The Planning Commission for Lowell Charter Township met for approximately 45 minutes last night to discuss two pieces of business and hear from a resident who would like to board horses on his property. All commissioners were present for the meeting.
Horse Boarding Proposal Runs into Obstacles
During the public comments portion of the meeting, commissioners heard from resident Joe McRoberts who would like a permit to board four horses on his property. He owns three parcels along Snow Road which total 35 acres.
McRoberts and his wife purchased the property about two years ago, and it had existing barns and an indoor riding arena. The couple plan to own two horses and would like to rent out the four remaining stalls in the barn.
While the property is presently used for agricultural purposes, including cattle, it is zoned residential. As a result, there is no option within the township zoning ordinance to approve a special use permit for horse boarding on the property.
Instead, commissioners discussed the following options:
- Rezoning the property to the agricultural district to allow the owners to apply for a special use permit.
- Changing the zoning ordinance to make horse boarding a special use within the residential zone.
- Having the couple apply for a variance, although there was some question regarding whether use variances could be granted by the township.
Complicating matters is a 66-foot easement on the property that is held by a neighbor. It was unclear whether the neighbor simply had an easement or owned that piece of land. Commissioners asked Brad Kotrba, their planning consultant from the firm Williams & Works, to investigate that matter.
Chair Dave Simmonds seemed to favor rezoning, assuming the 66-foot strip isn’t owned by the neighbor. However, Commissioner Mark Batchelor felt differently.
“I’d almost be in favor of changing the ordinance,” Batchelor said. He worried about allowing agricultural land to creep into what is otherwise a residential area.
It was noted that if the ordinance was changed to allow horse boarding in the residential district, it would require a special use permit and each application could be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
At the end of the conversation, commissioners advised McRoberts that they would investigate further before determining the best way to proceed.
Change to Electronic Sign Ordinance Recommended
Commissioners unanimously recommended that the Lowell Township Board approve a change to the sign ordinance to allow electronic reader boards in the AG-1 and AG-2 districts. The ordinance change would also prohibit the internal or external illumination of home-based business and home occupation signs.
A public hearing was held prior to the vote, and one resident spoke in favor of the change. He was the former pastor of the Christian Life Center Church, which had kicked off discussion of the issue last year when they requested an electronic reader board for their property.
The ordinance amendment now goes to the Lowell Charter Township Board for final approval.
Dollar Tree Site Plan Receives Final Approval
At last month’s meeting, Dollar Tree presented plans for a new building to be constructed on Fulton Street next to the Creation Kingdom daycare. However, their plans were missing some details so commissioners tabled the site plan until this month.
Last night, the commission un-tabled the site plan and reviewed the additional information provided by Dollar Tree. That included signage and lighting details as well as a proposed sidewalk that would connect to an existing walkway in front of the neighboring daycare.
Satisfied that all their requirements were met, commissioners voted unanimously to approve the Dollar Tree site plan, pending the completion of a geotechnical report that is currently in progress. A representative of the company said construction should begin mid-July and the store be open by the end of the year.
The meeting adjourned at 7:46pm, and the next regular meeting of the Lowell Charter Township Planning Commission will be on Monday, June 12, at 7pm at the Lowell Township Hall.
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