoes, severe winds, hail, lightning)
2) hazardous material transportation
3) infrastructure failures
4) severe winter weather
5) wildfire hazards
6) structural fire hazards
7) drought
8) nuclear power plant accidents
9) extreme temperatures
10) public health emergencies
Communication with the Washtenaw County Emergency Management office in late November 2014 confirmed that there have been no significant updates to the Washtenaw County HM Plan (posted on line at www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/ planning_environment/ planning/planning/hazard_html) or to the Barton Hills Village HM Plan, which is a section of the county document.
Activity in the period from December 1, 2009 to December 1, 2014
1) Convective weather. BHV continues to experience convective weather although there have not been reports of damage from tornadoes, hail or lightning. High winds have caused tree damage/some loss of power.
Actions:
–BHV continues trimming of dead/dying trees on BHV property, with notices in the Barton Bulletin urging residents to do the same on their property. Adoption of BHV Ordinance No. 36-Trees in January 2011 supports these efforts. Vegetation is trimmed to improve sight distance on BHV roadways.
–Investigation of the emergency siren coverage continues. Funding from outside sources has not been available. Information is given to residents when they move into the Village concerning emergency information radio and on-line providers.
2) Hazardous material transportation. There have been no hazardous material transportation incidents in BHV. Hazardous spills on nearby expressways have occurred at least once and have been addressed by county/state responders in a timely manner.
3) Infrastructure failures. Convective weather does cause power outages in BHV. However, the frequency and severity of such outages has been reduced since DTE Energy improvements were accomplished in 2009-10.
Actions:
–BHV now has an emergency contact number that allows for reporting outage information to DTE Energy efficiently and effectively.
–An emergency generator for the municipal water system was installed in 2011.
BHV infrastructure is continually being reviewed and improved as needed.
Actions:
–update of the Water System Contingency Plan in August 2013.
–maintain hazardous spills protection devices in the maintenance area.
4) Severe winter weather. Winter weather has become more severe in the past year or two; however BHV staff have successfully maintained the public roadways and addressed residential concerns.
Actions:
–plowing equipment has been replaced as needed.
–adequate salt supplies have been purchased.
5) Wildfire hazards. There have been no wildfire incidents in BHV.
Actions:
–information concerning fire safety is printed periodically in the Barton Bulletin.
6) Structural fire hazards. There have not been any structural fires in BHV. There have been minor incidents of interior fire damage, most recently related to a suspected power surge following storm damage in summer 2014. Ann Arbor Township Fire Department responded in a timely manner.
Actions:
–fire safety information is printed periodically in the Barton Bulletin. Residents are advised to call 911 for emergencies.
7) Drought. There have been no incidents of serious drought in BHV.
8) Nuclear power plant accidents. There have been no nuclear power plant accidents in or near BHV.
9) Extreme temperatures. There have been no incidents of extreme temperatures in BHV.
10) There have been no public health emergencies in or near BHV.
Actions:
–residents receive an emergency preparedness booklet provided by Washtenaw County.
–information regarding West Nile Virus is published in the Barton Bulletin periodically.
–an email contact list has been established for emergency notification to residents.
–all BHV staff members are trained in CPR/First Aid (Red Cross certification).
–BHV maintenance personnel are trained in gas pipeline safety.
–the annual Water Consumer Confidence Report is provided to every BHV household.
Besides continuation of actions listed above, other strategies listed below may be considered by the Board in the coming 5-year period. Implementation of strategies is based on availability of funding and staff resources.
–publication of emergency radio and on line information providers in the Barton Bulletin
–publication of Lyme disease information in the Barton Bulletin
–notice to BHV residents re: emergency preparedness materials available
USUAL REMINDERS Often repeated, but always important…….
Fall leaves and landscaping vegetation. BHV staff will pick up material that has been raked by the homeowner. Landscape and maintenance companies/employees are expected to haul away the debris they gather.
Snow removal. Please keep in mind that the BHV plows need a place to put the snow from your driveway, and sometimes have difficulty working around parked cars, landscape elements and other obstacles.
Septic maintenance. Please call Jan when you have your septic tank pumped (at least every four years) so BHV staff can complete necessary paperwork at the same time.
Happy Holidays!