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Friday, December 31, 2010

Pleasanton Township Board (December) - Web Update

Even though Duke Energy says construction is at least two years away, commercial wind turbine projects have been officially slowed by the Pleasanton Township Board. At its December 13 meeting, the board passed a one-year moratorium on construction and land-use permits relating to wind energy systems. The vote was 4-0, with Trustee Bob Babcock abstaining.

The board acted on the advice of Zoning Administrator Rochelle Rollenhagen, who was unable to attend the meeting, but had sent an email earlier that night. "[T]he Planning Commission needs some time to research this so [it] can write the ordinance correctly the first time--not that there may not be amendments to it in the future," wrote Rollenhagen. She cited potential impacts on health, safety and welfare of township residents, and the increased height of modern wind turbines. Benzie County's Blaine Township, and the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, which owns the Arcadia Dunes preserve, have also halted construction until more study is done.

Trustee Dave Ertel said that in the meantime, work on the commercial wind ordinance, which began in the fall, will continue. "If we get this done, we can come back and rescind this [moratorium]," he said. Ertel, who made the motion, also stated that the moratorium could serve as a deterrent for Duke. "If we do this, we're also giving the energy company a chance to look elsewhere," he said. Supervisor Tony Merrill, who seconded the motion, said that the moratorium could provide time to talk with Bear Lake and Arcadia Townships about sharing costs for noise consultants.

The moratorium also gives Pleasanton Township a chance to get its own house in order. Pleasanton's Planning Commission, which is charged with actually writing the wind ordinance, is in some disarray. Bob Babcock brought up the issue during the Board meeting, after the previous week's scheduled Planning Commission meeting was cancelled, for lack of a quorum. "What should we do?" asked Babcock. "There's no vice chair, no secretary, no chair--he's gone for the winter. I don't know where the minutes are at. We need to get this under control." Babcock recently took over as the Board's representative to the Planning Commission, replacing Dave Ertel. Merrill said he would find out if Kris Kranz, who has attended meetings infrequently, was still interested in serving.

Ertel replied that the minutes he had from past meetings were put onto a computer disc and given to commission Chair Bob Stafford. The Board agreed to contact Stafford in order to obtain the minutes, and Ertel said he'd see if he had copies of them. Treasurer Judy Girven offered to put them online, with the help of Clerk Amy Cross.

Another issue affecting the Planning Commission is its terms of office. This month, newly-appointed member Bob Peterson finishes out Jeanne Crampton's term. She resigned in November, with one month remaining in her term. The Gander asked the Board if it planned to keep Bob Peterson on the commission by extending his appointment to a full term. The Board responded by appointing him, but there was some confusion about how long his term should be. Available records appeared to show three-year terms of office, lasting from December 20, 2007 to December 20, 2010.

But it was unclear if this information was correct. Some members of the Board recalled that the terms of office were staggered. "It shows here that all of them expire [this month], but that can't be right," said Merrill. "We'll have to find out when they were all appointed," said Ertel, and the Board agreed to research the issue. In the meantime, the Board appointed Peterson for a one-year term, lasting until Dec. 20, 2011.

There was no action to fill Bryan Kidd's seat on the Planning Commission. His term expires this month. The Gander asked Supervisor Merrill how the vacancy would be advertised, but Merrill said it would not be. "I'm not going to, unless the Board wants to," he said. Ertel and Girven said that advertising such a position wasn't mandatory, and that appointees were at the discretion of the Supervisor.

In other business, the Board passed its yearly poverty guidelines, which allow low-income residents to apply for a reduction in taxes. Applications are considered by the township's Board of Review every March, July and December. More information can be obtained from Assessor Carol Merrill, by calling 864-2487.

The Board also paid the bills, and discussed whether Planning and Parks commissioners should receive mileage for travelling to meetings that are ultimately cancelled. The Board agreed to spend up to $100 to investigate why the township hall's back light stays on, and whether the motion detector needs to be replaced. The Board accepted a 3-year bid for snowplowing service from Pleasanton resident Steve Allen. The bid, which was the only one received, offered a price of $50 for regular plowing at the garbage transfer station and $25 per-instance plowing at the township hall. Governmental training expenses were approved for three members of the Board of Review. Expenses include $75 per person fees and course materials. Merrill said there was a sizeable amount of money in the township fire fund, and proposed spending up to $20,000 for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) for the Bear Lake Fire Department. The Board agreed to invite the Department to outline its needs.

The Board also discussed whether the township could recoup money paid to the Bear Lake Township Fire Department. The department responded to a fire in the summer, set by a man trying to rid his trees of tent worms. The man was fined by Manistee County, but it appears that no part of the paid fine was distributed to Pleasanton Township, which pays for fire department responses on a per-call basis. Babcock inquired if anything could be done, but the Board did not pursue the matter.

In commission reports, Dave Ertel reported that the Parks Commission has made progress on the shuffleboard court and has purchased recreational supplies. He also said that a grant request had been submitted, seeking funds to repair the seawall near the township park.

The Pleasanton Township Board is scheduled to meet again on Monday, January 10 at 7pm.

Pleasanton Township Planning Commission (December) - Web Update

Absent members prevented the Pleasanton Township Planning Commission from meeting at its scheduled time on Monday, December 6. The meeting was cancelled at 7:15pm, after the Commission failed to reach quorum. Only two of the five members--Bob Babcock and Bryan Kidd--were present. Chair Bob Stafford, believed to be in Florida for the winter, Kris Kranz and newly-appointed member Bob Peterson were absent.

Peterson did arrive a few minutes after the cancellation, and told the Gander that he had not known there was a meeting. Supervisor Tony Merrill, who had invited Peterson to take the post, and was on hand for the meeting, admitted that he had forgotten to tell Peterson the date of his first meeting. Zoning Administrator Rochelle Rollenhagen said she shared in the blame, saying she talked with Peterson before the meeting, but forgot to mention the upcoming meeting date.

Peterson was appointed in November to complete the final month of Jeanne Crampton's term. Crampton resigned, citing her snowbird status and resulting absence from meetings. Peterson is eligible for appointment for a full term, but his own plans could limit his future participation in Pleasanton Township government. Peterson, asked about the "for sale" sign in front of his Lakeside Avenue house, said that he's concerned about the economy and wants to recoup money from the property. Peterson says that he intends to live in either Bear Lake Township or the Village of Bear Lake. State law generally requires that members of any township board live and vote in the township.

A second seat on the Planning Commission is now in question, as Bryan Kidd's term expired in December. Reached by phone, Kidd said he won't reapply. "It's a time commitment issue," he said, and stated that he has other obligations in the evenings. Kidd had advice for his successor. "I just hope that as planning continues, the person would be relatively objective and willing to put in a lot of preparation time," he said. "There are a lot of big issues facing the township."

The Planning Commission's next regular meeting is scheduled for January 3 at 7pm.

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Industrial Wind Farms Panel Discussion

Tonight, Tuesday, December 21, there will be a panel discussion about the opportunities and concerns surrounding wind energy systems. From 6:30 to 8:30pm, consultants, Duke Energy representatives and others are scheduled to participate. The forum will be held at Benzie Central High School Auditorium (9300 Homestead Rd., Benzonia) and is hosted by the Benzie Conservation District.

Duke Energy is planning an industrial wind farm, covering an estimated 12,000 acres in Benzie and Manistee counties.