Oshtemo Township - Planning Commission

Oshtemo Township - Planning Commission - March 12, 2026 Meeting

Updated about 10 hours ago

The commission addresses the addition of battery energy storage systems to the agenda and discusses the Master Streets plan. The meeting features a public hearing where residents express concerns about zoning changes affecting their properties, the impact of energy systems on local land, and the importance of community engagement in planning decisions. The commission also considers forming an advisory committee for energy systems, prompting legal and procedural discussions. The meeting concludes with the approval of the Master Streets plan to be forwarded to the Township Board.

Chapters

Pledge of Allegiance (00:00:33)
The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance, where attendees stood and recited the pledge as a sign of respect and patriotism.

Township planning commission requested attendees to rise and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance, which was duly recited.
Agenda Review and Additions (00:01:01)
The agenda was reviewed, and an addition regarding battery energy storage systems was made under other business. The attendees agreed to the changes.

The meeting proceeded with a review of the agenda. An addition was proposed for discussing battery energy storage systems under other business. The proposal was accepted, and the agenda was confirmed as amended.
Public Comments (00:02:00)
The floor was opened for public comments on non-agenda items. Residents expressed concerns about battery energy storage systems and requested more research and community involvement.

Public comments were invited from attendees on topics not covered in the agenda. Residents voiced concerns about the proposed battery energy storage systems, urging the committee to conduct thorough research and involve the community in decision-making to ensure residents' safety and well-being.
Approval of Minutes (00:09:15)
The minutes from the previous meeting were read and approved unanimously with no corrections or additions.

Attendees were asked if they had reviewed the minutes from the last meeting. With no corrections or additions suggested, a motion to approve the minutes was made, supported, and unanimously carried.
Public Hearing on Master Streets Plan (00:09:46)
A public hearing was held on the Master Streets Plan, including a presentation on its key components and revisions based on community feedback.

The meeting included a public hearing on the Master Streets Plan. A presentation highlighted the plan's key elements, the public comments received during the review period, and the proposed revisions to enhance street connectivity and accommodate future development.
Presentation on Comprehensive Plan (00:13:00)
A detailed presentation on the Comprehensive Plan was given, covering its vision, goals, engagement process, and proposed place types for future development.

The Comprehensive Plan presentation outlined the Township's vision and goals, informed by extensive community engagement. It detailed the proposed place types for future development and discussed updates to energy systems language and other goals, emphasizing connected communities and housing needs.
Discussion on Master Streets Plan (00:27:00)
The Master Streets Plan was discussed, focusing on its transportation network, safety concerns, and alignment with land use plans. Revisions based on public input were highlighted.

The discussion on the Master Streets Plan addressed the integration of transportation and land use planning to improve safety and connectivity. Key changes based on public feedback were noted, including modifications to street classifications and non-motorized routes to better align with community needs and future growth.
Welcome and Introduction (00:32:22)
The meeting begins with a discussion on decision-making and alignment with federal highway safety guidelines.

The meeting commences with a focus on decision-making processes and how the Township aligns its hotspots with federal highway safety countermeasures to improve safety benefits.
Street Design and Safety Measures (00:32:27)
Discussion on street design examples and collaboration with MDOT for improving public and private streets with safety countermeasures.

The document outlines countermeasures for street safety, detailing examples of where pedestrian beacons and neighborhood connectors should be implemented. The plan involves collaboration with MDOT for street reconstruction and provides justification for the Township's requests to MDOT.
Contextual Guidance for Engineers (00:35:00)
Federal agencies provide new guidance for engineers, emphasizing context-specific design and expanding land use categories.

The meeting highlights new guidance from federal agencies that broadens land use categories from three to six, emphasizing the importance of context in urban planning and street design.
Project Prioritization Criteria (00:36:00)
Projects are prioritized based on connectivity, accessibility, safety, feasibility, and funding to ensure methodical infrastructure development.

The Township discusses prioritizing infrastructure projects based on criteria such as connectivity, accessibility, safety, feasibility, and funding, aiming to implement projects methodically and avoid focusing solely on high-profile or politically influenced projects.
Master Plan and Street Grids (00:36:43)
The master plan aligns place types with street types, promoting connectivity and reducing traffic concentration on single streets.

The master plan aims to establish street grids to enhance connectivity and safety, reducing traffic concentration on individual streets and preventing the need for larger roads, thus supporting the Township's goal of maintaining a walkable environment.
Public Hearing on Comprehensive Plan (00:43:17)
Public hearing opens for comments on the Township's comprehensive plan, with concerns about property zoning and development impacts.

The public hearing on the comprehensive plan addresses concerns from residents and business owners regarding zoning changes and their impact on property use and values, particularly along the Ninth Street corridor and adjacent to commercial areas like Walmart.
Comments on Industrial Zone Expansion (00:50:00)
Discussion on the expansion of industrial zones, focusing on land use changes and potential impacts on schools and residential areas.

Comments from the public address concerns about the expansion of industrial zones near schools and the potential for developing large data centers. The plan's focus on leveraging existing infrastructure and interchanges for industrial use is explained.
Final Remarks and Plan Review Schedule (00:55:09)
Final remarks emphasize the need for periodic review of the comprehensive plan to adapt to changing conditions and input.

The meeting concludes with final remarks on the comprehensive plan, acknowledging that it is a roadmap subject to change as conditions and community input evolve. A schedule for regular reviews and updates is suggested to keep the plan relevant.
Discussion on Township Plan Recommendation (01:03:26)
The board discussed recommending the Township Plan for approval with or without changes based on feedback from today.

The board debated whether to recommend the Township Plan to the Township board for adoption. There were questions about if changes should be incorporated based on today's feedback. The plan is not set in stone and can be adjusted based on property owner inputs. It was advised not to recommend with proposed changes without evaluation.
Public Comment (01:07:31)
The floor was opened for public comments but no attendees stepped forward to speak.

The meeting provided an opportunity for public comments on any of the topics discussed. However, no members of the public came forward to comment during this session.
Other Updates and New Business (01:08:28)
Trustee Chapman proposed forming an energy advisory committee to handle complex topics on energy systems.

Trustee Chapman suggested creating an energy advisory committee to focus on energy systems, suggesting it include citizens, planning commission members, and other relevant members. The proposal was met with caution by legal counsel, who advised against moving forward without proper planning and consultation.
Discussion on Mixed Use Ordinance (01:16:09)
The board discussed reviewing the mixed use ordinance to ensure it aligns with township vision.

The board considered revisiting the mixed use ordinance due to concerns that current developments may not align with the township's vision for mixed use areas. Suggestions were made to provide more guidance to developers on what constitutes mixed use.
Further Public Comment (01:28:55)
Public comments were made regarding the energy advisory committee proposal and the need for transparency.

Members of the public expressed their views on the proposal for an energy advisory committee, emphasizing that this was not a rushed decision and that it had been discussed multiple times. There was a call for transparency and proper handling of complex energy-related issues to protect township residents.