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CITY OF MUSKEGON
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
December 14, 2017
Vice Chairman B. Larson called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Michalski, F. Peterson, B. Larson, B. Mazade, J. Doyle, S. Gawron,
J. Montgomery-Keast
MEMBERS ABSENT: E. Hood; M. Hovey-Wright, excused
STAFF PRESENT: M. Franzak, D. Renkenberger
OTHERS PRESENT: R. Blasey, Bergmann Associates (Lansing); C. Grinwis, Hooker
DeJong Engineers; R. Holmes, 297 W Clay #410; K. Kolberg, 3414
Whiskey Hollow; L. Taunt, 2561 Maplewood Dr, Grand Rapids; C.
Kufta, 3445 Keaton Ct., N. Hulka, 3020 Country Club Dr.; E.
Kaminski, Shoreline Towers, Empire MI; J. Vorgias, 1438 Beach St.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of November 16, 2017 was
made by F. Peterson, supported by J. Montgomery-Keast and unanimously approved.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Hearing, Case 2017-31: Request to amend the final Planned Unit Development at 1740 E Sherman
Blvd to allow construction of a new out-building and to increase the size of the existing pole sign, by
Pacifica Companies. M. Franzak presented the staff report. The property at 1740 E Sherman Blvd is
owned by Pacifica Muskegon, LLC. It measures just under seven acres and is part of a Planned Unit
Development (PUD) that also includes about 10.5 acres of retail development owned by RCG-
Muskegon, LLC. CRC Muskegon, LLC also owns about 0.7 acres of property, which is the Fazoli’s
restaurant. These three property owners are all under the same PUD. Pacifica Muskegon, LLC is
proposing to construct a new out-building on its property, which would be located just east of the
existing Fazoli’s building. The new building will be set up for two separate tenants. The tenant
closest to Sherman Blvd would have 2,595 sq ft of space and the back tenant would have 2,995 sq ft
of space. The parking lot would be reconfigured for a drive thru window for the new building and
four new landscaping islands would be added. Parking spaces would be restriped, with 32 spaces for
the new building. A landscaping plan was recently submitted, and is acceptable.
The applicant also has two sign requests as part of this development. First, they would like to add a
10- x 10-foot monument sign in front of the new out-building, to be shared by the two new
businesses. There are currently three existing out-buildings (Panera Bread, Fazoli’s, and a closed
Chinese buffet) and none of them have a separate monument sign; the new out-building would be the
only one with a monument sign in this development. Second, they would like to increase the size of
the large existing freestanding sign facing Sherman Blvd. There are currently two free-standing pole
signs on site, one facing Sherman Blvd and one facing the highway. The zoning ordinance allows
both signs and the addition of more, since there are several parcels and multiple business in this
development. However, both signs are larger than what is normally allowed by the ordinance, as an
exception had been made as part of the original PUD process. They are now requesting to increase
the size of the Sherman Blvd sign from 33 feet tall and 326 square feet total to 35.5 feet tall and 356
square feet total. The purposed of the larger signs is to accommodate the three new retail suites
going in the former Target building. A site plan and sign renderings were provided. Notice was sent
to all property owners/tenants within 300 feet of this property. At the time of this writing, staff had
not received any comments from the public. Staff recommends approval of the PUD amendment, but
would like to establish a plan for additional monument signs for out-buildings. M. Franzak stated
that this request was previously scheduled for the October meeting, but agreements needed to be
worked out between the parties involved in the PUD.
R. Blasey stated that they planned to renovate the former Target store into 3 separate spaces. The
sign requests were mainly for the new businesses, since there was no room to add them on the
currents signs.
A motion to close the public hearing was made by B. Mazade, supported by J. Montgomery-Keast
and unanimously approved.
A motion that the request to amend the PUD at 1740 E Sherman Blvd for the addition of the out-
building and the two sign requests as proposed, be recommended to the City Commission for
approval was made by B. Mazade, supported by J. Montgomery-Keast and unanimously approved,
with T. Michalski, F. Peterson, B. Larson, B. Mazade, J. Doyle, S. Gawron, and J. Montgomery-
Keast voting aye.
Hearing, Case 2017-32: Request for a departure from Section 2009 of the Form Based Code section
of the zoning ordinance to allow a larger projecting sign than permitted at 275 W Clay Ave, by
Berkshire Muskegon. M. Franzak presented the staff report. This property is in the Form Based
Code (FBC) zoning district and is currently under development. There will be 5,000 square feet of
commercial space on the first floor and 84 apartments on the upper floors. The proposed sign is a
“projecting sign” as defined by the FBC ordinance. It meets all of the requirements of the ordinance
except the maximum height of four feet; they are requesting a departure from this requirement. The
proposed sign is 21 feet tall, 2 feet 4 inches wide and will hang four feet off of the building wall. It
will be internally illuminated. An encroachment agreement with the City will be required since the
sign will project over the public sidewalk. Staff recommends approving the departure from this
requirement because of the size of the development. A building this large warrants a unique large-
scale sign in the proper location. First St is the best location for the sign because it is more of a
commercial street than Clay Ave. This request is similar in nature to the exceptions granted to the
Frauenthal and Amazon buildings. Notice was sent to all property owners/tenants within 300 feet of
this property; at the time of this writing, staff had not received any comments and recommends
approval of the request.
C. Grinwis worked for the architectural firm working on this building. He stated that the sign would
be located on First St, closer to Webster Avenue than Clay. There would eventually be a smaller sign
on the Clay Ave end for a café to be added in the future.
T. Michalski arrived at 4:10 p.m. and took over as chairperson.
R. Holmes lived in the area, and was concerned about how much light the sign would give off. T.
Michalski stated that the Planning Commission was also concerned with lighting and they would
have to follow the ordinance.
A motion to close the public hearing was made by B. Larson, supported by J. Doyle and unanimously
approved.
A motion that the request for a departure from Section 2009.13 (a) of the zoning ordinance to allow a
larger projecting sign than permitted at 275 W Clay Ave be approved as proposed, was made by J.
Doyle, supported by J. Montgomery-Keast and unanimously approved, with T. Michalski, F.
Peterson, B. Larson, B. Mazade, J. Doyle, S. Gawron, and J. Montgomery-Keast voting aye.
Hearing, Case 2017-33: Staff-initiated request to amend Section 2321 of the zoning ordinance to
expand the overlay district and allow Wireless Communication Service Facilities at 1800 Peck St
(Marsh Field) and 2375 Beach St (Water Filtration Plant). M. Franzak presented the staff report.
Cell phone towers are regulated by Section 2321 (Wireless Communication Service Facilities) of the
zoning ordinance. An overlay district currently allows these facilities in four different locations in
the City. Staff proposes to expand the overlay district with two new locations, one at Marsh Field
and the other behind the water filtration plant on Beach St, in order to increase cell phone coverage
throughout the City. This request is solely to expand the overlay district and allow companies to
apply for a Special Land Use Permit to construct a new facility. Staff has been working with two
companies that are interested in applying to install monopoles with a maximum height of 150 feet at
these locations; however, this request is to approve the new districts only. Both locations are located
in city charter parks, which cannot be sold. The City would retain ownership of the land and would
lease the space to a private company. Although not required for an ordinance amendment, staff sent
out notice letters to everyone within 300 feet of both proposed locations. At the time of this writing,
staff had not received any comments from the Marsh Field area and one comment from the Water
Filtration area who was generally in favor of the request. Staff recommends approval of the
ordinance amendment.
B. Mazade stated that he was concerned with the type of structures that would be allowed. M.
Franzak stated that both requests were for monopoles, not towers. He provided a picture of the type
of pole being considered. J. Montgomery-Keast asked if it would block the residents’ view. M.
Franzak stated that the pole may be visible, but it was not large enough to block a view. K. Kolberg
lived in the area and was opposed to the request. He stated that the proposed location was right in his
sight line from his front window. L. Taunt owned property in the area and was also opposed to the
request, as the pole would be visible from where he planned to eventually build a house. He stated
that placing it a few hundred feet to the south would not block anyone’s view. C. Kufta lived in the
area and was opposed to having a pole located there, due to the size and obstructing the view. M.
Franzak explained that this request was to allow an overlay district and not for a specific pole
installation. C. Kufta stated that there was a tower at Elks Park that was unsightly and she did not
want a similar look to spoil the natural beauty at Pere Marquette Park. She was also concerned about
electronic air pollution and the possible devaluation of nearby properties. N. Hulka was also opposed
to having a cell tower/pole in that location, as it interfered with the natural environment in the area.
D. Kaminsky worked for Shoreline Towers in Empire MI and was representing the entity interested
in erecting a pole at the water filtration plant. He stated that the beach area was in need of additional
cell coverage. B. Larson stated that he is in the area regularly and stated that the pole would interrupt
the natural beauty of the area. J. Montgomery-Keast asked if they had considered a less obtrusive
location in the vicinity. D. Kaminsky stated that they had considered the water filtration plant
property, as there were already 2 towers there as well as access to them. He and board members
discussed the pole specs and other possible locations nearby that would be less visible. M. Franzak
stated that, if the pole was placed further south of the filtration plant, a new access road would have
to be built in order to access it which would disturb the dune area. D. Kaminsky stated that the base
of the pole would be located among a stand of pine trees, which would help camouflage the base. J.
Vorgias suggested placing the pole in the state park across the channel. B. Larson stated that the city
would not receive any lease revenues. D. Kaminsky stated that that location would not provide
adequate coverage that they needed. N. Hulka stated that she would like more research done on other
suitable locations in the area. T. Michalski stated that the city had to be cognizant of the critical dune
areas. F. Peterson stated that, although the proposed location may affect some people, it would have
the least amount of impact. B. Larson asked if other locations had been checked out. M. Franzak
stated that he had driven around the area and there were few possibilities. B. Mazade agreed that
better cell coverage was needed in that area, but he wanted to make sure they chose the least intrusive
option.
A motion to close the public hearing was made by B. Larson, supported by J. Doyle and unanimously
approved.
B. Larson asked if the two locations could be separated into separate motions. M. Franzak stated that
they could. Board members discussed both locations.
A motion that the request to amend Section 2321 of the zoning ordinance to expand the overlay
district for Wireless Communication Support Facilities be tabled until next month to give staff time to
evaluate other possible locations was made by B. Larson, supported by J. Montgomery-Keast and
unanimously approved, with T. Michalski, F. Peterson, B. Larson, B. Mazade, J. Doyle, S. Gawron,
and J. Montgomery-Keast voting aye. M. Franzak asked what other information the board was
looking for. T. Michalski stated that he would like staff to check out other locations and recommend
the best one for the pole location.
NEW BUSINESS
None
OLD BUSINESS
None
OTHER
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
DR