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CITY OF MUSKEGON
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
August 15, 2019
Chairperson T. Michalski called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Michalski, B. Mazade, E. Hood, J. Doyle, F. Peterson, M.
Hovey-Wright, B. Larson
MEMBERS ABSENT: S. Gawron, J. Montgomery-Keast
STAFF PRESENT: M. Franzak, D. Renkenberger
OTHERS PRESENT: J. Hughes, 3279 E Laketon Ave
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion to approve the Minutes of the regular Planning Commission meeting of June 13, 2019
was made by B. Larson, supported by J. Doyle and unanimously approved.
New Business was heard before Public Hearings, as the applicant was present for the site plan
review.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2019-22: Request for a site plan review for a new boat storage building at 550 Ottawa St.
M. Franzak presented the staff report. The property measures 0.68 acres and is zoned B-4, General
Business. The parcel is currently vacant and the applicant is requesting to build an 11,900 sf boat
storage building. The project is currently under review for a stormwater permit from the Muskegon
County Drain Commissioners office. Any approval by this board should be contingent upon the
issuance of the stormwater permit from the County. Other items to be addressed in a revised site
plan include: Another fire hydrant is required to be located on site. Crushed concrete surfacing
material is not allowed in the City, unless the business uses large equipment that would crack
concrete. Boat storage does not require large equipment of that sort, as all marinas in the City
have concrete or asphalt. The driveway material that is approved must meet a weight limit of at
least 75,000 lbs for fire apparatus. Any outdoor boat storage must be screened with a privacy
fence from the street. The existing curb cuts located in front of the new building must be closed
and re-curbed. The plan only shows that they will be removed and replaced with grass. The
landscaping requirements call for one canopy tree for every 30 linear feet of a new building. At
least five canopy trees should be planted in the right-of-way, in addition to the landscaping shown.
Staff recommends approval of the site plan with the following amendments: 1) A fire hydrant is
located on site; 2) The new driveways are either concrete or asphalt and must meet a 75,000 lb
weight limit; 3) Any outdoor boat storage must be screened with a privacy fence from the street;
4) The existing curb cuts located in front of the new building must be closed and re-curbed; 5)
Five new canopy trees must be planted between the sidewalk and street; and 6) A stormwater
permit must be obtained from the County.
M. Franzak discussed revisions made to the site plan addressing the above-noted concerns since
the staff report was written. He stated that, although the site plan did not show outdoor boat
storage, it should still be noted that, if utilized, any outdoor storage would have to be screened
with a privacy fence. He advised the applicant to consult with the Fire Marshal on the placement
of a fire hydrant, and that the asphalt would need to support a 75,000-lb weight limit. He stated
that conditions 4) and 5) listed in the staff report (above) could now be eliminated, as those had
been taken care of. B. Larson questioned the need for a 75,000 lb weight limit. M. Franzak stated
that it was necessary to support fire truck equipment, as the building would not have a sprinkling
system.
J. Hughes stated that the Sportfisherman Center needed more boat storage. This building would
also block the sight of the salvage area. The building would have minimal traffic to it except for
twice a year when boats were stored and then taken out of storage.
A motion that the site plan for a new boat storage building at 550 Ottawa St be approved with the
following conditions, to be approved by staff: 1) A new fire hydrant must be located on site; 2)
The new driveways are either concrete or asphalt and must meet a 75,000 lb weight limit; 3) Any
outdoor boat storage must be screened with a privacy fence from the street; 4) A stormwater permit
must be obtained from Muskegon County Drain Commissioners Office, and 5) The crushed
concrete must be eliminated from driving and parking surfaces, was made by B. Mazade, supported
by M. Hovey-Wright and unanimously approved, with T. Michalski, B. Mazade, E. Hood, J.
Doyle, F. Peterson, M. Hovey-Wright, and B. Larson voting aye.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Hearing, Case 2019-21: Staff-initiated request to amend section 2310 (critical dunes) of the zoning
ordinance. M. Franzak presented the staff report. The Michigan Department of Environment,
Great Lakes & Energy (EGLE) had requested two final amendments to our local critical dune
ordinance before they will grant us approval. The Site Plan Review requirements were previously
moved to the Application Requirements sections. Those requirements have been moved back to
their original location as a separate number. Also, language was added to the Site Plan Review
section that states “the permit shall be approved unless the use will significantly damage the public
interest on the privately-owned land, or, if the land is publicly owned, the public interest in the
publicly owned land, by significant and unreasonable depletion or degradation of any of the
following: the diversity, quality or functions of the critical dune areas within the local unit of
government.” The revised critical dune ordinance with proposed amendments was provided to
board members. Staff recommends approval of the ordinance amendments.
B. Larson asked if the City would be ones issuing critical dune permits now. M. Franzak stated
that they would, and had been doing so for a few months. The amendment changes were clerical
in nature and would not change enforcement.
There were no public comments. A motion to close the public hearing was made by B. Larson,
supported by J. Doyle and unanimously approved.
A motion that the request to amend section 2310 (Critical Dunes) of the zoning ordinance as
described, be recommended to the City Commission for approval was made by J. Doyle, supported
by B. Larson and unanimously approved, with T. Michalski, B. Mazade, E. Hood, J. Doyle, F.
Peterson, M. Hovey-Wright, and B. Larson voting aye.
OTHER
Review of Chapter 1 of “Suburban Nation” – L. Mikesell provided a review of the first chapter of
this book and answered board members’ questions.
OLD BUSINESS
B. Larson and B. Mazade asked for updates on the Windward Pointe and Docks developments,
which was provided by M. Franzak.
OTHER
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m.
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