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CITY OF MUSKEGON
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
February 12, 2009
Chairman T. Michalski called the meeting to order at 4:02 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: B. Turnquist, L. Spataro, T. Michalski, B. Mazade, T. Harryman,
B. Larson
MEMBERS ABSENT: B. Smith, excused; S. Warmington, excused; J. Aslakson, excused
STAFF PRESENT: L. Anguilm, D. Leafers
OTHERS PRESENT: D. McLaughlin, 3099 Pinewood Ln; S. Kelly; C. Jensen, 1873
LeTart
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of January 15, 2009 be approved, was made by
B. Turnquist, supported by B. Mazade and unanimously approved.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Hearing; Case 2009-02: Request for a Special Land Use Permit, per Section 1301 (#1) of
Article XIII (B-4, General Business Districts) of the Zoning Ordinance to allow a used car lot in
a B-4 district at 2272 Henry Street, by David McLaughlin, McLaughlin Motorz, LLC. L.
Anguilm presented the staff report. The subject property is the present location of American
Auto Works. The primary use of the property is for minor auto repair, but a special land use
permit was issued in 1995 for used car sales also. At some point the property changed hands and
the new owner continued both uses on the site. This request is for an additional special land use
permit for a different auto dealer, who is the applicant in this request. Properties in all directions
are zoned B-4, General Business. In 2001, Serge Kelly, the property owner, applied to the
Planning Department for site plan review for a 68 x 60 ft. expansion of the parking area in the
rear of the property. This request was reviewed and approved at the staff level. No additional
paving or other physical changes to the outside of the building are being requested. Some new
striping of the parking area in the front of the building will be made. All other elements of the
site plan have been complied with. The following conditions are required for a special land use
permit for used vehicle sales in a B-4 zoning district, both of which are met on this site: a)
ingress and egress to the outdoor sales area shall be at least sixty (60) feet from the intersection
of any two (2) streets, and b) no major repair or major refinishing shall be done on the lot, such
use of land being only permitted in the I-1 or I-2 Industrial Districts. The DPW, Fire and
Engineering Departments have no issues with this request. Staff has received no comments
regarding this request, and recommends approval with the conditions listed.
B. Turnquist asked if there were any regulations on how many cars could be put on the lot. L.
Anguilm stated that the lot striping would restrict the number of cars. They did have adequate
parking on the site. D. McLaughlin stated that he preferred not to add striping to the lot. They
Planning Commission Minutes – 2/12/08 1
hadn’t done that in the past. L. Anguilm stated that the Planning Commission could make that
decision. B. Turnquist asked whose vehicles were in back of the building. D. McLaughlin stated
that they belonged to the property owner.
A motion to close the public hearing was made by B. Larson, supported by T. Harryman and
unanimously approved.
A motion that the special land use permit, per section 1301 (#1) of Article XIII of the Zoning
Ordinance, to allow a used car lot in a B-4, General Business zoning district at 2272 Henry
Street, by David McLaughlin, McLaughlin Motorz, LLC, be approved, based on compliance
with the City’s Master Land Use Plan and conditions set forth in Section 2332 of the City of
Muskegon Zoning Ordinance, with the conditions that 1) any new signage must comply with the
zoning ordinance and permits are required, 2) the owner shall permit the zoning administrator or
other zoning staff in the premises at reasonable times to review compliance with this permit, 3)
the special land use permit shall become null and void within one year of the public hearing if
the use has not been established or there is a violation of conditions 1 & 2, and 4) the Special
Land Use permit document shall be recorded with the register of deeds prior to occupying the
building, was made by B. Larson and supported by T. Harryman, with discussion continuing on
the motion.
It was clarified that striping of the lot would not be required. B. Turnquist asked about the hours
of operation, and exterior lighting. S. Kelly stated that the outdoor lights were put up in 2001 or
2002 and were approved by the City at that time. They did not plan to add any more lights. D.
McLaughlin stated that they did not intend to have evening hours.
A vote was taken on the above motion, which was unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2009-03: Request for Site Plan Review for the property located at 1221 W. Laketon
Avenue, by Susan Johnson, Every Woman’s Place, Inc. The applicant has requested that this
application be tabled until the April Planning Commission meeting. Their site plan is still in
process.
A motion to table the meeting until the April 2009 Planning Commission meeting as requested
by the applicant, was made by L. Spataro, supported by B. Turnquist and unanimously approved.
OTHER
Chris Jensen/Great Lakes Naval Museum – C. Jensen provided information on proposed events
to be held at the museum. She stated that the health department had given approval for their prep
kitchen, and they planned to finish the required landscaping when the weather improved. C.
Jensen, staff, and board members discussed the proposed events, parking, hours of operation,
financing, and alcohol service at the museum. Board members concurred that any events held
there should be directly connected to the Silversides submarine and the museum, and its mission.
Staff would make the final decision on event approval when the special event application was
processed through City departments.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:42 p.m.
dml
Planning Commission Minutes – 2/12/08 2
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