BARTON HILLS VILLAGE
PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING
September 8, 2020
The regular meeting of the BHV Planning Commission was called to order by Chair Weingartner at 6:05 PM via online video/phone conference consistent with Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order/COVID-19 pandemic.
ROLL CALL Present: Commissioners Curtner, Hensinger, Richards, Wallace, Weingartner and Zoldan. Absent: Commissioner MacKrell.
Others present: ZA Perry, ZH Malan and one resident.
PUBLIC COMMENT None.
MINUTES The minutes of the June 9, 2020 regular meeting and the July 21, 2020 special meeting were approved as printed. (Richards/Hensinger/P unanimously)
COMMUNICATIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS None.
REPORTS None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Master Plan 5-Year Review. Continued discussion of the Master Plan focused on points listed by Mr. Hensinger, and those raised by other Commissioners, including:
–The original Olmsted vision for the community pictured a rural setting, with emphasis on the care and enjoyment of the natural beauty. The parks were given Native American names (Cayuga—“canoe pulled out of water”; Minoma—“good water”; and Otsego—“welcome water”). There were walking paths through the woods, and the waterfront area was to be used for informal recreation. The Commissioners felt the general ambiance of the community continues to reflect the Olmsted design, and the Master Plan supports these values.
–The serious weed overgrowth in Barton Pond is being studied by a new, BHMC-sponsored committee. A proposal to address the problem will be presented by the committee to the BHV Trustees at their September 14, 2020 meeting.
–The Commissioners felt they had conducted a thorough review of the Master Plan. Mr. Perry and Mrs. Esch will provide a draft of proposed document updates for distribution to the Commissioners before their next regular meeting on December 8, 2020.
Zoning Ordinance. Based on the Master Plan review, amendments to the Zoning Ordinance were proposed:
–berm (defined as a man-made wall) added to Section 5.11
–steep slopes definitions and protection measures added
Concerns regarding the impact of construction projects on the roadways (lawn, shoulder and pavement damage), are being discussed by the BHMC Board in relation to their project review process.
Ms. Weingartner and Mr. Zoldan will continue work on amendments to the solar portion of the Zoning Ordinance.
Motion The Planning Commission will recommend to the Board of Trustees that they consider ordinance creation/amendment to protect quality trees, and to prevent erosion by governing tree removal on steep slopes. Mr. Hensinger will present these recommendations to the Trustees. (Curtner/Richards/P unanimously)
NEW BUSINESS None.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:12 PM. (Richards/Weingartner/P unanimously)
Janice K. Esch, Assistant Secretary Approved 1.12.2021