Oshtemo Township - Planning Commission

Oshtemo Township - Planning Commission - May 28, 2026 Meeting

Updated 10 days ago

The Commission considers rezoning requests for residential development from the Michigan Housing Partnership and public comments on traffic concerns and battery energy storage systems. The meeting includes a presentation on rezoning a parcel on Parkview Avenue from R5 to R4 for a proposed residential project. Community members express concerns about traffic and infrastructure impact due to potential new developments.

Chapters

Welcome (00:00:27)
The meeting commenced at six o'clock with a welcome to all attendees.

The meeting clerk announced the start of the meeting at six o'clock, welcoming all attendees to the government meeting.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:00:37)
Attendees were invited to rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

The clerk asked everyone to rise and join in citing the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, concluding with the phrase 'with liberty and justice for all.'
Approval of Agenda (00:01:04)
The agenda for the meeting was reviewed and approved without any additions or corrections.

The published agenda for the meeting was presented. Attendees were asked if they had any additions or corrections. A motion to approve the agenda as presented was made, seconded, and approved unanimously by voice vote.
Approval of Minutes (00:01:56)
The minutes from the previous meeting were approved after review.

The clerk presented the minutes packet from the previous meeting for review. No additions or corrections were noted. A motion to approve the minutes was made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Public Comments on Non-Agenda Items (00:02:32)
Residents expressed concerns about local zoning, traffic, and energy storage systems.

The floor was opened for public comments on non-agenda items. John Newman Heis spoke about zoning and business issues on South Sixth Street. Rob Morrison raised concerns about battery energy storage systems and the need for expert input. Tanita Deb urged the commission to research battery energy systems further, emphasizing the potential risks and the importance of making informed decisions.
Public Hearing on Michigan Housing Partnership (00:13:32)
A public hearing was held for a rezoning request by Michigan Housing Partnership.

The Michigan Housing Partnership LLC proposed to rezone a portion of property on Parkview Avenue to R-4 residential district. The presentation covered zoning consistency, infrastructure, and potential impacts on surrounding areas. Mike West from Michigan Housing Partnership discussed plans for residential development. Public comments included concerns about traffic and infrastructure adequacy.
Discussion on Site Plan and Development Concerns (00:32:57)
The meeting discussed concerns regarding site plans, entrances, and driveways for a proposed development. Warehouses and secondary access were addressed.

During the meeting, several concerns were raised about the site plan for a proposed development. The discussion focused on the need to address entrances, driveways, and roads. There were comments about potential warehouses on the property and the need for a secondary access, which would be handled during the site plan review. The applicant's presentation was referenced, and it was emphasized that these issues would be addressed to meet approval criteria.
Zoning and Master Comprehensive Plan Clarification (00:34:47)
Clarification was provided on the zoning and master comprehensive plan, particularly regarding mixed-use designations and R4 district allowances.

Questions were raised about the designation of mixed-use in the master comprehensive plan and how it relates to the R4 district. It was clarified that the R4 district allows for a variety of uses including single-family homes, duplexes, and planned unit developments as a special exception. The confusion between zoning text and land use plans was addressed, and it was noted that there are different allowances under R4 and R5 zoning.
Discussion on Fountain Springs and Acreage Use (00:36:00)
The discussion focused on the use of acreage at Fountain Springs and its designation for irrigation or commercial use.

The meeting addressed questions about the intention for an acre of land currently used for irrigation at Fountain Springs. It was clarified that the land is intended for commercial use as an irrigation pump house. The adjacent owner's preference not to include the acre in rezoning was noted. The discussion emphasized the importance of maintaining commercial use for irrigation purposes.
Rezoning Motion and Concerns (00:38:02)
A motion was made to rezone a parcel from R5 to R4, addressing concerns about housing affordability and traffic issues.

The board discussed a motion to rezone a parcel from R5 to R4 with a portion remaining as local business. Concerns about losing affordable housing options were raised, but it was noted that other zones could accommodate lower cost housing. The motion highlighted the need to alleviate traffic issues and support diverse housing options. The recommendation was made to the Township board for approval.
Public Comment and Closing Remarks (00:41:00)
The meeting opened for public comments on the agenda items, but no additional comments were made.

After the main discussions, the meeting was opened for public comments regarding the agenda items discussed. Attendees were given four minutes to address any issues, but no comments were brought forth. The meeting concluded with a brief discussion on updates and future agenda items.