VILLAGE OF SPRING LAKE

VILLAGE COUNCIL

MINUTES

September 8, 2004

Barber School Community Building

102 West Exchange Street

Spring Lake, MI 49456

I. Call to Order:

President Keller called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

II. Pledge of Allegiance

III. Roll Call:

Present: Filber, Hall, Holland, Keller, Palma & VanStrate

Excused: Fischer

IV. Reports and Statements of Citizens:

No reports or statements of citizens were presented.

.

V. Consent Agenda:

A. Approved payment of the bills in the amount of $82,798.49.

B. Approved the minutes of the August 16, 2004 meeting.

C. Approved the low bid of $22,050.77 from the Power Shop of Fremont, MI. for a tractor/snow blower.

D. Approved the low bid of $23,714.00 from Gorno Ford, Woodhaven, MI for a ¾ ton replacement pick-up truck.

E. Approved the traffic control order to change the “No Parking” on the north side of Exchange Street just east of Prospect Street.

On a motion by Hall, support from Filber, the Village Council approved the Consent Agenda as presented.

Yes: 6 No: 0

VI. Report by the Village Clerk

A. Held a public hearing on the 2004 Downtown Development Plan.

President Keller opened the public hearing at 7:35 p.m.

Manager Cotton summarized the plan for council members. He indicated that some of the new provisions of the plan included:

• Establishment of a downtown core area;
• Adopting design guidelines for the remainder of the village commercial areas;
• Provide for way finding signage and other pedestrian assistance; and
• Create an Exchange Street typical façade profile

Council member VanStrate indicated that he was opposed to the following provisions of the document:

• The incorporating of traffic calming measures on Exchange Street;
• The vacating or selling Cutler Street south of Exchange Street; and
• The re-location of Tanglefoot Park

Council member Holland stated the following:

• That the re-location of Tanglefoot Park was in the DDA Plan for future planning, 20-30 years out;
• That a walkable Exchange Street was desirable, especially within the core downtown area; and
• Maintaining viable businesses on Savidge Street was important

Council member Hall indicated that he supported the calming of traffic on Exchange Street.

Council member Filber indicated that, Exchange Street traffic was an issue and ensuring safe pedestrian crossing of Exchange Street was important.

The following public comments were expressed:

• Stacie Stevens, 509 Buena Vista, read a statement supporting the DDA plan.
• Mr. Scott Keller asked about the zoning of property he owned, located south of South Street along the Grand River.
• Ms. Karla Constantine, The Travel Place, expressed support for the plan and in particular the design guidelines.

On a motion by Palma, support from Holland, the council closed the public hearing.

Yes: 6 No: 0

VII. Report by Village Manager

A: Approved the Village of Spring Lake Downtown Development and approved a resolution adopting the Plan.

Manager Cotton explained that a member of the Historic Conservation District pointed out an error that designated residential property on Liberty Street for office on the Future Land Use map on page 19. The four homes on Liberty between Park and Division Street should be shown as Single Family Residential. He said a note to this effect would be included on the map in the plan.

Council member Palma asked if the Plan needed to be reviewed every 5 years. Village Attorney, Sullivan indicated that, the Planning Commission should review the Plan after 5 years.

Michelle Yasenak, 509 Savidge Street, asked council members if the proposed Rite-Aid development would have to conform to the Design Guidelines. Manager Cotton indicated that Rite-Aid would be strongly encouraged to comply with the guidelines, but that it was not required at this time.

Ms. Simsick, Beach Drive, suggested that the Historic Commission should review new construction.

It was moved by Hall, supported by Filber, to approve a resolution approving the DDA Plan and distributing as per the Municipal Planning Act.

Yes: 5 No: 1 (VanStrate)

B: Approved priorities on implementation of the Downtown Development Plan.

Manager Cotton reviewed the priorities with Council members.

Council Member Holland stated that in his opinion the village had the right to discuss a bridge crossing in the township. Following a discussion the following changes were added to the priorities:

1. Move forward with Zoning Changes for the Old Public Works Garage area on Buchanan and Exchange. This matter was being scheduled by staff for the Planning Commission to vote up or down at their next meeting. (The vote was expected to be split and ultimately not recommended by the Planning Commission.)

2. Move forward with adoption of a Design Manual. The CBDDA planned to move approval of such a manual at their meeting on Thursday, September 9 at 7:30 AM.

3. Move forward with adoption of Zoning Code Amendments to implement healthy, historic downtown provisions for the Downtown Core. The CBDDA planned to move approval of such Zoning Code changes at their meeting on Thursday, September 9 at 7:30 AM.

4. Move forward with an “Exchange Street Typical” to determine parking on Exchange, crosswalks, desired landscaping, signage, etc. Moore and Bruggink were currently working on this goal via TIF funding.

5. Redevelopment of Harbor Steel, as was currently before the Planning Commission;

6. Implement ornamental street lighting on Savidge, east of Lake.

7. Redevelop the area between Mill Point Park and Tanglefoot Park.

8. Actively work to propel County Board and Road Commission also, Spring Lake Township to review another local bridge crossing;

9. Effectively market the Mill Point Park Launch Ramp.

It was moved by Hall, supported by Filber, to approve the amended list of priorities in no particular order.

Yes: 5 No: 1 (VanStrate)

C: Approved a resolution to accept the conveyance of property at School and Savidge streets, offered by David Emerson, dba Hospitality on the Grand.

Manager Cotton reviewed this issue with council members. Mr. Cotton indicated that it was also necessary to approve a Due Care Plan for the conservation easement located on this property. He indicated that this was the next item of business on the agenda.

Mr. Cotton reported that he had been informed that Coastal Management had awarded the village $35,000.00 for the Design of Phase 1 of the Grand River greenway project.

Mr. Sullivan advised council members that he has been holding discussions with Mr. Emerson regarding an easement for the Grand River Greenway project on adjacent property.

It was moved by Hall, supported by Filber, to approve a resolution accepting conveyance of the School and Savidge Street property and approving a Due Care Plan for the Conservation Easement Property.

Yes: 6 No: 0

VIII. Report by the Village Council.

There was no report by the Village Council presented.

IX. Statements of Citizens:

There were no statements of citizens presented.

X. Re-Convene the Work Session.

The work session was re-convened at 8:20 p.m.

XI. Executive Session to Discuss Potential Property Acquisition.

It was moved by Holland, supported by Palma, to adjourn to executive session.

Yes: 6 No: 0

It was moved by Palma, supported by Holland to return from closed session.

Yes: 6 No: 0

XII. Adjournment

It was moved by VanStrate, supported by Filber, to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 p.m.

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Daniel Keller, Village President

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John Hansen, Community Service Director