Comstock Charter Township - Planning Commission - January 22, 2026 Comstock Township Planning Commission

Updated about 13 hours ago

The Planning Commission began by electing Amber Lawrence as the new chairperson, Larry Nichols as vice-chair, and Jimmy Criteser as secretary. The commission discussed reviewing the Planned Unit Development (PUD) ordinance to enhance flexibility for developers. Concerns about the current landscaping requirements being too stringent were raised, and the need to possibly revise these rules was noted. The commission also debated the implications of potential data centers in the township, considering a moratorium to study their impact. The idea of revisiting the master plan was suggested due to rapid changes in land use and community needs. The meeting was aimed at addressing these pressing issues to guide future development in the township.

Chapters

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance (00:01:19)
The meeting was called to order at 6 o'clock and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

The Charter Township of Comstock planning commission meeting was officially called to order, and attendees were asked to join in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Election of Officers (00:01:52)
Officers for the year were elected, with Amber Lawrence as chairman, Larry Nichols as vice-chair, and Jimmy Crisler as secretary.

The planning commission held elections for officers for the upcoming year. Amber Lawrence was proposed and accepted the nomination for chairman. Larry Nichols was nominated and accepted as vice-chair, and Jimmy Crisler was nominated and accepted as secretary. Roll call votes were conducted for each position, and the motions were passed unanimously.
Approval of Agenda (00:04:34)
The agenda for the meeting was approved without any modifications.

A motion was made to approve the agenda for the meeting. Commissioner Wro moved to approve, supported by Commissioner Sherwood. A voice vote was conducted, and the motion to approve the agenda passed unanimously.
Public Comments (00:05:12)
The floor was opened for public comments, but there were no participants.

The chair opened the floor for citizen comments, allowing each citizen up to three minutes to speak. No citizens came forward to make comments, so the meeting proceeded to the next agenda item.
Discussion on Amendments and PUD Ordinance (00:05:56)
The commission discussed potential amendments to the PUD ordinance, focusing on flexibility and creativity in development.

A discussion was held regarding potential amendments to the PUD ordinance. The need for flexibility in the ordinance to allow for creative development solutions was emphasized. Comparisons with other communities' ordinances were considered, and the importance of allowing developers the opportunity for innovative projects was highlighted. The current ordinance was deemed too restrictive, and the commission agreed to consider revisions.
Landscaping Ordinance Discussion (00:16:36)
The commission discussed the landscaping ordinance, considering scaling back requirements to avoid overplanting.

The commission addressed the landscaping ordinance, discussing the need to reduce the number of required trees and shrubs to prevent overplanting. Concerns about mature tree size and the impact on infrastructure, such as power lines, were raised. The aim is to strike a balance between aesthetic requirements and practical considerations to make the ordinance more developer-friendly.
Discussion on Data Centers and Potential Moratorium (00:22:00)
The commission discussed the need to address data centers in the ordinance and considered a moratorium to study the issue.

The planning commission discussed the potential impact of data centers on the community and the need to address them in the ordinance. Concerns about power usage, noise, and exclusionary zoning were raised. The commission considered the possibility of recommending a moratorium to allow time for study and development of appropriate regulations. The need for due diligence and examination of other communities' approaches was emphasized.
Discussion on Moratorium and Ordinance Review (00:31:22)
Discussion on potential moratorium on development and review of current ordinances to ensure appropriate zoning and size limits.

The meeting included a detailed discussion on whether to impose a moratorium on certain types of developments. There was concern about proceeding without proper information and the need to review existing ordinances to determine what is currently allowed. The possibility of zoning areas that permit warehouses was considered, and it was agreed that a review of the ordinances by the township attorney and planning staff would be prudent.
Nonconforming Lots and Accessory Buildings (00:33:44)
Consideration of allowing accessory buildings on nonconforming lots without houses, with concerns about potential proliferation of such structures.

The discussion moved to the issue of nonconforming lots in residential areas (R-1A) and the restrictions on placing accessory buildings without a primary residence. Commissioners debated the pros and cons of allowing such structures, citing examples of existing accessory buildings and the potential for abuse. The need to balance property rights with community aesthetics and regulations was emphasized.
Master Plan Review (00:39:32)
Proposal to revisit the township's master plan to address recent changes and future developments with community involvement.

The commissioners discussed the need to review and possibly update the township's master plan in light of recent development trends and future projects such as data centers and energy storage facilities. The idea of engaging the community in a comprehensive review process was supported, recognizing the importance of aligning land use planning with current and anticipated changes. The financial and logistical aspects of conducting a full-scale master plan review were also considered.