HOLLAND CHARTER TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION 

Regular Meeting 

January 4, 2011 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Hoeve at 7:00 p.m. 

Present:           Chairman Marion Hoeve, Vice-Chrmn/Secretary Jack VanderMeulen and Members Arlan Hossink, LaVerne Johnson, Ken Bosma and Dennis Gebben.  Also present were Zoning Administrator Jon Mersman, Assistant Zoning Administrator Meghann Reynolds and Recording Secretary Susan Working. 

Absent:            Member Willis Driesenga. 

The minutes of the meeting of December 7, 2010 were approved as presented. 

Mr. Hoeve explained the meeting and hearing procedures to the assembled audience. 

Mr. Hoeve opened the public hearing to consider a special use request submitted by Randy Lamer for permission to operate an online used vehicle sales business in an I-2 Industrial zone.  The property is located at 2127 – 112th Avenue. 

Mr. Lamer explained how the business will work.  Cars will be parked on the property but will not have signage on them.  Pictures and details about each vehicle will be displayed on line. 

Mr. Bosma asked if there would be any signage and Mr. Lamer replied there will be no signs. 

In response to a question from Mr. Gebben, Mr. Lamer stated that there will probably be 3-5 vehicles for sale at any one time. 

Mr. Gebben also asked about parking for the vehicles.  Mr. Lamer stated that the parking lot has sufficient room and there is also room inside the building. 

There was no one present to ask questions or object to the request. 

It was moved by Mr. Gebben and supported by Mr. Hossink to close the public hearing.  Motion carried. 

It was moved by Mr. Bosma and supported by Mr. VanderMeulen to approve the special use request as submitted and presented with the stipulations that there be no identifying signs, stickers, etc., on the vehicles, as well as no business signage at the facility, and that the maximum number of vehicles be limited to seven.  Motion carried. 

Commission Members reviewed draft 3 of the proposed medical marijuana ordinance.

Concerned citizen Amy Gasoway and Attorney Thomas Levene voiced some concerns and opinions regarding this proposal. 

Mr. Mersman reported that he had attended a meeting in Allendale regarding the new law and noted that it appears licensing is the way to go.  Information regarding patients and caregivers cannot be given to law enforcement.  Some attorneys are of the opinion that wording in the law means dispensaries, clubs, etc., are allowed. 

Mr. Mersman explained that the current draft of the ordinance does not allow for dispensaries, clubs, etc.  Also, patients and caregivers cannot operate in retail or other commercial settings, industrial facilities, apartment or condo complexes. 

Mr. Hoeve asked if the Township attorney has reviewed the draft.  Mr. Mersman stated that Mr. Martin has reviewed the draft and made the recommendation that the supporting data be placed in a preamble to the ordinance and not as part of the ordinance provisions. 

Mr. Bosma asked where other communities were at with this issue.  Mr. Mersman replied that many have issued moratoriums on the subject and are waiting to see what happens in other municipalities. 

Mr. VanderMeulen asked if a building permit would be needed in addition to electrical, plumbing or mechanical permits.  He also asked the time period for licensing and how the unused portion of the marijuana plants is dealt with. 

Mr. Mersman replied that a building permit would not be required if there are no structural changes.  The license expiration has not been worked out yet.  Disposal of the unused portion of the marijuana plants is up to the grower’s discretion. 

Mr. Mersman stated that work will continue on the ordinance and the Commission will receive future drafts. 

Ms. Reynolds updated the Commission on the Master Plan progress. 

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m. 

Respectfully submitted, 

Susan Working
Recording Secretary