The Lowell Charter Township Board of Trustees had its regular meeting on Monday, August 15. All board members were present, and there were several ordinances on the agenda that were adopted as well as two reappointments.
Among them was the adoption of an ordinance to amend wall sign requirements and a discussion of regulating solar energy systems. Both were first discussed at last month’s township board meeting.
Board members also briefly discussed whether they should be regulating short-term rentals in the township. However, they ultimately decided against that.
Adoption of POW- MIA Recognition Day
The first item on the agenda was the adoption of Resolution 2022-08, which designates September 16, 2022 as Prisoner of War-Missing in Action Recognition Day This resolution is something that “…we do every year,” according to board members, and it was unanimously adopted to be observed this year.
Assessor Contract for Sept. 1, 2022 – Aug. 31, 2023
This item was to approve the adoption of the assessor contract for the upcoming year. One board member had a question regarding when the assessor visits new homes, and then the contract was unanimously adopted. It will be signed and renewed by the board for the upcoming year.
Adoption of Ordinance to Amend Wall Sign Requirements
This item was a note of business from the previous meeting. The last meeting was the first reading of the amendment. And board members noted there had been no changes made since the first meeting. The adoption of the amendment was made unanimously.
Adoption of Ordinance to Regulate Solar Energy Systems
This amendment was brought up at the previous meeting as well. It was quickly mentioned that there were no changes made to the amendment after the previous meeting. Treasurer Ronda Benedict mentioned, “We were just waiting for…more information on…the battery storage.”
There were questions about regulations if the solar panels were attached to a trailer or if the solar power system was affixed to a device, but some board members did not want to get too detailed in the ordinance requirements. “If we start wanting to regulate all of that, we will drive ourselves buggy,” one person commented.
It was also clarified that solar farms can only be in the floodplain. Concerns raised at the last meeting about placing underground wires in the floodplain were not mentioned during Monday’s meeting. It was also noted that any time there is a zoning ordinance, it does not have to go through a first and second reading. The amendment was approved unanimously.
Approval of Revision 1 To 2022 Tax Rate for Fire Protection Millage
This item was to approve the revision 1 for the Fire Protection Millage that was passed in the August election. This revision was approved to allow the board to sign the millage. It was approved unanimously.
Adoption of Resolution 2022-09 for Stony Bluff Phase 4 Final Plat
The Stony Bluff development off Foreman Street is ready to begin its fourth phase, and board members voted on the final plat during their Monday meeting.
The quadrant that is up for approval (Phase 4) is in the northwest corner. There have been soil samples and the utilities are in. It has 29 lots. There still needs to be some surveying done and more soil samples. Upon adoption and Clerk Monica Burtt’s signature, the final plat will be sent to Lansing by the first part of September.
It was also noted that the street lights in Phase 3 are already in, and the Phase 4 lots are already sold. The resolution was unanimously adopted.
Reappointments for Greg Forde and Mark Batchelor
Greg Forde and Mark Batchelor were reappointed unanimously to three-year terms to the Lowell Charter Township Planning Commission.
Discussion on Need for Short Term Rental Ordinance
At the end of the meeting, there was a discussion regarding whether the township needed a short-term rental ordinance.
One person in attendance expressed an interest in renting out a home that they owned but weren’t living in. It was noted that the ability to rent out one’s home is a “hot issue” in the community. Noise was discussed, as was the possibility of Airbnbs bringing in a lot of money.
However, board members had questions about how to categorize these short-term rentals. “Is it a hotel/motel” or a “bed and breakfast?” one person asked. Another board member said, “I don’t see a need to beat the drum.”
At the end of the conversation, there was a motion that the board NOT address short-term rentals “…at this time.” This was approved unanimously.
The meeting adjourned at 7:31pm. The next regular meeting of the Lowell Charter Township Board will be at 7pm on Monday, September 19, in the Lowell Township Hall.
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