Members Present: Chairman J. Hickey, C. Rypma, S. Versluis, D. Brown,
C. Gornowich, and M. Huizenga. Absent: M.A. Ferris-Young. Also
Present:
F. Wash, Planning Director, and P. Dlouhy, Planning Asst.
Chairman Hickey opened the meeting and Member Rypma gave the
invocation.
Approval of Minutes – October 3, 2007
Motion by S. Versluis, supported by C. Rypma, to approve the October
3, 2007 minutes as printed. Motion carried.
General Public Comment
There were no comments at this time.
Case #07-512 – D&K/Rock Interface – Site Plan Review –
tabled 6-6-07
Chairman Hickey read the application for site plan approval for a
3,500 sq. ft. industrial building located at 2708 Kinney, N.W.
Planner Wash reviewed the staff report and related that he had been
working with the applicant on this proposal for quite some time. The
item had been tabled on 6-6-07 and the applicant had worked through the
tabling list (noted in the staff report) and had attempted to work with
Dave Visser regarding joint drainage and landscaping. Planner Wash felt
that it worked better to have Mr. Dunneback keep the drainage and
landscaping on his own property, as it is not good to snug the drainage
close to the basement of the condo opening due to the possibility of
flooding. Planner Wash related that all storm water devices on site will
require a permit.
Planner Wash reviewed the site plan and related that Mr. Dunneback
has reduced the size of the speculative building to a 3,500 sq. ft.
first phase which would be occupied by Rock Interface, a local computer
and IT company. Wash related that the two future buildings are shown to
the south but are not proposed for construction at this time.
Wash indicated that the proposed landscaping matches our ordinance,
with a "Type C" landscaped buffer along the entire south lot line,
consisting of 32 blue spruce trees 20’ on center – (2) rows staggered 8’
tall, and 32 evergreen shrubs.
Also shown on the plan along the Kinney Ave. frontage are the (6)
Autumn blaze Maples and (16) Sea Green Junipers.
Planner Wash related that the plans came in too late for Scott
Conners to review, but Scott did provide a final engineering letter as a
condition of approval.
Wash stated that the applicant should work with the Kent County Drain
Commissioner, Dave Visser, and staff regarding regional detention.
Wash then reviewed the colored building elevations, consisting of
"press-on " stone on the base and horizontal siding, with a metal arch
over the entryway.
Wash felt that from a staff standpoint, the elevations meet the
requirements of the ordinance.
Member Huizenga asked how the landscaping will be done and would it
be postponed until future building stages? Wash stated that the
landscaping would have to be put in according to the plans now. They
might need to move things in the future.
Member Brown asked if access was adequate for the future proposed
buildings in the back? Rick Dunneback stated that the driveway could
wrap around the building on the north side and the east. It is not meant
to be a semi-truck site.
Chairman Hickey asked if the parking was adequate with 10 parking
spots including 1 barrier free? Planner Wash related that it meets the
new parking standards. Rick Dunneback added that Rock Interface deals in
computer components. Member Gornowich asked if the parking is 1 for
every 2 employees how many does the initial tenant have? Dunneback
stated they would only need 3 spaces for 6 employees.
Chairman Hickey and Member Versluis felt that the east wall should be
dressed up with stone added to match the front, and windows facing the
view of the future condo development.
Dave Visser stated that he feels this is a good project. He doesn’t
want windows on the back of that building. He felt that the building is
great, but he prefers not to see blue on the south side of the building.
He wants the trees to buffer it off and no one will see that the
building is there.
Chairman Hickey stated that the applicant can forego the windows in
the back.
Member Gornowich stated that based on the ordinance, we do not have
the authority to dictate color.
Member Huizenga asked if the light outside the overhead door was
downward lit? Planner Wash stated, yes, all exterior lights have to have
cut off fixtures.
Member Rypma asked if truck maneuvering is no longer an issue?
Planner Wash stated yes, it is no longer an issue as the user of the
building has changed. A short box truck could come in and not encroach
on the detention basin. Rypma asked if the proposed future buildings do
not come in, what happens to the landscaping? Planner Wash stated that
the sidewalks and landscaping will go in now. There will be a pad ready
for future additions.
Chairman Hickey asked if the dumpster would be enclosed on 3 sides?
Planner Wash related that it will consist of block on 3 sides with wood
or metal gate on the front. Wash stated that this should be a condition
of approval.
Wash determined that the lighting details are noted on the plans.
Motion by C. Rypma, supported by C. Gornowich, to approve the site
plan dated 11-14-07 and the exterior elevation drawing A-2 dated
9-27-07, for the D&K Rock Interface light industrial speculative
building at 2708 Kinney Ave., N.W., as it does meet the standards set
forth in the City of Walker Zoning Ordinance, with the following
conditions of Site Plan Approval:
The applicant agrees to all conditions noted in the City Planning
Director’s letter dated 11-15-07.
The applicant agrees to all conditions noted in the City
Engineer’s letter dated 10-31-07.
Additional Condition: The dumpster will consist of block material
on 3 sides.
Additional Condition: Add stone on the east wall to match other
elevations.
Five sealed site plans, plus digital copies of the site plans in
Adobe Acrobat format, to the planning department prior to issuance
of a building permit. The plans must include all conditions of
approval attached by the planning commission.
Motion carried unanimously.
Commissioner and Staff Update
Planner Wash reviewed the upcoming agenda items for the December 5th
meeting including: Pattok rezone on Pannell Road, and Mineral Mining
Text Amendment. Both are public hearings.
Wash related that staff met with Cabela’s today. The state funding
has apparently come through. They are ready to proceed.
Wash discussed the recent Zoning Board of Appeals signage item with
Avastar (former Lear Plant) on Alpine Ave. Wash felt that they have a
comprehensively designed signage plan consisting of 16 signs, branded
with color and design for 800,000 sq. ft. of buildings for Haviland,
Grand Rapids Spring & Wire, and Amstore.
Wash discussed the sign ordinance, which was sent back by the ZBA.
The issue is do we want to allow digital LED and tri-vision billboards
or not. More to follow.
Wash related the he met with Mr. Chamberlain and Mr. Langlois, and
that they are continuing to work on the English Hills Golf Course site
and the need for them to work with Cabelas/Orchard Park.
Wash reviewed the pre-RFP’s for the north side of the M-45 site with
applicants being Jim Reminga and Cornerstone Architects. Wash stated
that both are mixed use developments, and there will be a need to
negotiate the price of the property for financing ability. Wash related
that they have until the 28th for submittal of proposals,
then public interviews with the City Commission, Planning Commission and
DDA, then to the City Commission for a final decision.
Adjournment
Motion by C. Gornowich, supported by D. Brown, to adjourn at 7:55
p.m. Motion carried.
____________________________ _____________________________
Administrative Approval Carol Gornowich, Secretary
Walker Planning Commission
The City
of Walker, Michigan