Oshtemo Township - Planning Commission - August 27, 2026 Meeting

Updated about 20 hours ago

During the Oshtemo Township Planning Commission meeting on August 27, 2026, the commission reviewed several significant projects. A proposed bed and breakfast at Seven Oaks Ranch was approved, contingent on zoning board variance for additional guest rooms. The commission denied a proposed unified care facility on N Avenue due to compatibility and traffic concerns, but approved an adult foster care home in the existing building. A discussion followed on a six-month solar energy moratorium, which was tabled to address potential loopholes. The meeting reflects the commission's ongoing efforts to balance development with community standards and environmental considerations.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:00:10)
The meeting of the Oshtemo Charter Township Planning Commission is called to order.

The chair calls the meeting of the Oshtemo Charter Township Planning Commission to order.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:00:20)
The Pledge of Allegiance is recited by the attendees.

The attendees rise and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Approval of Agenda (00:00:46)
The agenda is reviewed and approved without changes.

The agenda for the meeting is presented and reviewed. Attendees are asked if there are any changes or corrections. A motion to approve the agenda is made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Approval of Minutes (00:01:21)
The minutes from the previous meeting are approved.

The previous meeting's minutes are reviewed. A motion to approve the minutes is made, seconded, and passed unanimously.
Public Hearing on Bed and Breakfast Proposal (00:02:20)
A public hearing on a proposal for a bed and breakfast at South First Street is conducted.

A public hearing is conducted regarding a proposal for a bed and breakfast on South First Street. Jodi presents details about the proposal, including the applicant's intention to use the property for a bed and breakfast with four cabins and a residence, which requires a special exception use and variances. The hearing covers the compatibility with zoning, site plan review, impacts on the surrounding area, and compliance with bed and breakfast ordinances.
Applicant Presentation (00:14:17)
The applicant presents their case for the bed and breakfast proposal, emphasizing the personal and non-commercial nature of the project.

The applicant presents their case for the proposed bed and breakfast, emphasizing the personal nature of the property as their home and the desire to share it with family and screened guests. They clarify that the project is not intended as a large commercial operation and discuss the environmental and community considerations.
Public Comments (00:29:20)
Public comments are invited on the bed and breakfast proposal.

The public is invited to comment on the bed and breakfast proposal. A member of the public raises concerns about the number of guests and potential impacts on the area, as well as the possibility of encouraging similar developments.
Public Comments on Proposed Bed and Breakfast (00:31:05)
Residents express support and concerns regarding the proposal for a bed and breakfast with four cabins. Supporters praise the project's potential for community enrichment.

The public comment session begins with Eric Flynn, a neighbor of the property owner, expressing his support for the proposed bed and breakfast project. He describes the project as a place for reflection and relaxation, rather than a typical bed and breakfast. Another resident, Katie Schneider, agrees with the positive aspects but raises concerns about the potential for increased traffic and the implications of having multiple cabins. Questions about the use of teepees and the impact on local regulations are discussed. The public hearing portion for this issue is then closed.
Public Hearing on Unified Care Facility Proposal (00:40:49)
A proposal for a unified care facility is presented. Residents voice concerns about neighborhood character, traffic, and property values, while the applicant outlines modifications made to the plan.

The meeting continues with a public hearing on a proposal for a unified care facility on adjoining properties. The applicant presents amendments to the proposal, including changes to building size, height, and parking arrangements. Residents raise concerns about the impact on neighborhood character, increased traffic, and the facility's management. The applicant responds by emphasizing the improvements made to address previous concerns and the facility's role in providing much-needed care services. Several residents, however, express opposition to the project, citing potential negative effects on property values and the neighborhood's residential nature.
Public Comments on Care Facility Proposal (01:06:17)
Residents express concerns about the proposed care facility, focusing on safety, traffic, and neighborhood impact.

Multiple residents voiced their concerns regarding a proposed care facility at a busy intersection in Oshtemo. They highlighted issues such as safety for the residents who require severe care, the increased traffic in an already busy area, and the potential negative impact on the neighborhood's character. Some residents questioned the developer's commitment to community engagement and the adequacy of the proposal's details.
Discussion on Special Use Permit for Care Facility (01:13:00)
The commission discusses compatibility of the care facility with the neighborhood and the need for senior housing.

Commission members deliberated on the proposed care facility's compatibility with the existing residential neighborhood. Concerns were raised about the facility's design, parking arrangements, and overall impact on the neighborhood's character. Despite acknowledging the need for senior housing, some members felt the proposal did not align with the neighborhood's aesthetics and zoning requirements.
Motion to Deny Care Facility Proposal (01:20:00)
The commission votes to deny the construction of the duplex care facility due to traffic and design concerns.

A motion was made to deny the proposal for the care facility's duplex construction on the grounds of increased traffic congestion and the building's industrial appearance, which was deemed incompatible with the residential neighborhood. The motion included amendments about the lack of open space in comparison to existing residential properties.
Approval of Existing Building for Care Facility Use (01:30:00)
The commission approves the use of an existing building as an adult foster care home.

After separating the proposal into two parts, the commission approved the use of an existing building on the property for adult foster care, recognizing the community's need for such facilities despite the challenges posed by new developments.
Public Hearing on Solar Moratorium (01:33:00)
A public hearing was held on a proposed six-month moratorium on solar energy projects in the township.

The commission opened a public hearing to discuss a six-month moratorium on the construction of solar energy projects in the township. This moratorium aims to pause new applications while the township works on revising its energy system ordinance to include all renewable energy in a single section.
Discussion and Motion on Solar Moratorium (01:36:00)
The commission discusses potential amendments to the solar moratorium and decides to table it for further review.

Commission members discussed the draft ordinance for the solar moratorium, identifying potential issues such as language clarity and the inclusion of hybrid systems. They considered public comments and decided to table the ordinance for further revisions, aiming to address all identified gaps before resuming the discussion at a later date.
Public Comment (01:41:03)
Public comments were made regarding various ordinances and projects. Residents expressed concerns and provided suggestions.

Rob Morrison, an Oshtemo resident, provided comments about the ordinance and shared expertise from Philip Carrano, a compliance engineer. Morrison emphasized the need to treat batteries, wind, and solar as distinct land uses and to regulate them through separate ordinance provisions. He argued that bundling these technologies risks diluting protections for high-risk technologies like battery storage and urged the planning commission to develop separate ordinance provisions. Joe, another resident, discussed the importance of including citizen input in ordinance development and raised concerns about open burning regulations. Katie Schneider commented on recent MPSC cases and how specific demands on energy projects were handled.
Consideration of Additional Meetings (02:03:01)
The commission considered adding meetings in November and December to handle additional workload related to various projects and standards.

The commission discussed the need to add additional meetings in November and December due to the workload from progressive projects and the energy system ordinance. There was a discussion on whether the additional meetings were necessary given the meetings missed in the summer. It was decided to move the meetings to the first Thursday of each month and add a second meeting on the third Thursday to accommodate the significant workload.
Adjournment (02:03:48)
The meeting was adjourned after handling the final agenda item regarding scheduling.

The meeting was adjourned following the scheduling discussion and decisions on additional meetings.