Township still reviewing zoning changes
Dundee Township Board members have been reviewing proposed zoning ordinance changes since the first official reading of those changes on January 20.

The board decided to ask the township attorney to review these changes again, and to be present at the next board meeting on Tuesday, March 23. That meeting will mark nine weeks since the first reading of the changes. At every meeting since then, the board has discussed at length and with much repetition, concerns by some residents about minute wording changes in the ordinance.

One of the proposed changes would allow a resident to park a semi-truck tractor only (which he owns), no trailer, on his property, provided he can meet specific setback requirements, or install screening landscaping. There are other provisions as well.

Most of the concerns have originated from a resident, Vern Guindon, who does not want any semi-truck tractors or other large equipment parked on any residential lots. He has been saying that parking even one truck tractor would constitute a “truck terminal.”

Ms. Uhl said Mr. Purdy explained the parking of a single semi tractor at an owner’s residence is an “accessory use.” She said therefore there is no contradiction in the zoning ordinance. The township attorney was also asked to give an opinion, and said there was no contradiction.

When this wording was clarified, Mr. Guindon said allowing a semi-truck tractor on a residential lot would reduce surrounding property values. He brought a real estate agent to the Tuesday, March 9 meeting to give his opinion on that.

Mrs. Smith, who lives next door to the York Nursery trucking terminal on M-50, said her property values were reduced by $30,000 by the existence of the truck terminal.

Even though the new zoning ordinance would allow owners to park a semi tractor at their residential lot, not all truck drivers were happy.

Marshall Venable, a resident and truck driver, said he should be allowed to park his trailer at his lot, also. He said the township was taking away personal property rights.

Mrs. Uhl told him that people who are doing things right now will be grandfathered in. Since he has been parking his tractor and trailer at his house, he will be allowed to do so in the future.

Mr. Guindon then said that the ordinance does not say what the township thinks it says. He would not be specific. He said the township could have its attorney call his attorney for an explanation.
“You’re talking to me in code,” said Mrs. Uhl to Mr. Guindon. “Now that I see the word ‘other’ in there, as pointed out by Clerk Lupu, I don’t think it’s a problem.
“Kerry [Bondy, the township attorney] has reviewed it, the Township Planning Commission and County Planning Commission have not shared your concerns,” said Mrs. Uhl. “This is a difference in legal opinion.”

Mrs. Uhl then suggested the board add a “special conditions” clause in the ordinance, but this brought a lively discussion to the fore by people concerned that it could be used to discriminate against people.

“How much is this costing us?” asked Deputy Supervisor Diane Ruehs. “In attorney fees and fees from the planners?

Clerk Tira Lupu said the township has not yet received a bill from the planner, but that it costs at least $50 each time the attorney is called on the matter. This does not include the cost of having the attorney physically attend a meeting.

“How long are we going to discuss this? How long?” asked Ms. Ruehs.

Mr. Guindon said he feels the township should actively enforce all the ordinances, and not just when a citizen makes a complaint. He said he could document over 60 unlicensed vehicles in the township, and the attorney has sent out only three letters to property owners.

“If it is not a problem for the people who live nearby, and not a huge or extreme violation, we try to stay with the complaints by the residents. Few people are 100 percent in compliance,” said Mrs. Uhl.

Resident Keith Pilbeam asked if the zoning ordinance takes into consideration what type of road the person lives on, in allowing heavy equipment to be located there.

It is not listed as a condition. Resident Wayne Jaworski said it should not be added, because that would be discriminatory.

“We could ask Kerry [Bondy, township attorney] about the roads, and ask if we could add ‘special conditions’ for a specific situation,” said Mrs. Uhl.

In addition, Township Supervisor Joanna Uhl reported that the board had its professional planner Jeff Purdy look into the definition of “farm” in the proposed changes after the last meeting. The definition of “farm” was changed, and the definition of “livestock” was amended to include “game birds.” Game preserves were removed from the list of activities requiring special approval in an agricultural district.

Treasurer Janet Goetz said she would like Ms. Bondy to attend the next meeting, and put off making a decision about any part of the zoning ordinance changes until the next meeting on March 23. At that time, Trustee John Williams, who was absent at the March 9 meeting, also is expected to be present.

In other business, the township approved Monroe County Road Commission contracts, including Gradall work for $6,014; work on Kent between Wilcox and Dennison at $47,047 and work on Meanwell Road, estimated at $279,751. The township would use $55,000 of its self-help money for the Meanwell Road project. The board also approved the mowing contract for $17,500.

The special assessment roll was approved for the Irish-Meanwell water district. The public hearing was held March 4. Estimated cost is $15,511 per parcel to run the water line.

The board voted to spend no more than $3,000 to replace a faulty furnace in the township hall, which is leaking carbon monoxide. There are five furnaces in the building. Estimates were to be sought.

The county will be conducting emergency siren tests on the last Wednesday of each month at 10 a.m.

Delinquent tax bills have been forwarded to the county. If residents want to pay those bills, they must go to the county to so.

Cemetery clean-up has started. New things are not permitted to be added to plots until April 1.
The Township Board considered spending $250 on printing or other purchases for the Mayfly Music Festival for the Dundee Area Business Association. No action was taken.