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CITY OF MUSKEGON
PLANNING COMMISSION
SPECIAL MEETING
MINUTES
June 11, 2015
Chairman T. Michalski called the meeting to order at 4:00 p.m. and roll was taken.
MEMBERS PRESENT: B. Mazade, J. Doyle, L. Spataro, S. Gawron, B. Smith, B. Larson,
T. Michalski
MEMBERS ABSENT: F. Peterson, excused
STAFF PRESENT: M. Franzak, D. Renkenberger
OTHERS PRESENT: K. Irey, 1507 Carlton, Whitehall; Tim, Architectural Group
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion that the minutes of the special meeting of May 16, 2015 be approved, was made by J.
Doyle, supported by B. Larson and unanimously approved.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Hearing, Case 2015-11: Request for an outdoor wedding ceremony venue in a B-3, Central
Business District at 1104 6th Street and 520 W Clay Avenue, by Kait Irey. M. Franzak presented
the staff report. The property is located in a B-3, Central Business District, which allows similar
uses such as assembly/rental halls and outdoor music concert halls, as a special use. The special
use permit requested in this case would allow wedding services and similar uses, but would not
allow receptions. The Planning Commission may restrict the hours of business at the site. There
are several reception halls near this location. The parcels combined measure about 135’ x 140’,
which is about .42 acres. The venue would hold seating for about 200 people. Bathrooms are
not proposed at this time; however, staff is researching the building codes to see if they are
required, even though a principal structure is not being built. A small parking area, about 2,850
square feet in size, will be constructed off the alley. Notice was sent to all properties within 300
feet of the subject properties. Staff had not received any comments.
M. Franzak stated that, after researching the issue, he found that bathrooms will be required, at
the rate of 1 per 150 people. Additional parking would not be required. L. Spataro asked how
this request fit in with the recently approved Form Based Codes (FBC) zoning. M. Franzak
stated that he had found an error in the FBC and this one area was inadvertently left out, so it
was still B-3. B. Mazade asked if there were any other improvements besides parking that were
proposed. M. Franzak stated that there were not, but now there would have to be restroom
facilities. B. Mazade stated that he would not want to see porta-jons there; M. Franzak
concurred.
K. Irey stated that this wedding facility would complement the many reception hall venues in the
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downtown area, and it would be available only seasonally, from approximately May to October.
She stated that she would have to explore available options for a restroom facility. J. Doyle
asked about the picket fence and shrubs shown on the site plan. K. Irey stated that those items
were part of the plan for an English garden-type look. L. Spataro stated that, although there were
no permanent structure proposed, the site plan lacked detail. He stated that there was an old
foundation on the site and asked if that would be removed. K. Irey stated that she planned to
work the existing foundation into the design of the lot. J. Doyle asked what other type of events
would be allowed there besides weddings. K. Irey stated that it could host bridal or baby
showers, or small corporate lunches.
A motion to close the public hearing was made by B. Mazade, supported by L. Spataro and
unanimously approved.
L. Spataro stated that since the changes to the existing lot were mainly cosmetic, he was okay
with the limited site plan. B. Larson asked about the restroom facility requirements. M. Franzak
stated that it would have to be a permanent structure, based on the Michigan Building Code. T.
Michalski stated that the applicant would have to work with staff on a solution to the restroom
issue.
A motion that the special land use permit to allow an outdoor wedding venue at 1104 6th Street
and 520 West Clay Avenue, by Kait Irey, be approved based on compliance with the City’s
Master Land Use Plan and conditions set forth in Section 2203 of the City of Muskegon Zoning
Ordinance, was made by B. Smith, supported by L. Spataro and unanimously approved, with B.
Mazade, J. Doyle, L. Spataro, S. Gawron, B. Smith, B. Larson, and T. Michalski voting aye.
NEW BUSINESS
Case 2015-12: Request for a site plan review for an addition to the surgery center at 1365 &
1400 Mercy Drive. M. Franzak presented the staff report. The Muskegon Surgery Center is
located at 1400 Mercy Dr. The applicant is seeking approval for a major addition to the front
and back of the building, totaling 118,145 square feet between three levels. The first page of the
site plans provided showed the breakdown of additions to each floor. Both properties are zoned
MC, Medical Care. The vacant doctor’s office building across the street at 1365 Mercy Dr will
be demolished and a parking lot serving the surgery center will be installed. Heated sidewalks
will be installed at 1365 Mercy Dr; they are already installed at 1400 Mercy Dr. The new
parking lot will add 130 parking spaces; however, 56 spaces will be eliminated at 1400 Mercy Dr
due to the additions. There will be a total of 363 spaces for the surgery center; only 343 are
required. The layout of the building meets all setbacks and other zoning requirements. A
stormwater management plan and calculations must still be submitted. Water supply fire flow
information must be approved by the Fire Marshall and the number of hydrants shall comply
with the International Fire Code of 2012 appendix C. The new canopy must meet the minimum
requirements for height and clearance of 14 feet. Staff recommends approval of the site plan for
the building additions.
M. Franzak stated that there would be two phases to the addition, one for the front and one for
the back. Since the staff report was done, a stormwater management plan had been received and
approved by the Engineering Department. Also, per Fire Marshall M. Metcalf, the 14-foot
canopy would not be needed. However, a motion for approval should still include #6 in the list
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of staff observations, regarding water supply fire flow information. L. Spataro stated that the site
plan was very complete and he was glad to see it was pedestrian-friendly.
A motion that the site plan for the parking lot and building additions at 1365 & 1400 Mercy
Drive be approved as presented, with the condition that water supply fire flow information must
be approved by the Fire Marshall and the number of hydrants shall comply with the International
Fire Code of 2012 appendix C, was made by L. Spataro, supported by B. Larson and
unanimously approved, with B. Mazade, J. Doyle, L. Spataro, S. Gawron, B. Smith, B. Larson,
and T. Michalski voting aye.
OLD BUSINESS
None
OTHER
Training – P. LeBlanc from LSL Planning was in attendance with a training presentation for
Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission members after the meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:24 p.m.
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