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CITY OF MUSKEGON
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
December 11, 2014
Chairman T. Michalski called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Michalski, B. Larson, B. Mazade, S. Wisneski, F. Peterson, J. Doyle
MEMBERS ABSENT: Excused: L. Spataro, B. Smith, S. Gawron
STAFF PRESENT: M. Franzak, D. Renkenberger
OTHERS PRESENT: C. Peterson, 896 W. Laketon Ave.; R. Brush, 930 W. Laketon Ave.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of October 16, 2014 be approved, was made by S.
Wisneski, supported by B. Larson and unanimously approved.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Hearing, Case 2014-13: Request to rezone the property at 916 West Laketon Avenue from R-1,
Single Family Residential to B-4, General Business by Lakeshore Animal Hospital. M. Franzak
presented the staff report. Lakeshore Animal Hospital is located at 896 W. Laketon Ave. They also
own the property at 916 W. Laketon Ave., which had a house on it that was recently demolished. The
lot is now vacant. The property measures 39 x 162 feet and is considered a non-buildable lot because
it does not have the required minimum road frontage of 50 feet. The applicant is seeking to rezone the
property so that they may expand their parking lot for the adjacent animal hospital, since commercial
parking lots are not allowed on residentially zoned properties. Notice was given to properties within
300 feet of the subject property. D. Belonga of 1781 Division St. and J. Nelson of 973 W. Larch Ave.
called to say that they had no objection to the request. J. Brush, 930 W. Laketon Ave. called to say
that he is opposed to the rezoning because the property owners have not been good neighbors in the
past, their vehicles and snow removal equipment tear up the alley, and there are drainage issues with
their parking lot that make a mess of the alley. R. Keil of 936 W. Laketon also called to say that he is
opposed to the request, for similar reasons given by Mr. Brush. M. Franzak pointed out that the
applicant would be required to submit a site plan showing stormwater management and drainage for
the proposed new parking lot.
C. Peterson stated that they intended to put in a small parking lot with landscaping, and he had looked
into the drainage issues. S. Wisneski asked if there was driveway access from the parking lot to
Laketon Avenue. C. Peterson stated that there was. He also stated that with the additional parking
area, they should not need to use snow removal equipment like they did last year. R. Brush lived
nearby and used the alley to access his driveway. He was opposed to the rezoning request, stating that
the applicant had caused problems for the neighbors in the way they used the alley.
Planning Commission Minutes – 12/11/14 1
A motion to close the public hearing was made by B. Mazade, supported by S. Wisneski and
unanimously approved.
B. Larson asked who set the grades for lot paving. M. Franzak stated that, per City ordinance, all
water must be retained on site. C. Peterson stated that they did retain their water on-site. B. Mazade
stated that while he understood the concerns about the alley, it was a public right-of-way. He hoped
that the new parking lot would resolve much of the issues mentioned. He asked if a site plan review
would be required. M. Franzak stated that it would, and it would require that stormwater be addressed.
A motion that the request to rezone the property located at 916 West Laketon Avenue from R-1, Single
Family Residential to B-4, General Business, as described in the public notice, be recommended for
approval to the City Commission, was made by J. Doyle, supported by B. Mazade and unanimously
approved.
B. Mazade informed Mr. Brush that the City Commission would also have to approve the request.
NEW BUSINESS
None.
OLD BUSINESS
OTHER
None.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:22 p.m.
Planning Commission Minutes – 12/11/14 2
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