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Planning Commission Minutes—February 28, 2019 3 <br /> <br /> <br />Mr. Ellig asked how a township can issue building permits if they do not have a zoning <br />board. Mr. Voigt said some townships have relinquished their zoning authority. <br /> <br />County Engineer Jason Benson said townships are continuously encouraged to review <br />the county’s model township zoning ordinance and to adopt and enforce zoning <br />guidelines. <br />MOTION, passed <br />Dr. Mahoney moved and Mr. Monson seconded to <br />recommend approval of the subdivision application for <br />Cornell First Subdivision to the Cass County Commission, <br />with the conditions outlined by the County Planner. Motion <br />carried. <br /> <br />6. SCHMITZ SUBDIVISION (Minor Subdivision) <br />Mr. Ellig said the public hearing on the Schmitz Subdivision application will be continued <br />until the March 28, 2019, meeting. <br /> <br />7. 2019 MEETING SCHEDULE <br />Mr. Voigt provided a memo outlining the 2019 meeting dates for the Cass County <br />Planning Commission and requested feedback. Hearing none, the current meeting <br />dates will remain in effect. <br /> <br />8. CASS COUNTY SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE <br />Draft Judicial Interpretations document <br />Mr. Voigt said he has identified multiple issues in the Cass County Subdivision <br />Ordinance, some of which demand immediate attention. Edits are needed for liability <br />purposes, to reduce redundancies, and to clarify conflicting language. After conferring <br />with members of this commission, Mr. Voigt has drafted a Judicial Interpretations <br />document for the ordinance with the goal of providing clear and transparent information <br />to citizens. The ordinance could be edited to incorporate the interpretations, or the <br />interpretations could be provided as a standalone document posted online. <br /> <br />Subdivision definition exemption requirements <br />Mr. Voigt stated that he received an inquiry about what the subdivision ordinance would <br />require to purchase a small portion of agricultural land and combine it with a small <br />agricultural lot. The subdivision ordinance specifies that a division of agricultural land <br />must be 10 acres or more to be exempt from the subdivision ordinance requirements. <br />The question was raised as to whether or not the ordinance should be amended to <br />allow an exemption for comparable situations. <br /> <br />Mr. Ellig said a variance could be granted if the spirit of the ordinance is met. Mr. Voigt <br />said a variance must be granted in tandem with a plat or certificate of survey, which can <br />cost up to $3,000. <br /> <br />Dr. Mahoney said it seems that amending the ordinance would be the least cost <br />prohibitive option for landowners. <br />