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ANN ARBOR CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 21, 2005
The regular monthly meeting of the Ann Arbor Charter Township Board of Trustees was called to order by Supervisor Moran at 7:35 p.m. at the Township Hall, 3792 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105
Present: Supervisor Michael Moran, Treasurer Virginia Forshee, Clerk Rena Basch, Trustees Della DiPietro, Gene Ragland and John Allison. Also present, Attorney Sandra Sorini Elser. Late: Trustee Richard Dieterle arrived at 8:15 pm.
Citizen Participation Ellen Offen, 1911 Boulder: As a parent, volunteer and School Board Member requested Board allow annexation. Current overcrowding endangers quality of education. Schools did conduct an open process, and are already addressing issues of traffic and environment. Monica Knowles, 3420 Woodlea Drive: Concerned with traffic and safety. Easy solution to put school at this sight, but not the best. Could have same traffic problems as at current Huron HS. Please delay annexation. Jeremey Seligman, 2629 Danbury Lane: Slow down this process until possible risks have been evaluated. Wait until final WCRC and MDOT studies are complete. Previous experience with high school on a two-lane road showed significant traffic issues. Debra Mexicotte, 2660 Yost: AASB Trustee. Read lengthy statement. Small vocal minority opposing annexation does not capture overwhelming data in support of school plan. All studies and data show safety will improve at other high schools and be safe at this one. Other sites considered; this one is best. Wayne Broadbank, Blueberry Lane: Teaches at School of Business and is deeply concerned about traffic situation. Will change a two-lane road into one of busiest in the area. Pioneer is bordered on 2 sides by 4-lane roads. Both of his children have had accidents pulling out onto Maple Road. Wait until plan is proven safe. James VanCoppenolle, 2540 Craig Road: Has been a part of the process; participated in committees. Minutes show there was wide range of opinions, no concurrence on "comprehensive high school." Believes that an additional year of planning is necessary. Concerned with the traffic. Requested that AAPS do a WATS macro study and a safety study/walk-around. Residents in his neighborhood volunteered to pay for the safety walk-around, but their request was denied. Supervisor Moran stated that he had received several emails over the weekend. Concerns included: danger created by construction where only a 2-lane road; only one entrance to school; steep elevations on Maple Road.
Approval of Minutes Website referred to by Ms. Heberle should be www.proposedhighschool.org. There are a few typographical errors on the bottom of page 1.
Washtenaw County Road Commission Steve Puuri, Managing Director of WCRC handed out a presentation describing the organization's mission, duties, structure, budget and accomplishments. One issue pointed out was that new development does not mean any additional revenue for MDOT and road commissions to address traffic, unless that funding has been negotiated at the time of development. WCRC also provided the Board with a booklet, "2005 Annual Meeting Ann Arbor Township" summarizing 2004 and proposing 2005 projects. It was noted that the Dixboro Bridge at Huron River reconstruction is the most expensive project WCRC has taken on (> $13M); it is 1/3 rd complete. In 2004, WCRC started a capital improvement plan; all projects greater than $100,000 fall under this plan. The right-of-ways in the City master plan need to be revised, as they were laid out in the '70s. The proposed 2005 projects were discussed. The WCRC proposed minor ditching, berm removal, road shaping, limestone and dust control for the following possible projects:
For the 3 rd year in a row, Ann Arbor Township will request Northfield Township to share the cost of improving Joy Road (Dixboro to Pontiac Trail). Other projects discussed:
Annexations, Ordinances, Conditional Uses, Zoning
AZ-2-05: Parcel I-09-18-300-003 —Request by Owners Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) for annexation release of one parcel totaling approximately 109 acres located on Maple Road for the purpose of hooking up to city utilities for development of a new high school. Jack Baker gave an introductory presentation and provided the Board with a handout. He reminded the Board that AAPS had many community forums and evaluated many options. Dick Mitchell presented a preliminary drawing of the site with proposed access and traffic flow depicted. There will be 800 parking spaces, and separate entrances for student drivers, parent drop-off and buses. There will be a traffic light at the main entrance to the school, and a new traffic light at the M-14 ramp. Environmental considerations of the site development were presented. Board discussion: Trustee Allison is impressed with AAPS environmental efforts, but is still concerned with traffic. He requested that AAPS return to the Township in the future for an update on the traffic safety plan. Trustee Ragland congratulated all involved in the development at the progress that has been made, but is in favor of tabling the annexation issue for more information on traffic and safety. Supervisor Moran stated that this petition to the Township is not a site plan or environmental review, but a petition for annexation release. The Board wanted to have Township involvement in future discussion of traffic and safety and the development of the traffic plan. Motion: Trustee Allison moves to approve release of this parcel contingent upon AAPS including a Township representative in traffic planning and AAPS returning to the Township Board with a traffic plan update. Dieterle seconded the motion. The motion passed 6-1 by a roll call vote. AYES: Allison, Basch, Dieterle, DiPietro, Forshee, Moran NAYS: Ragland Trustee Ragland was designated the Township representative for traffic planning. Motion: Trustee Allison moves to request a speed evaluation on Newport Road from Maple Road to the City limits. Ragland seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Supervisor Moran called a 5 minute recess at 10:00 pm. Meeting resumed 10:05 pm.
Motion: Clerk Basch moved to Table zoning items B and C because of time constraints: Article II, Section 130.202 —Amendment to Zoning Ordinance to replace definitions of Child Care Center and Day Care Home. Planning Commission recommended approval at its January 2005 meeting. Article X, Section 130.1003A —Amendment of Zoning Ordinance to amend conditional uses in Rural Districts see references to notes 3 and 4 throughout. Planning Commission recommended approval at its January 2005 meeting. Motion seconded by Trustee DiPietro, and approved unanimously.
Appointments, Resolutions, Reports, Discussions
Washtenaw Urban County —In 2002 the Township resolved to participate in the Washtenaw Urban County for the period July 2003 to July 2006. The Urban County requests that we resolve to continue our participation from July 2006 to July 2009. Trustee Ragland moved approval of continued participation. Trustee Dieterle seconded the motion which then passed unanimously.
Motion: Trustee Allison moved to change the agenda to consider item H, "Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board review of appraisals" next. Trustee DiPietro seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board— Review of appraisals and FOSB recommendations regarding PDR.Motion: Trustee Allison moves that the Board enter a closed session. Trustee Dieterle seconded. Motion passes unanimously. At 10:15 pm, the Board entered a closed session for discussion with the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board Chair Raymond Grew and Township Attorney Sandra Sorini-Elser. At 10:40 pm, the Board returns to open Board Meeting. Motion: Trustee Allison moved to authorize Supervisor Moran to apply for a grant from the Federal Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program and to request funding by the City of Ann Arbor for the purchase of development rights of a parcel owned by the Kapp Family Living Trust. Trustee Dieterle seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Washtenaw Development Council —Request by WDC for continued commitment for 2005. Motion: Trustee Ragland moved to Table this request until next Board Meeting; Clerk Basch seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
32d Annual Dexter-A2 Run —Request to close portions of Huron River Drive on June 5, 2005 for Dexter-Ann Arbor Run. Motion: Trustee Ragland moved to close the requested portions of Huron River Drive on June 5, 2005 subject to the Township Attorney review and approval of the documents. Seconded: Treasurer Forshee. Passed unanimously.
Supervisor’s Report —In light of the late hour, Supervisor Moran will email his report regarding topics such as: Pall/Gelman pollution and proposed court order; water and sewer contracts; utilities, annexation problems, and neighborhood meetings; revenue sharing projections; County contribution for Sheriff’s patrol; proposed federal legislation regarding conservation easements.
Planning Commission Report—Trustee Allison mentioned some upcoming items for Spiritus Sanctus conditional use permit. Christ the King church is acquiring a long term lease on Spiritus Sanctus.
Public Safety – There was no report submitted from Chief Ericson; a Sheriff's department report was in the packet.
Approval of Claims Listings— Trustee DiPietro moved to accept the claims listings for March 1, 2005 in the amount of $216,435.44. Trustee Allison seconded the motion which passed unanimously. Trustee Allison moved to accept the claims listings for March 16, 2005 in the amount of $68,770.32. Trustee Ragland seconded the motion which passes unanimously.
Information
Trustee Allison handed out information on proposed changes to Farmland Tax Abatement. Utility issues – City Council will be asked to extend the hook-up fee increase deadline by 45 days. They also agreed to remove the sidewalk improvement fee. Trustee Allison expressed concern regarding the City requiring "proof" of residents already hooked up of having previously paid the fees. The presumption should be if a resident is connected then all fees were paid at that time of hook-up. The City seems to willing to agree to this extension going forward. Motion: Trustee Allison moved that Supervisor Moran express concerns to Ann Arbor City and request a revision of the policy on improvement fees. DiPietro seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.
Public Comment: There was no public comment.
Adjournment: At 10:55 pm, Treasurer Forshee moved to adjourn the meeting; Trustee Ragland seconded the motion, which received unanimous consent.
_________________________ _________________________ Michael Moran, Supervisor Rena Basch, Clerk
Minutes prepared by Clerk Basch |