The Silver Lake Planning Commission, Supervisors and Ad Hoc committee met on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at the Silver Lake Township Building.  Laurence Harvilchuck called the work session to order at 7:30 pm.

The committee received written comments from Kim Fruehan.

Minutes from the last two work sessions were emailed to committee members along with the tabulated survey results.  These will be posted on the Silver Lake Township website with correction.

As a start to the work session Mr. Harvilchuck asked the committee if anyone felt like they were being led around by the nose and directed in a certain way? There were no replies in the affirmative. Mr. Fruehan stated that he would like the committee to step back and come up with an agenda as to how procedures would be discussed—i.e.  The need for specific ordinances, what SALDO can and cannot do.  Basically a better schedule to address whatever concerns the committee may see that the township is facing in the future.  Mr. Harvilchuck felt that there had been good discussion on potential land uses in the area.  At the meeting that Mr. Helfrich attended it was discussed (not decided) that to propose a variety of different ordinances for all the uses could possibly be more restrictive than Zoning itself.  Mrs. Bouman suggested continue going through the proposed zoning ordinance and when that is completed look at it and see if the similar objective can be accomplished in some other way.  Mr. Dugan spoke and said he doesn’t believe an actual list of problems that currently exists or could exist was ever generated.  This list may be helpful.  The Northern Tier Coalition has a Comprehensive Plan setting forth its goals charting the future for the township.  Is an ordinance needed to implement what is in the Comprehensive Plan?  And what form would the ordinance(s) take?  By going through all the various uses helps the committee see how everyone feels about them.  It helps to see what uses could generate problems in the future.  Mr. Derham spoke that a broad spectrum of potential problems could be addressed in a more efficient manner with one ordinance than a series of ordinances.  Mr. Fruehan said he would like to see some kind of plan laid out of where the committee is going.  Mr. Derham felt that by going through the survey and addressing each use the committee will see what may and may not work.  Mr. Trecoske felt that the ordinance should be completed then put on a shelf in case it is decided that it may be needed in the future but the work would be done.  Mr. Harvilchuck said that as the area continues to grow some type of regulations will need to be put into place so that everyone can enjoy peace and quiet that everyone appreciates.  As Mr. Dugan pointed out the committee is not even close to recommending what should be done, if anything.  As Mr. Harvilchuck pointed out, the public cannot be educated on what the committee is proposing until there is a proposal.  Mr. Swan stated that what he would like to see is once the proposed zoning ordinance is redrafted he would like to take a look at the current township ordinances.  Take care of any necessary updating of the ordinances and then sit down and decide what is the best solution.  However, Mr. Swan pointed out that whatever needs to be done there needs to be a way to enforce it.  There seems to be some confusion as to the current Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance and what can be enforced. 

Mr. Harvilchuck pointed out that the charter of the Committee is to propose a revised solution, identify problems of interest, the mechanisms open to remedy those problems, and when it is done it will be decided upon.  To lay out an agenda would be a good idea. 

The review of the tabulated survey results continued.  Mr. Norton said he has a piece of land and when he went out and walked it he found that if setbacks were 300 feet he wouldn’t be able to do anything because it is narrow land.  It was pointed out that his piece of land is an existing.  The 300 feet does not apply to every use.  There are some uses that would be considered conditional and guidelines would have to be met to be considerate of neighbors.  There is not a commercial district; however, just about everything would be allowed in the “RA” district.  The point is not to stop development but to make sure whatever development occurs doesn’t affect the neighbors in a bad way.  There are some uses that are controlled by the Department of Environmental Protection.

At the next meeting, Mr. Fruehan volunteered to bring a list of recent building projects and the approximate square footage that was involved for each use. The committee will finish the review of tabulated survey results at the next meeting. Mr. Harvilchuck adjourned the work session at 9:15 pm.