Final Minutes
Reading Township Planning Commission
Special Meeting
May 21, 2012 7:00 PM
Meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM by Planning Commission Chairman, Greg Green with
Commissioners Eric Girdham, Ron Parker and Vicki Hostetter in attendance.
Also present, and who chose to sign in, were Graham Furlong, Dan Ettinger, Justine Galloway, James
Galloway, Dena Berger, Lou Burke, Sharon Burke, Carol King, Adam and Claudia Mesarosh, Susan
Willmont, Buddy Hagaman, Richard Tuszynski, Mike Kyser, Al and Kathy Mikolajczyk, John and
Bonnie Lewis, Martha Davenport, Paul Davenport, Rob Wholf, Max Smith, Tom Galloway, Doug
Hicks, J. Proud?, Marge Seely, Lesslie Keeling, Steve Wiler, Duane Mitchell, Leslie Tonnies, Kathie
Rabaut, Walter Zinser, Liliane Dockett, Richard Dockett, Marie Mullikin, Russell Rutz, Jerry Britton,
Jared Seager, Phyllis Newell, Janice Garczynski, Lee Wellington, John and Donna Abbey, Bob Steele,
Frank Oliver, Susan Denison, Max Balcom, Ron Lemle, Dave Guertin, Mary Ann Guertin, Terry
Russell, Jon Burrell, Harold Farril, Vern Welch, David Burger, Karen Scugoza, Bob and Julie
Schindler, D.B. Mc Clellan, Dennis Romanoski, Joyce Romanoski, Jim Tonnies, Al Mikolajczyk, Pete
Ronan, Linda Piper, Vern Piper, Lori Thayer, Rusty Thayer, Rita and Richard Mockensturm, Connie
Schwabero, Linda Brewster, Robert Brady, Dean Marsh, Chris Claybaugh, Larry Richards, Chuck
Kinter, Nancy Kinter, David Lemmon, Patrick Stewart, Dave Frobel, Josh Van Camp, Zane Hubbard,
Joyce Welch, Bonnie Thompson, Roger and Bev Messenger, Andrew Barnhart, Renay Mantecon,
Mike Kuhl, Jim Riddle, Ollie Cole, Doug and Linda Small, Mark Schauer, Lynn Coleman, Mike
Hostetter, Don Tift, Emma Jean Berrx, Roy Bodinus, Jeff Creel, Carol Marsh, Karen Wiler, Weston
Wiler, Robin Creel, Roger Travis, Mary Cole, Jan Hill, Mary Hill.
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag was recited.
There was a motion by Commissioner Hostetter and supported by Commission Girdham to approve the
regular meeting minutes from April 16, 2012, as submitted. Motion passed 4-0.
Public Comments:
Vern Welch – Spoke about the difference between 40 and 45 Dba that is twice the amount of sound
pressure. The sighting requirement of the wind turbines in Germany is one mile apart. Discussed the
repetitive swishing and thumping of the turbine blades.
Gretchen Oberdick – Insight and history of developing the Reading Wind Turbine Ordinance. Safety,
health and welfare was the most importance for Reading residents. For two years the Planning
Commission asked Duke for information and they did not supply information. Thinks Ordinance is
good.
Don Tift – Spoke in favor of the wind turbine project and thinks the turbines look pretty nice.
Lynn Coleman – Spoke on behalf of union construction workers and Michigan Laborers' Training
Institute.
Jim Holdgreve – Optometrist spoke about the negative side effects (stress) of the wind turbines.
Shadowing (CFF) it effects general tranquility. CFF creates vision stress and visual disturbance.
Flickering never stops until there is no light and we all respond to it in some way. Distressed about the
rift in the community. Do your research. Wind turbines need to be properly placed. Property values
will go down.
John Abbey – Spoke about problems the wind turbines create. Mentioned residents from other
communities that are having problems with noise, sleep disturbance and property values and gave
examples. Challenged Duke to put it in writing to the community of Reading that there are no health
problems or lower your property values.
Michael Pool – Local laborer speaking on behalf of having local jobs
Graham Furlong – Duke Representative-Sorry project is causing a division in the township. Feels
their changes are fair and satisfactory. Feels the Wind Ordinance is to strict. Compromise on “may”
instead of “shall” and clarify sound measured at the property line (35dba ) not the dwelling on the
western edge of the buffer zone bordering the lakes and outer edge of Round Lake. Wind turbines are
clean renewable energy and will bring benefits to the community.
Lee Wellington - Read in the paper that Consumer Powers is going to charge consumers more money
for electricity because of the wind turbines...Why, when we aren't going to use the electricity. The
wind turbines will drive the animals away and this area is a hunting area.
Dave Guertin – Reading Township has a good Wind Ordinance after a two year study. Stated the
numerous changes Duke wants to make their project more economical viable. Feels these changes
comprises the health, safety and welfare of the residents of reading Township.
Susan Denison – Spoke in favor of the Wind Turbines. Mentioned many of the residents living in the
township are part-time residents. Sees much economical benefit for Duke to do this project. She
wasn't strong armed by Duke.
Ryan Kurtz – Spoke in favor of the project for local construction jobs
Tom Burke – Wish differences could be put aside. Decibel levels should be changed to Dukes request
and wants Planning Commissioners to make a decision one way or another.
Jeff Creel – Believes that Consumer Powers is charging more for this project is a misnomer. There will
be mandates on green energy usage and jobs. Sad to see kids leave Reading and not come back
because of lack of jobs.
Nancy Doreen - Everyone has an opinion. Some people can't stand the swish noise and some have the
wind turbines because they need the money. Wind Ordinance is good so why change its now.
Corey Burk – Grew up in Reading. Wants a decision made and supports wind turbines.
Bryan Kerspilo - Undesirable not to have a map with the location of the turbines and this project is
definitely about the money. Is it enough money at the end of the day for what they are, what they will
be and what they bring to the community?
Dave Lemmon – Notice the ethanol plant which is half built and where is the bean plant? This land is
on loan from our children. Were is all the millions of dollars the country has spent. We need to watch
the tax revenues or we are selling our childrens' future.
Commissioner Comments: None
Reports: No Report
Unfinished Business: Proposed text amendments of the Reading Township Zoning Ordinance Application Process for Conditional Use Permits. The Planning Commission has received he latest
draft of the proposed amendments from the Spicer Group. We will review the change edits, corrections
and move forward to a scheduling a public hearing. They have incorporated the changes we made so
we can move forward. Chairman Green mentioned a proposed edit from Spicer on page 52 that would
differentiate setbacks between leased (participating) and non-leased (not participating) properties.
Planning Commissioners agreed to strike this latest edit/change and go with the original draft version.
Chairman Green noticed on pages 64 under Tower Separation section 6 was left out of the latest draft.
“ Following the completion of construction, the applicant shall certify that all construction is
completed pursuant to the wind energy site permit and, in addition, that appropriate security will be in
place to restrict unauthorized access to wind energy facilities.” On page 65 Tower/Turbine Height the
following sentence was left out “The applicant shall demonstrate compliance with the Michigan Tall
Structure Act (Act 259 of 1959, as amended) and FAA guidelines as part of the approval process.”
These to portions need to be included in our latest draft to forward to Spicer and include it in out text
document for the Public Hearing. Planning Commissioners are satisfied with this document and will
move it to a Public Hearing.
We need to prepare notice for a Public Hearing and must include the following: description of the text
amendment, date, time and place where text document will be considered, date, time and place where
posting will be for examination, date, time and place where written comments can be received. June
11, 2012 is the deadline for receiving written comments at 11:59 pm. Must include name of body,
address and phone number on the posting. Chairman Green is using the General Law Ordinance check
list from the Michigan Township Association. Reading City Hall has agreed to have copies of the one
page notice and the two page summary which is “Summary of Proposed Text Revisions to the
Reading Township Zoning Ordinance” for public viewing. We will also put it on the Hillsdale Info
Online site for viewing.
Commissioner Girdham moved that we submit the Summary of Proposed Text Revisions to the
Reading Township Zoning Ordinance for public viewing at Reading City Hall, Township Hall and on
Hillsdale Info Online with all written notices received by Monday, June 11, 2012, by the end of the
day 11:59pm. The date of the Public Hearing will be at our next regularly scheduled meeting on June
18, 2012, at 7:00pm at the Reading High School. Chairman Green seconded the motion. Motion
passed unanimously 4-0.
Discuss/Review Duke request for zoning amendments. Commissioners decided to bring the Duke
request for ordinance changes to the Public Hearing on June 18, 2012. We will include the whole Duke
request zoning amendments for the public hearing. Duke needs to furnish their request in a text
document.
Commissioner Girdham moved that we review the Duke request for zoning amendments at our next
meeting and to schedule a public hearing on June 18, 2012 at Reading High School Written notices
must be received by Monday, June 11, 2012 by the end of the day 11:59 pm. The Duke text
amendments will be posted for public viewing at Reading City Hall, Township Hall and on Hillsdale
Info Online. Commissioner Parker seconded the motion. Motion passed 4-0.
New Business: None
Other Business: None
Public Comments:
John Abbey-The original 55 Dba guidelines for Michigan were made under Gov. Grandholm. John
Sarver who authored the guidelines and works for wind energy facilities set 55Dba without scientific
basis. WHO guidelines are 40Dba daytime and 35Dba at night. Michigan's guidelines are some of the
worst in the world. Other Michigan Townships in earlier wind turbine projects based ordinances on the
55Dba without appropriate knowledge and had no idea about Dba's.
Tom Galloway – This is all about Health, Safety and Welfare. Everyone who has spoke at all the
meetings seem to be happy with 40 Dba. If 40 Dba is safe, then 40Dba should work for everyone and
possibly Duke can work with that to sight turbines and do the project.
Willow – Wind turbines would generate revenue and help Reading Schools. Supports Duke Energy
Dan Ettinger – Talked about Master Plan meshing with Dukes requested changes. Proposal is not
inconsistent with Master Plan. Master Plan is just a guide. Agricultural land works well with wind
turbines.
Larry Richards – Verifying that at the next meeting Planning Commission will vote on both proposals
and that will move it on to the Township Board. It's time to move forward.
Phyllis Newell – Why is it that changes to the Zoning Ordinance can be made by Spicer Group, but
Duke can make no changes. Bean Plant isn't there because of your friend and nickle and diming.
Karen Wiler – There are pros and cons. All research isn't going to change anyone’s mind. There are
some possible negatives to deal with. List of pros. Turbines revenue will benefit Reading Schools,
community and families with economic difficulties. Roads will be improved. Consider Dukes changes.
Establish the next meeting date: Motion made by Commissioner Girdham to make the next regularly
scheduled meeting on June 18th at 7:00pm. Hopefully in the GP Room at Reading High School.
Commissioner Hostetter seconded, motion carried. 4-0.
Adjournment: Commissioner Parker made a motion to adjourn the meeting and seconded by
Commissioner Girdham. Motion carried 4-0.
Respectfully Submitted,
Vicki Hostetter
Reading Township Planning Commission Secretary