Minutes and Agendas

MMRB Minutes

MEETING
CITY OF WALKER
MINERAL MINING REVIEW BOARD
January 21, 2003

The meeting of the Mineral Mining Review Board was called to order by Steve Versluis, Chairman at 3:00pm in the Commissioner's Chambers, 4243 Remembrance Rd., NW, Walker, Michigan.

Members present: Steve Versluis, Chairman; Scott Conners; Darrel Schmalzel; and Mark Koning. Member absent: Gary Voogt. Also present: Dick Denney, Deputy Building Official; and Bonnie Antcliff, Recording Secretary.

DECISION AND ORDER

Legal Description

Property located at 2471 Butterworth, 41-13-33-400-003, and 2468 O'Brien,

41-13-33-200-003.

Applicant & Meekhof's Lakeside Dock, Inc.

Mining Cont: 16861 120th Ave.

Nunica, Mi.49448

Owner: Meekhof Properties LLC

16861 120th Ave.

Nunica, Mi. 49448

Meekhof's Lakeside Dock has requested approval for a Mineral Mining license.

Finding of Facts

Doug Meekhof appeared on behalf of Meekhof's Lakeside Dock.

Dick Denney stated that he was at the site recently and the gates were locked, the fencing was up, signs were up, and the address was posted. We still need the updated letter of credit for this year. The conditions imposed last year were:

1. The setback along the north side of the site be adjusted and a new plan be submitted by March 1, 2002 and that has been done.

2. The setback along Butterworth be adjusted with a 60 ft. setback eliminated and turned into a 30ft. do not disturb buffer and it be done by March 1, 2002. This was done.

3. The reclamation contours be adjusted to match into Phases 1 & 2 where they have been erased from this year's application. Completed prior to March 1, 2002 and this was done.

4. A sign to be placed at the entrance to the pit with the address on it to make it easier to find the site. This has also been done.

Doug Meekhof pointed out the site on the map with explanations. This is the West Pit and the big thing here is that we are working toward the north and have come up with a plan with Shoemakers. He stated that we want Shoemakers to take out the corner. He then showed the areas that have been restored on the site plan. He went on to say we are working our way east in Phase 3 & 4. We are restoring as we go and there are not a lot of changes made this year.

Dick Denney stated there have not been any complaints from the neighbors this past year.

Scott Conners stated that the general notes on the plan describe a 10 ft. undisturbed setback along the north property line and also along the firing range and those have been changed to 30 ft. according to the new ordinance. The ordinance has changed the property lines and the north side of Phases 2 & 4 for example has been changed to 30 ft. setbacks but in the general notes it talks about 10 ft. on the north property line. Item 2 refers to a 10 ft. undisturbed setback buffer along the north property boundry that is to be preserved as shown on this plan. The plan shows 30 ft. so Scott felt this correction should be made. He would also like us to have a copy of the agreement between Meekhofs and Shoemaker to take the material out of the northwest corner.

Motion

Darrell Schmalzel moved and Mark Koning supported the motion to open the public hearing.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

Mrs. Oliver 2458 & 2472 O"Brien stated that she had some concerns and the first is the noise. She went on to say that the loud speaker broadcasting system to the trucks is so loud that the neighbors can hear every word said. Mr. Meekhof replied that they have no girl talking to the truck operators and he felt this was probably Dykema's operation.

She was also concerned about the hours of operation because they are going to be operating directly behind her house. She wanted to know what she could do if the hours

of operation are not adherred to. Mr. Meekhof replied that he would give her his telephone number and she could call him directly.

Mrs. Oliver asked how far back from her property is the setback? Mr. Meekhof replied 30 ft. She then pointed out on the site plan where her property is.

Steve Versluis told Mrs. Oliver that she could also feel free to call the City if any problems arise.

Darrell Schmalzel stated that the setbacks from been increased from residential properties from 10 ft. to 30 ft. because of the issues of steep slopes.

Motion

Scott Conners moved and Darrell Schmalzel supported the motion to close the public hearing.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

Darrell Schmalzel asked if the addresses and parcel numbers for these properties have been adjusted?

He was told they have been adjusted and the Meekhof's have been given a copy so they can adjust their records accordingly.

Dick Denney stated that the letter from Mark Rambo stated that it would be good if the Building Department had a key to the gate of the pit so that if we need to do an inspection we would have access to the site.

Motion

Scott Conners moved and Mark Koning supported the motion to approve the Mineral Mining License for 2471 Butterworth & 2468 O"Brien.

The Board imposed the following conditions:

1. The general notes on the plan 2 & 3 be adjusted to reflect the proper setbacks.

2. The Building Department be given a copy of the agreement between Meekhofs and Shoemakers for the northwest section of the property.

3. The applicant present a key to the Building Dept. to enable them to do inspections on the site.

4. An updated letter of credit.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

DECISION AND ORDER

Legal Description

Property located at 2351 Butterworth, 41-13-34-300-013, 2325 Butterworth

41-13-34-300-016, 2204 O'Brien, 41-13-34-100-018.

Applicant & Meekhof Lakeside Dock

Mining Cont: 16861 120th Ave.

Nunica, Mi. 49448

Owner: Meekhof Properties

16861 120th Ave.

Nunica, Mi. 49448

Meekhof Properties LLC has requested approval for a Mineral Mining license.

Finding of Facts

Doug Meekhof appeared on behalf of Meekhof's Lakeside Dock.

Dick Denney stated that he had visited the site. The fences are up, the sign is up with the address and the gates were locked. There were three conditions from last year and they are:

1. A sign be placed at the entrance of the pit with the address on it to make it easier to find the site.

2. A new plan be submitted to the Building department by March 1, 2002 with 30 ft. buffers on the property lines at the NW part of the site as was required last year. This was done.

3. The soil erosion letter of authorization be signed before leaving this meeting. This was also done.

Dick Denney went on to say that when he was at the site it did not appear that there was much going on right now.

Doug Meekhof pointed the site plan out and went on to say that there has not been much change on this site since last year. Mr. Meekhof stated that the quality of the sand here has been pretty good except for the center pit. That was marblized and roads are built of this so there is a market for it. The better sand is in the west pit. We are continuing Phase 1 and restoring as we go.

Darrell Schmalzel stated that every year these plans seem to get better and things get easier and he felt perhaps some of these permits could be granted for a two year time frame so we are not here every year when there is not much activity going on.

Steve Versluis stated that he would bring this up at the City Commission meeting and the City attorney could also look into this to see if it is legal.

Scott Conners asked if it would be possible to grant this permit conditionally for two years until there was enough opportunity to check with the City Commission to see if it could be done?

Steve Versluis did not think this would be a problem. This should be done on an individual basis. He went on to say that he would take this to the City Commission and the Ordinance committee.

Motion

Scott Conners moved and Darrel Schmalzel supported the motion to open the public hearing.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

No citizen appeared with respect to this hearing.

Motion

Darrel Schmalzel moved and Mark Koning supported the motion to close the public hearing.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

Darrel Schmalzel moved and Scott Conners supported the motion to approve the Mineral Mining license for 2351 Butterworth, 2325 Butterworth, and 2204 O'Brien.

The Board imposed the following conditions:

1. Address on sign be changed.

2. Letter of credit be renewed.

3. Permit be for a 2 year time period unless we are told otherwise.

4. Key to site be provided to the Building Department.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

Motion

Scott Conners moved and Darrel Schmalzel supported the motion to nominate Steve Versluis as Chairman of the Mineral Mining Review Board for 2003.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

Motion

Darrel Schmalzel moved and Mark Koning supported the motion to approve the Mineral Mining Review Board minutes of June 25, 2002.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

Motion

Mark Koning moved and Scott Conners supported the motion to adjourn the Mineral Mining meeting at 3:55pm.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

The City of Walker, Michigan
4243 Remembrance Rd. NW
Walker, MI 49534
(616)453-6311
City Hall hours: Mon-Thursday from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Closed Fridays
All information © 2012 City of Walker

Contact Us!
If you would like to leave general comments about the website, click here.
Click here to report technical problems with the website.