City of Tecumseh Planning Commission Regular Meeting August 8, 2017 City Hall 309 E. Chicago Blvd. 7:00 PM MEETING CALLED TO ORDER by Vice-Chairperson Malmquist at 7:00 pm. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE led by Vice-Chairperson Malmquist. ROLL CALL: Present: David Malmquist Paul Bidwell Barb Hammond Jim Hammond Rick Ruhl Tom Weitzel Vicky Lantzy Vice-Chairperson It was moved by Weitzel and supported by Ruhl to excuse Chairperson Fox. Motion carried unanimously. A quorum was established. APPROVAL OF MEETING AGENDA It was moved by Lantzy and supported by Ruhl to approve the August 8, 2017 agenda as presented. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES It was moved by Weitzel and supported by J. Hammond that the minutes from the regular meeting held July 11, 2017 be approved with the correction to add Tony Menyhart to others present. OTHERS PRESENT Brad Raymond (Building Services Director), Jack Baker (Mayor), Dan Swallow (City Manager), Shelby Simpson (Administrative Services Manager), Paul Lippens (City Planner, McKenna & Associates), Tony Menyhart (resident), Hayden Miller and Kassandra Flint (residents), Kimberly DePew. PUBLIC COMMENT RE: ITEMS ON THE AGENDA None. Approval of proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding Short-Term Rentals and recommendation to City Council. Lippens, on behalf of McKenna & Associates, reviewed draft regulations for short-term rentals and discussed the proposed amendments to the City s zoning ordinance. PC. 8.8.17 Page 1
Lippens stated that a special land use would only be required for short-term rentals in excess of 30 days per calendar year. For short-term rentals less than 30 days per calendar year, a zoning compliance would be required. Lippens also added that short-term rentals would not be restrictive to historic homes as it pertains to bed & breakfasts. Raymond made the clarification that short-term rentals would be permitted in all residential districts, including non-conforming residential uses in all districts. (Public hearing opened 7:08 pm) Tony Menyhart, 306 W. Logan St., voiced concerns over the special land use requirement for short-term rentals in excess of 30 days, stating that creating a restrictive ordinance because there may be a problem down the road doesn t seem welcoming and the $500.00 fee would deter property owners from pursuing it. Raymond explained that with special land use approval, the approval is valid for as long as the land is in use for a one-time fee of $500.00. Lippens added that with a short-term rental over 30 days per calendar year, the residence becomes more like a hospitality business and the fee paid by the property owner cover the City s costs for reviewing the business and making sure standards are met. (Public hearing closed 7:25 pm) s discussed concerns and concluded that should the need arise in the future, modifications could be made at that time. MOTION to Recommend A motion was made to recommend approval to City Council the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding Short-Term Rentals with the correction made to Section 98-261 (b) to add more than thirty (30) days. The motion was moved by J. Hammond and seconded by Weitzel. Yes: Bidwell, B. Hammond, J. Hammond, Malmquist, Ruhl, Weitzel No: Lantzy Approval of proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding Group Retreats and recommendation to City Council. Lippens gave a brief overview of the modifications to be made to the Zoning ordinance and the approach to add standards to the Bed & Breakfasts section of the ordinance. Raymond stated that he modified provisions to allow for alternate means of egress, as well as requesting that Planning Commission consider modifying the length of time the property owner must be PC. 8.8.17 Page 2
present on the premises during each day. Raymond suggested shortening the required 8 hours per day for property owner and operator to be on the premises when group retreat is in operation. (Public hearing opened 7:40 pm) Hayden Miller, 420 N. Evans St., commented that he did not feel it was necessary for the property owner to check in with guests on a daily basis, but stated he was on board with all the other requirements. Kassandra Flint, 420 N. Evans St., expressed that she felt checking in with the guests initially to get them set up would be sufficient. Kimberly DePew stated that she felt availability via text should be sufficient, as well as being present for the initial check-in of guests. She communicated she had issues with the 8-hour requirement, and even a 1-hour requirement to be present on the premises. Dan Swallow, City Manager, stated that he has received input that the 8-hour requirement is excessive. (Public hearing closed 7:45 pm) Motion to Table A motion was made to table the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding Group Retreats. The motion was moved by Bidwell and seconded by Ruhl. Yes: None No: Bidwell, B. Hammond, J. Hammond, Lantzy, Malmquist, Ruhl, Weitzel MOTION to Amend A motion was made to amend Section 98-223 (b) of the Zoning Ordinance to strike the requirement for the property owner and operator to be present on the premises for at least eight (8) hours per day when group retreat is in operation. The motion was moved by J. Hammond and seconded by Bidwell. MOTION to Recommend A motion was made to recommend approval to City Council the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding Group Retreats with the amendment to strike the requirement for the property owner and operator to be present on the premises for at least eight (8) hours per day when group retreat is in operation. The motion was moved by J. Hammond and seconded by Bidwell. PC. 8.8.17 Page 3
Approval of Sign Ordinance changes and recommendation to City Council. Lippens stated that McKenna & Associates reviewed the Tecumseh Sign Ordinance in order to address some concerns over some provisions and regulations and made some additional corrections to the sign ordinance. (Public hearing opened 8:10 pm) (Public hearing closed 8:10 pm) Motion to Recommend A motion was made to approve the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance pertaining to Signs, and recommend approval to City Council. The motion was moved by Bidwell and seconded by Ruhl. DISCUSSION OF NOTICE OF INTENT TO PREPARE A MASTER PLAN FOR THE VILLAGE OF CLINTON Raymond discussed the notice of intent to prepare a master plan for the Village of Clinton, a notice that is required by law as part of Public Act 33 to be sent to adjacent communities when there is an intent to plan. The Village of Clinton is preparing a master plan to provide for high density to accommodate a future 251-home residential development on the east end of the village. PUBLIC COMMENT: ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA None REPORTS Chairperson None Director Raymond announced that Planning Commission would hold a special meeting on August 29, 2017 at 7:00 pm to review a special land use application for a crafters retreat. Raymond introduced the Planning Commission resignation letter from Rick Hilderley, as he has moved out of the area. Raymond discussed the Planning Commission application submitted by Brian Radant to replace Hilderley. He stated that Radant has a strong interest in the community, has the ability to read blueprints, and is an electrical contractor. Radant acts an alternate for the Zoning Board of Appeals and Raymond feels he would be an excellent addition to the Planning Commission. Raymond requested Planning Commission approve the application of Brian Radant and recommend for City Council approval. PC. 8.8.17 Page 4
Motion to Recommend A motion was made to approve the Planning Commission application of Brian Radant and recommend for City Council approval. The motion was moved by J. Hammond and seconded by Bidwell. Communications None MOTION to Adjourn A motion to adjourn the August 8, 2017 meeting was moved by Ruhl and seconded by Weitzel. Meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m. Recorded by Shelby Simpson PC. 8.8.17 Page 5