Oshtemo Township - Planning Commission - January 8, 2026 Meeting

Updated about 20 hours ago

The Oshtemo Township Planning Commission Meeting of January 8, 2026 addressed ongoing community concerns regarding land use and zoning regulations. The Planning Director announced upcoming educational initiatives with experts from the MPSC, Eagle, and the Graham Institute of Sustainability to address land use and battery chemistry issues. The committee also reviewed zoning ordinance amendments, focusing on lighting requirements for safety and security, particularly in commercial and multifamily residential areas. The meeting included discussions on accommodating new indoor recreational facilities in existing buildings and adjusting definitions to facilitate small business operations. These changes are part of a broader effort to ensure the township's zoning policies support current and future community needs.

Chapters

Welcome (00:00:07)
The meeting began with a welcome address and introduction.

Good evening and welcome to the planning commission meeting. The chair welcomed everyone present and introduced the meeting's purpose.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:00:15)
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by attendees.

The attendees were invited to join in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Approval of Agenda (00:00:41)
The agenda was reviewed, with changes made to remove item four and add an announcement.

The agenda was presented for approval. Changes included removing the election of officers due to an incomplete board and adding an announcement by the planning director.
Public Comment (00:02:25)
Public comments were opened, with concerns about transparency and process in planning matters raised.

Several residents expressed concerns regarding the planning process, transparency, and specific projects. Issues about the energy ordinance draft, information sharing, and previous planning department actions were discussed.
Approval of Minutes (00:08:04)
The minutes from a previous meeting were approved without corrections.

The minutes from the prior meeting were presented. A motion to approve was made and seconded, with unanimous support.
Miscellaneous Zoning Ordinance Amendments (00:08:28)
Discussion on various amendments to zoning ordinances aimed at simplifying processes and addressing community needs.

Staff presented several proposed amendments to the zoning ordinances, focusing on simplifying processes for businesses and addressing lighting and safety concerns in residential and commercial areas.
Lighting Ordinance Amendments (00:27:54)
Proposed amendments to the lighting ordinances were discussed to improve safety and compliance.

Amendments to the lighting ordinances were introduced to address safety concerns in multifamily and commercial areas. The discussion included increasing allowed lighting levels and ensuring consistent application across properties.
Discussion on Lighting Ordinance (00:33:00)
Discussion on the lighting ordinance involving the installation and regulation of streetlights for security and dark sky compliance.

The meeting discussed regulations concerning the installation of streetlights, focusing on the balance between providing adequate lighting for security and maintaining dark sky compliance. Concerns about enforcement, the height of light poles, and flexibility in lighting requirements for small businesses were highlighted. There was a debate on the necessity of dimming lights during non-business hours and how it aligns with security recommendations from the Sheriff's department.
Address Posting Ordinance (00:42:28)
Consideration of ordinance requiring buildings to have addresses posted, with exceptions for certain residential units.

The ordinance requiring buildings to have their address posted was discussed, with exceptions noted for single-family homes, duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, and accessory dwelling units. Concerns were raised about the importance of visible addresses for emergency services, especially in rural areas where homes are set back from the road. The need for reflective numbering on mailboxes or curbs was emphasized for safety.
Communication Towers Ordinance (00:52:00)
Review of the ordinance for the approval process of communication towers, suggesting administrative approval instead of special exceptions.

A review of the ordinance related to the approval process for communication towers was conducted. It was suggested that communication towers could be approved administratively rather than through the special exception use process to streamline the procedure. This change aims to clarify when a communication tower requires special use versus administrative approval.
Public Hearing Scheduling (00:54:00)
Scheduling of a public hearing to gather community input on proposed ordinance changes, with no specific date set yet.

The next steps in the ordinance review process were discussed, focusing on moving towards a public hearing to gather community input. It was decided that the public hearing would be scheduled at the next available work session, with a date to be determined later. The importance of community feedback and expert input in shaping the ordinances was emphasized.
Annual Report Review (01:01:00)
Review and acceptance of the annual report detailing the year's activities and accomplishments.

The annual report was reviewed, highlighting the accomplishments and activities of the past year. It was noted that the report provides a comprehensive overview of the work done and helps the community understand the developments and changes made. The report will be made available on the Township's website for public access.