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CITY OF MUSKEGON
PLANNING COMMISSION
REGULAR MEETING
MINUTES
November 10, 2016
Chairman T. Michalski called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: T. Michalski, B. Mazade, J. Montgomery-Keast, F. Peterson, S.
Gawron, B. Larson
MEMBERS ABSENT: J. Doyle, excused; E. Hood
STAFF PRESENT: M. Franzak, D. Renkenberger
OTHERS PRESENT: L. Wood, 1384 Lakeshore Dr; G. Corona, 1272 S Getty St.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion that the minutes of the regular meeting of October 13, 2016 be approved was made by B.
Larson, supported by F. Peterson and unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
Hearing, Case 2016-16: Request for a Special Land Use Permit to expand a nonconforming use no
more than 25% at 609 W Muskegon Ave, by adding a detached garage. M. Franzak presented the staff
report. The property is zoned R-1, Single Family Residential. The lot measures 33’ x 135’ and is
considered an unbuildable lot. Since there is already a house on the property, it is considered a non-
conforming use. A non-conforming use may be increased up to 25% with a special land use permit
from the Planning Commission. Since the house on the property is 2,540 square feet, the maximum
addition they can request is 635 square feet; the proposed detached garage is only 480 square feet.
Notice letters were sent to properties within 300 feet of this property, with no responses received.
Board members reviewed photos of the site and a drawing of the proposed garage. L. Wood described
the garage, stating that it would be 20’ x 24’, which met the requirements for expanding a non-
conforming use.
A motion to close the public hearing was made by B. Larson, supported by F. Peterson and
unanimously approved.
A motion that the Special Land Use Permit to expand the non-conforming use at 609 W. Muskegon
Avenue no more than 25% be approved as proposed was made by F. Peterson, supported by B. Larson
and unanimously approved, with T. Michalski, B. Mazade, J. Montgomery-Keast, F. Peterson, S.
Gawron, and B. Larson voting aye.
Case 2016-17: Staff-initiated request to revoke the special land use permit for an auto dealership at
1272/1308 S Getty Street. M. Franzak presented the staff report. The owner of this property was
issued a Special Use Permit (SUP) to operate an auto sales dealership in June of 2007. The SUP was
revoked on August 5, 2008 after repeated violations including outdoor vehicle repairs and storage of
junk cars, old tires and car parts. After cleaning up the property, the owner applied for another SUP
for auto sales in February of 2013. The request was approved on the condition that there be no outdoor
storage of junk cars, car parts or tires. The site has now become filled with storage of junk cars, parts
and tires again. Staff sent an infraction notice letter on August 23, stating that the City would be
requesting to revoke the SUP if the property was not in compliance in time for the November Planning
Commission meeting. This was also the deadline to remove the outdoor storage items in order to avoid
a civil infraction. The owner contacted staff and stated that he now lived in Florida and was renting
the building to a mechanic. He does not wish to retain the SUP. He is working with his tenant to clean
up the property to avoid the issuance of a ticket.
M. Franzak stated that he had spoken with G. Corona, the person currently leasing this location, who
stated that he had not been aware of the City’s zoning regulations. T. Michalski asked if Mr. Corona
had a business license. M. Franzak stated that he would look into it. G. Corona stated that he ran a
licensed tire shop and did mechanical work on the side for friends and family members only, as he did
not have a mechanics license. J. Montgomery-Keast asked how many junk cars were on the lot, and
how they had ended up there. G. Corona stated that some of the vehicles had been abandoned there
and he needed to contact the police department about having them removed. He stated that they had
cleaned up the property since receiving the letter from the City. M. Franzak asked G. Corona if he was
licensed as an auto dealer through the State of Michigan. G. Corona stated that he was not at this time,
but planned to in the future if his current business went well at this location. Board members and Mr.
Corona discussed disposal of the old tires, stressing that it must be done legally. The Corona’s stated
that they used a recycling facility for tire disposal. B. Mazade asked when they would have the site in
order. G. Corona stated that M. Franzak had given them one month from today’s date to get the
necessary work done. M. Franzak also asked Mr. Corona to supply a site plan showing a screening
fence. T. Michalski stated that, if an extension was granted, the Planning Commission would expect
results, as this site had been a problem for years.
A motion to table the request to revoke the Special Land Use Permit for 1272/1308 S. Getty St. until
the next meeting was made by B. Larson, supported by J. Montgomery-Keast and unanimously
approved, with T. Michalski, B. Mazade, J. Montgomery-Keast, F. Peterson, S. Gawron, and B. Larson
voting aye.
OLD BUSINESS
None
OTHER
Smaller lots & Multi-family housing. M. Franzak asked board members to review the material mailed
to them in their meeting packet regarding these two issues. He had received approval from the City
Commission to study the issues and work on solutions.
B.C. Cobb Plant. M. Franzak and F. Peterson discussed this site and advised board members that there
had been some interest from a potential buyer.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:38 p.m.
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