By Bruce Rolfe
The Climax Village Council approved the first two steps recommended by the Council attorney to establish a planning commission at its regular meeting April 15.
Village Council President Bill Lewis said the attorney informed him the Michigan Planning Enabling Act requires the Village to establish a Planning Commission by ordinance.
Lewis believes the Village is the only municipality in Kalamazoo County without a Planning Commission.
The two steps approved April 15 begin a five-step process the attorney requested the council to consider to complete the process.
After discussion and reviewing information offered by the village attorney, the Council determined the number of members that will be on the planning commission will be five, The Council also determined the Village Council will make final decisions on the Master Plan, Special Land Use Permits (SLUP) and Site Plan Review (SPR) matters instead of the Planning Commission.
The village attorney said a city, village or township board can have five, seven or nine members on the Planning Commission.
One of the remaining steps to consider will determine whether to allow any appointment to the Planning Commission be a person who is not a qualified elector of the village. The attorney noted he could draft the Planning Commission to allow for, but not require, one or two non-electors. This would allow a non-resident of the Village to be considered for appointment.
The attorney also would like the Council to determine if one member of the Village Council will also serve on the Planning Commission. That person would be appointed by the president. The ordinance would first have to be adopted before an appointment could be made.
The Planning Commission will have to meet at least four times a year.
North Church Street from Cherry to Maple Street Will Be Blocked Off Morning of Memorial Day Parade
After a short discussion, the Council unanimously approved to block North Church Street from Cherry Street to Maple Street from 6 a.m. until the start of the Memorial Day Parade, May 26.
A small portion of North Church Street is already closed for the early morning Run To Climax, creating traffic congestion issues until the run/walk ends near the north intersection of North Church Street and Maple Street.
The Council felt closing down the additional section of North Church Street to Cherry Street would also be a good safety maneuver.
Village Council President Bill Lewis said the small section of North Church Street has to be open for the parade route.
The parade route also goes down North Church Street onto South Church Street.
Weather Warning Siren Now Functions
Public Safety/Fire/Law Enforcement/Disaster Planning Chairman Nick Ludwig said the weather warning siren has been installed and hooked up to power. Final inspection has been completed and the siren is now active.
County Central Dispatch will perform a weather warning siren test the first Saturday of each month.
There is a one year warranty on the weather warning siren. The Council will have an opportunity to purchase an annual maintenance plan. Ludwig will request the costs for an annual maintenance plan and parts for the council to review at a future meeting.
Cemetery/Parks Chairman Ben Moore provided some ideas to improve the Village Park. He said moving some items to different areas in the park will be considered.
It was noted a gate near the water tower was damaged and will need to be replaced.
Ordinance/Zoning/Planning & Development Chairperson Carolyn Kelly said five different ordinance issues were reviewed, most being blight. She said three have been corrected.
The other two the first letter has been sent out.
A meeting with a Safebuilt representative was held. Kelly said previous ordinance violations that have not been completed were reviewed.
She would like to have a meeting with a Safebuilt representative quarterly.
Four permit applications were received in March, including one for the weather siren installation process, totaling $558.
The Climax Village Council approved the first two steps recommended by the Council attorney to establish a planning commission at its regular meeting April 15.
Village Council President Bill Lewis said the attorney informed him the Michigan Planning Enabling Act requires the Village to establish a Planning Commission by ordinance.
Lewis believes the Village is the only municipality in Kalamazoo County without a Planning Commission.
The two steps approved April 15 begin a five-step process the attorney requested the council to consider to complete the process.
After discussion and reviewing information offered by the village attorney, the Council determined the number of members that will be on the planning commission will be five, The Council also determined the Village Council will make final decisions on the Master Plan, Special Land Use Permits (SLUP) and Site Plan Review (SPR) matters instead of the Planning Commission.
The village attorney said a city, village or township board can have five, seven or nine members on the Planning Commission.
One of the remaining steps to consider will determine whether to allow any appointment to the Planning Commission be a person who is not a qualified elector of the village. The attorney noted he could draft the Planning Commission to allow for, but not require, one or two non-electors. This would allow a non-resident of the Village to be considered for appointment.
The attorney also would like the Council to determine if one member of the Village Council will also serve on the Planning Commission. That person would be appointed by the president. The ordinance would first have to be adopted before an appointment could be made.
The Planning Commission will have to meet at least four times a year.
North Church Street from Cherry to Maple Street Will Be Blocked Off Morning of Memorial Day Parade
After a short discussion, the Council unanimously approved to block North Church Street from Cherry Street to Maple Street from 6 a.m. until the start of the Memorial Day Parade, May 26.
A small portion of North Church Street is already closed for the early morning Run To Climax, creating traffic congestion issues until the run/walk ends near the north intersection of North Church Street and Maple Street.
The Council felt closing down the additional section of North Church Street to Cherry Street would also be a good safety maneuver.
Village Council President Bill Lewis said the small section of North Church Street has to be open for the parade route.
The parade route also goes down North Church Street onto South Church Street.
Weather Warning Siren Now Functions
Public Safety/Fire/Law Enforcement/Disaster Planning Chairman Nick Ludwig said the weather warning siren has been installed and hooked up to power. Final inspection has been completed and the siren is now active.
County Central Dispatch will perform a weather warning siren test the first Saturday of each month.
There is a one year warranty on the weather warning siren. The Council will have an opportunity to purchase an annual maintenance plan. Ludwig will request the costs for an annual maintenance plan and parts for the council to review at a future meeting.
Cemetery/Parks Chairman Ben Moore provided some ideas to improve the Village Park. He said moving some items to different areas in the park will be considered.
It was noted a gate near the water tower was damaged and will need to be replaced.
Ordinance/Zoning/Planning & Development Chairperson Carolyn Kelly said five different ordinance issues were reviewed, most being blight. She said three have been corrected.
The other two the first letter has been sent out.
A meeting with a Safebuilt representative was held. Kelly said previous ordinance violations that have not been completed were reviewed.
She would like to have a meeting with a Safebuilt representative quarterly.
Four permit applications were received in March, including one for the weather siren installation process, totaling $558.
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