Oshtemo Township - June 25, 2026 Oshtemo Township Planning Commission

Updated about 4 hours ago

The June 25, 2026 Oshtemo Township Planning Commission meeting opened with a public hearing regarding an application to construct a Land Rover dealership, where the commission reviews site plans and special use requests. Concerns from neighboring residents about the dealership's impact are voiced. The commission also discusses updates to the zoning ordinance, focusing on the consolidation of zoning districts and the introduction of diverse housing types to address community growth and housing demands. Public comments highlight concerns about short-term rentals, housing density, and environmental protection, emphasizing the need for comprehensive planning and community engagement. The commission acknowledges the ongoing work to update environmental and energy ordinances to better protect community resources. These discussions are part of a broader effort to modernize and implement the comprehensive plan for the township's future development.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:00:24)
The meeting of the Archello Township Planning Commission was officially called to order at 6:00 PM.

The chairperson announced the start of the meeting, calling to order the session of the Archello Township Planning Commission at precisely six o'clock.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:00:33)
Attendees stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America.

Following the call to order, attendees were invited to stand and participate in the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, honoring the nation and its principles of liberty and justice for all.
Approval of Agenda (00:01:07)
The agenda was reviewed and approved with no changes or deletions required.

The chairperson asked if all members had reviewed the agenda and if there were any changes or deletions needed. With none proposed, a motion was made to approve the agenda as published, which was carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes (00:01:38)
The minutes from the previous meeting were reviewed and approved without amendments.

The minutes from the last meeting were presented for approval. Attendees were asked if they had any changes or corrections. With no objections or amendments, the minutes were adopted as prepared following a motion and unanimous agreement.
Public Hearing: Land Rover Dealership (00:02:40)
A public hearing was held regarding the site plan and special use approval for a Land Rover dealership.

The meeting included a public hearing on a request for site plan and special use approval for a Land Rover dealership. The site, located on Stadium Drive, was discussed in terms of zoning compliance, landscaping, building design, and public infrastructure. Planning staff provided a detailed presentation on the proposal, covering the adherence to zoning ordinances and the impact assessment.
Applicant Presentation (00:11:53)
The applicant presented additional details about the Land Rover dealership project.

Lori Davis from Hurley and Stewart, along with Jeff De Noyer, presented the project details for the Land Rover dealership. They discussed site planning, building design, manufacturer requirements, and the long-term planning involved in the project. The dealership will offer a boutique feel and is expected to meet all township and manufacturer standards.
Public Comment (00:16:35)
Public comments were received, including opposition from an adjacent property owner.

During the public comment section, an adjacent property owner expressed strong opposition to the dealership, citing concerns about environmental impact, property values, and previous promises made about the site. Other comments were received, and the public comment period was formally closed after all voices were heard.
Approval of Dealership Proposal (00:21:07)
The proposal for the Land Rover dealership was discussed and approved by the Planning Commission.

The Planning Commission discussed the dealership proposal, addressing concerns raised during the public comment. After clarifications and ensuring compliance with environmental and zoning requirements, a motion was made to approve the dealership proposal. The motion was passed with a unanimous vote.
Zoning Ordinance Update (00:24:42)
A work session was held on updating the zoning ordinance to align with the comprehensive plan.

The commission reviewed proposed updates to the zoning ordinance aimed at modernizing and consolidating zoning districts. Jason Ball from Progressive Companies presented a plan to simplify zoning, reduce inconsistencies, and align with the comprehensive plan. The session focused on technical and administrative changes, with further discussions planned for future meetings.
Discussion of Drake Homestead Park and Mapping Clarifications (00:36:28)
The committee discussed the Drake Homestead Park, clarifying map colors and overlays for better understanding of designated areas.

The discussion centered around clarifying the mapping of Drake Homestead Park. It was noted that the blue color overlay on the map was confusing, and there was a need to revise it to show only the blue outline for neighborhood mixed use. The team agreed to remove the middle portion that was incorrectly filled in with blue for clarity.
Zoning Districts and Industrial Use Concerns (00:38:01)
Concerns were raised about the zoning districts for industrial use, including the potential for spot zoning and the consistency with the township's plan.

The session involved a detailed discussion about the zoning districts for industrial use. There were questions about where heavier industrial uses would fall and the potential for spot zoning. The explanation centered around ensuring that zoning was consistent with the township's plan, which would prevent spot zoning. The discussion highlighted the importance of having a plan that designates areas for industrial development, making sure any new development aligns with this plan.
Managing Commercial Use in Residential Areas (00:41:02)
The management of commercial businesses within residential areas was addressed, focusing on zoning and limiting expansion.

The conversation focused on how to manage existing commercial businesses in residential areas without allowing for expansion. The goal is to maintain the current zoning that permits commercial use but prevents these businesses from expanding within the residential area. This approach was intended to balance the presence of commercial activity with the residential nature of the area.
Parks and Preservation Areas Mapping (00:43:57)
The committee discussed the mapping of parks and preservation areas, including both Township and privately held lands.

The panel reviewed how parks and preservation areas are represented on the map. It was noted that both Township parks and privately held preservation areas, like those managed by the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, are marked. However, there was uncertainty about the completeness of this representation, particularly whether all private preservation areas were included.
Comprehensive Plan and Housing Type Discussions (00:45:00)
A comprehensive plan for neighborhood residential development was discussed, focusing on diverse housing types to meet community needs.

The discussion revolved around the comprehensive plan aimed at developing walkable, urban, and suburban residential areas with a diverse spread of housing types. This involves moving beyond traditional single-family homes and large apartment complexes to include more middle housing options such as townhomes, duplexes, and cottage courts. The goal is to fill the gap in housing types to accommodate changing household compositions and preferences.
Housing Demand and Zoning Recommendations (00:48:01)
Recommendations were made to simplify development conditions for multifamily housing, addressing the growing demand and changing demographics.

The session covered the need to simplify development conditions for multifamily and smaller unit dwellings, allowing for townhomes and two-family residences in consolidated R1 and R2 areas. This is in response to data indicating a growing demand for diverse housing types that better match the changing demographics and household compositions in the area. It is part of an effort to ensure residents have access to housing that fits their needs throughout different life stages.
Discussion on High-Level Zoning Considerations (01:06:22)
The discussion began with a focus on high-level zoning strategies to allow more housing uses, moving towards details like setbacks for different housing types.

The meeting began with a discussion on starting at a high level to understand zoning strategies and then moving to details. It focused on allowing more housing uses and discussing specifics like setbacks for townhouses and single-family homes. The aim is to understand how different housing types can be integrated into neighborhoods.
Discussion on Housing Types and Integrations (01:09:01)
The discussion covered the integration of various housing types such as townhouses and quadplexes, considering neighborhood compatibility.

The discussion covered the integration of different housing types, including townhomes and quadplexes, into neighborhoods. The focus was on understanding how these housing types fit within neighborhood residential areas and the conditions required for their integration. The potential challenges and opportunities of incorporating these housing types were also explored.
Considerations for Cottage Courts (01:14:00)
The conversation turned to cottage courts, exploring their potential as a housing option and the complexities of zoning and ownership.

The discussion moved to cottage courts, exploring them as a potential housing option. It was noted that cottage courts can be flexible in design but present zoning challenges due to common ownership and shared open spaces. The conversation included the potential benefits and complexities of allowing cottage courts in neighborhood residential areas.
Simplification of Event Regulations (01:20:00)
Simplifying regulations for temporary events was discussed, aiming to streamline the process and focus on key aspects like mobile food vendors.

The meeting addressed the simplification of regulations for temporary events. The idea is to consolidate various event types based on duration into a single set of regulations, focusing on key aspects like mobile food vendors. The aim is to streamline the process and make it easier to manage different types of events.
Drive-Through and Carryout Restaurants (01:22:00)
The discussion addressed establishing standards for restaurant drive-throughs, differentiating them from carryout or non-restaurant drive-throughs.

The meeting discussed establishing standards for restaurant drive-throughs, differentiating them from carryout and non-restaurant drive-throughs. The focus was on the need for special land use permits for drive-throughs to address potential traffic issues and neighborhood impacts.
Short-Term Rentals and Airbnb Regulation (01:24:00)
The board discussed potential regulations for short-term rentals like Airbnb, considering their impact on housing supply.

The discussion turned to regulating short-term rentals like Airbnb, examining their impact on housing supply and affordability. The board considered whether to allow these rentals across residential areas or restrict them to mixed-use or commercial districts. The potential for setting regulations to manage their growth was also discussed.
Public Comment Period (01:27:00)
Public comments were invited, with concerns raised about housing density, zoning impacts, and the integration of new housing types.

During the public comment period, citizens raised concerns about housing density, the impact of zoning changes, and the integration of new housing types into existing neighborhoods. Issues such as parking, property maintenance, and the potential for increased rental properties were discussed.
Discussion on Zoning and Environmental Protection Ordinances (01:38:44)
The commissioners discussed ongoing projects related to zoning and environmental protection ordinances, including efforts to consolidate and enhance existing regulations.

The commissioners engaged in a detailed discussion about several ongoing projects related to zoning and environmental protection ordinances. They highlighted the work with Progressive, which is expected to take up to six months, and efforts to consolidate environmental protection language from multiple sections into a single article in the general ordinance. This includes stormwater management, groundwater and wellhead protection, natural features, clear cutting, and soil erosion control. The aim is to simplify and strengthen these regulations, ensuring that wellhead protection standards apply across the township. The projects are ongoing, with finalization and consultation with experts, particularly regarding energy system language, to ensure comprehensive and exemplary ordinance drafts for circulation.
Adjournment (01:42:49)
The meeting was declared closed by the chairperson.

At the conclusion of the discussions, the chairperson formally declared the meeting closed and thanked everyone for attending.