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CITY OF MUSKEGON
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
January 11, 2007
Vice-Chairman T. Michalski called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: B. Turnquist, B. Mazade, L. Spataro, B. Larson, S. Warmington,
T. Michalski, B. Smith
MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Aslakson, excused; T. Harryman
STAFF PRESENT: L. Anguilm, D. Leafers
T. Vande Zande, Architectural Group Inc; C. Harris, 1381 6th St;
OTHERS PRESENT:
other MHS students
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of December 14, 2006 be approved was made by
S. Warmington, supported by B. Larson and unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS/PUBLIC HEARINGS
Hearing; Case 2007-01: Staff-initiated request to amend Section 2504 (Hearings Notices, and
Adjournments, #1) of Article XXV (Zoning Board of Appeals) to meet the requirements of the
Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, Act 110 of 2006, regarding Zoning Board of Appeals newspaper
public notice. L. Anguilm presented the staff report. When this same section came to Planning
Commission for amendment in October 2006, staff overlooked some language that should have
been deleted. All notices must be served at least 15 days prior to the day of the hearing. The old
requirement was 10 days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays). The new Zoning Enabling
Act clarified this time frame by just requiring a simple 15-day notice requirement. That means we
may delete the language referring to those additional days. New language (deletions are crossed out
and additions are in bold): “When an application or appeal has been filed in proper form and with
the required date, the Zoning Administrator shall immediately place said application or appeal upon
the calendar for hearing and cause notices, stating the time, place, and purposes of the hearing being
served. Such notices shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation and served personally
or by mail at least fifteen (15) days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays) prior to the day of
such hearing, upon the applicant or appellant, the Building Inspector, the owners of property and the
occupants of single and two-family dwellings within three hundred (300) feet of the property in
question. If the tenant's name is not known, the notice may be addressed to the occupant. Any
party may appear at such hearings in person or be represented by agents, attorneys, or both.”
A motion to close the public hearing was made by B. Smith, supported by B. Larson and
unanimously approved.
Planning Commission Minutes – 1/11/07 1
A motion that the amendment to Section 2504, #1, of Article XXV, (Zoning Board of Appeals), of
the City of Muskegon Zoning Ordinance, be recommended to the City Commission for approval,
was made by B. Larson, supported by L. Spataro and unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2007-02: Request for Site Plan Review for a new medical building to house Muskegon
Surgery Center, and Mercy Rehabilitation & Orthopedic Associates of Muskegon at 1400 Mercy
Drive, by Evert Timothy Vande Zande, the Architectural Group, Inc. L. Anguilm presented the
staff report. The property is currently being purchased from Mercy Hospital by Mercy SC
Holdings, LLC/Orthopedic Associates of Muskegon. The property is currently used as an employee
parking lot for Mercy Hospital. A new employee parking lot was recently constructed across Mercy
Drive from this property and will be used as the new employee parking lot for Mercy. The zoning
for the property is MC, Medical Care, and it is considered part of the Mercy Hospital campus at this
time. All surrounding properties are zoned MC as well. Construction plans include a 72,000 square
foot building with two levels. The main floor will consist of 42,478 square feet and will house
Orthopedic Associates of Muskegon and an ambulatory surgical center. The lower level will
contain 29,522 square feet and will house Mercy Rehabilitation, as well as a future tenant. The site
plan and landscaping plans are quite complete with only a few issues that need to be addressed and
details added to the site plan: a) label the location of snow storage areas or indicate if snow will be
removed from the site, b) pole height for lighting in the parking lot needs to be added, c) indicate
the height of the dumpster screening, d) indicate location of fire lanes and fire lock box, e) indicate
the zoning of abutting properties, and f) no proposed signs are shown on the plan. Sign permits
need to be obtained from the Inspections Department before any signs are installed. Parking
appears to be adequate for the proposed uses in the building. There are 227 spaces required and 288
spaces are provided. That number is still within the maximum (295 spaces) allowed by the Zoning
Ordinance. The landscaping plan meets the standards of the Zoning Ordinance. The Department of
Public Works has approved the site plan. The Engineering Department had no comments regarding
the site plan. The Fire Department has the following conditions: a) Fire Department connection
location and placement shall be approved by the Muskegon Fire Department fire prevention bureau,
b) fire lanes shall be established and maintained at all times and fire lane signage shall be posted on
premises, and c) Fire Department key box shall be installed as required by local fire code. Staff has
received no other comments regarding this request, and recommends approval of the site plan for a
new medical building at 1400 Mercy Drive, subject to the conditions listed in the staff report.
B. Larson asked about the proposed lighting on the site. L. Anguilm stated that it was all 100%
cutoff, and they just needed to note the height of the poles. B. Larson asked if there had been any
dialogue between Hackley and Mercy Hospitals, so as not to duplicate services. He was concerned
about competition between hospitals. T. Vande Zande stated that while Mercy Hospital was a
partner in this venture, it was actually a doctor-driven group.
A motion that the site plan for a new medical building to house Muskegon Surgery Center, and
Mercy Rehabilitation & Orthopedic Associates of Muskegon at 1400 Mercy Drive be approved,
based on the conditions that 1) all requirements addressed in item #6 of the staff report shall be
provided as needed on a revised site plan prior to issuance of a building permit, and 2) all conditions
of the Fire Department listed in item #11 of the staff report are met, was made by L. Spataro,
supported by B. Larson and unanimously approved. S. Warmington thanked the applicant for
choosing to locate in the City of Muskegon.
Planning Commission Minutes – 1/11/07 2
B. Mazade arrived at 4:15 p.m.
C. Harris asked what the cost or budget was for this project. B. Mazade thought that it was around
3.5 million dollars. C. Harris asked what some of the benefits of this project would be. L. Spataro
explained the project, and stated that it would benefit the community by having a new state-of-the-
art medical facility available. It would also benefit the City of Muskegon, since it was located
within the City limits.
OTHER
L. Spataro stated that the Community Relations Committee was in the process of making
appointments to the various City Boards and Committees. The new Michigan Zoning Enabling Act
of 2006 now requires that a member of the Planning Commission also serve on the Zoning Board of
Appeals. B. Larson volunteered to serve on the ZBA as well as the Planning Commission.
A motion to nominate B. Larson as the Planning Commission representative on the Zoning Board of
Appeals was made by S. Warmington, supported by B. Mazade and unanimously approved.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:20 p.m.
dml
01/11/07
Planning Commission Minutes – 1/11/07 3
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