BARTON HILLS VILLAGE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
May 15, 2008
The meeting of the BHV Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Laura Weingartner at 7:35 PM at the Village Hall.
ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Boddie, MacKrell, McCabe and Weingartner, ZPA Perry. Absent: Commissioner Nichols. Others present: Consultant Dick Carlisle and resident Chuck Bultman.
PUBLIC COMMENT None.
MINUTES Motion The minutes of the April 10, 2008 meeting were approved as printed. (McCabe/Boddie/Passed unanimously)
COMMUNICATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS None.
REPORTS None. UNFINISHED BUSINESS None.
NEW BUSINESS Mr. Carlisle led discussion concerning the process of developing a master plan. His comments included: –The master plan outlines the values of the community and is the basis for the specifics of the zoning ordinance that serves to legally protect and promote those values. –The planning process reflects a vision for the future. It may include desired changes but is not obligated to anticipate change. It may be a statement of community assets that should be preserved—things that should not change. The plan should project about twenty years, with review every five. –The master plan need not be complicated or voluminous, just effective. It is the guide for development of an appropriate zoning ordinance. –One initial task is to gather necessary background information about the community. This may include demographical statistics, topological data, natural features maps and documentation of public services and features. This factual information forms a rational basis for planning. –Documentation of assets in surrounding communities is also important, as it may not be necessary to provide for a specific citizen need if it is adequately met by a nearby asset or service. Support among communities benefits everyone. –There are a number of ways to gather public sentiment, i.e. discussion groups, informal meetings, web surveys, etc. The commission could draft a document for comment, or solicit ideas from the community. –In compiling a list of community values, it is helpful to think about 1) the identity of the value or subject (“what?”), 2) why it is important (“so what?”) and what action should be taken regarding it (“what now?”).
Approved 7/10/08 BHV PC 5/15/08 P. 2
Commissioner discussion included suggestions of community assets: –the Huron River and Barton Pond –private roads –undeveloped land –land use/zoning options –trees and vegetation –small village character of the community –low emphasis on commercial development –traffic volume and access to major roads/highways –agricultural land use –wildlife –variety of lot sizes
Mr. Carlisle received information about Barton Hills Village from Mrs. Esch’s files. He will develop a schedule of topics for future meetings. The fee schedule proposed by Carlisle/Wortman (April 30, 2008 letter) was signed by President Weingartner to indicate acceptance.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM (Boddie/McCabe/Passed unanimously).