April 27, 2026 at 7:00 p.m.
Location: 53640 Parkville Rd, Three Rivers, MI 49093
Minutes
1. Call to Order
Mike Kinne called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.
2. Pledge of Allegiance
Mr. Kinne asked all present to stand and Pledge Allegiance to the Flag.
3. Roll Call
Roll call was taken and members present were:
- Cindy Newell
- Bill Brislen
- Mike Kinne
- Rosalyn Miller
- Becky Myers
4. Motion to approve the agenda and meeting rules
A motion was made by Bill Brislen with support from Rosalyn Miller to approve the agenda and meeting rules. The motion carried.
5. Motion to approve previous minutes of January 26, 2026 meeting
A motion was made Rosalyn Miller with support from Cindy Newell to approve the minutes of the January 26, 2026 meeting. The motion carried.
6. Motion to open a public hearing for the following:
a. Text amendments/Michigan Avenue rezoning
A motion was made by Bill Brislen with support from Becky Myers to open the Public Hearing for text amendments regarding Michigan Avenue rezoning at 7:02 p.m.
7. Review by the Zoning Administrator and/or Legal counsel
Matt Jorgensen became aware of a strip of properties along Michigan Avenue that were zoned as Agriculture which would require 40 acres and most are 2 acres or less. He also noted that R&R Trailers has a dealership license along 131 as well as the property on Franklin Drive although property on 131 is for retail sales in an industrial area is not allowed. Text amendments are not specific to rezoning but since a meeting was scheduled for this evening would like to run through together to save time.
Mr. Jorgensen presented sample pages showing the language to change Ag to RR and how the language/text amendments 313.3, 313.4, 314.3 and 314.4 would change. Also presented were regulations for special use permits and their oversight as well as available parking for people vs trailers.
A public hearing notice was published for this request in the Three Rivers Commercial News on March 13, 2026. This notice was also mailed to 18 parcel owners within 300 feet of the applicant and 8 public utilities.
8. Comments from the Applicant/Public (all comments directed to the Chairperson)
None
9. Motion to close the public hearing
A motion was made by Bill Brislen with support from Rosalyn Miller to close the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. The motion carried.
10. Deliberation by the Planning Commission
Cindy Newell questioned if there are any other businesses on Franklin Drive selling items. Mr. Jorgensen noted that there are multiple businesses selling products. If change amendment would allow current individuals to sell products.
Trailer parking as a safety issue was questioned. It was noted that special permits have control regarding safety issues.
Bill Brislen addressed sale of products not related to the business permitted and the enforcement of it. Mr. Jorgensen noted that it is a matter of enforcement and that a legitimate business is not going to jeopardize their license with enforcement actions.
11. Motion by the Planning Commission for approval, approve with conditions or deny the site plan.
Motion was made by Bill Brislen with support from Becky Myers to approve site plan The motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Jorgensen noted that both issues will be shared with the County Planning Commission however due to timing of meeting dates it will not be presented to the County Planning Commission until June. The Township Board is not having a meeting until end of May.
12. Motion to open a public hearing for the following
a. Friedel Hearing
A motion was made by Bill Brislen with support from Becky Myers to open a public hearing regarding Friedel request for rezoning at 7:24 p.m. The motion carried.
13. Review by the zoning Administrator and/or legal counsel.
Mr. Jorgensen noted that in April he was contacted regarding rezoning property North of Jergens from Ag to RR. He referred to the Future Land Use Map and the creek runs through the land being considered. The map notes this area as industrial. Although this property is not slated for RR properties in the area have future use of RR. He pointed out that in view of the fact that most of the land is wet and would not be viable for industrial use he did not feel this could be considered spot zoning.
A public hearing notice was published for this request in the Three Rivers Commercial News on April 10, 2026. This notice was also mailed to 9 parcels within 300 feet of the applicant properties and 8 public utilities.
Mike Kinne questioned if enough road frontage for both parcels.
Rossalyn Miller voiced concerns that this would start a precedent.
Cindy Newell questioned when the future land map becomes current.
Mr. Jorgensen noted that this change can take place when the Board chooses to and expressed the importance of the Master Plan.
Mike Kinne questioned if the land is too wet to pass for putting a septic system on it.
It was noted that in accordance with Section 306 of our ordinance parcel lot size is 30,000 sq ft with 150 ft road frontage, 25% coverage with buildings. Setbacks of 60 ft front yard, 20 ft each side and 35 ft. rear which would still allow some AG related activities.
Cindy Newell voiced concern for preserving the countryside.
14. Comments from the applicant/public (all comments to be directed to the chairperson)
Mr. Friedel noted frontage around 663.2 ft. the purpose is to split off between 3 and 5 acres in the Northwest corner and use ½ of that 660 ft of north end. If rezoned to RR then minimum site width is 150 ft of road frontage. The current AG zone requires 600 ft. He questioned if the rezone would uncap his property taxes and if so, then would not change zone class. Mr. Jorgensen pointed out that the new parcel would be uncapped but not his parcel.
It was questioned if this property is from an original land split from a farm which would be a one time split. Mr. Jorgensen will check with our attorney regarding this and it will have to go to the Assessor. If the parcel cannot be split then he will inform the Township Board .
Tom Fennel noted his concern as to what precedence will it set for other areas such as the Miller land.
Mr. Jorgensen pointed out that the Future Land Use map already has the area slated as RR.
Mr. Fennel expressed his opinion that the request not be approved and concern how areas are being zoned.
The areas in land conservation were noted.
Cindy Newell asked if there are any unintended consequences to the split.
Mr. Jorgensen did not feel this would be an issue and could point out that the land use map is old and this land is not suitable for industry.
Sally Farmer voiced her concern about the land becoming more public versus rural. It was noted their parcel is considered Ag Residential.
Mr. Friedle questioned if the Future Land Use shows the property as industrial and if it changes to RR would that keep Jergens from expanding? Mr. Jorgensen was felt that it would.
15. Motion to close the public hearing
A motion was made by Becky Myers with support from Bill Brislen to close the public hearing at 8:20 p.m. The motion carried.
16. Deliberation by the Planning Commission
Mr. Kinne asked if there were any more comments other than noted above. There were not any noted.
17. Motion by the Planning Commission for approval, approve with conditions or deny the site plan.
A motion was made by Cindy Newell with support from Bill Brislen to approve the Friedel rezone request. The motion was approved 5 to 0.
18. Old business
None
19. New Business
None
20. Motion to adjourn the meeting.
A motion was made by Mike Kinne with support from Bill Brislen to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m. The motion carried.
Arlene Brislen
Recording Secretary
April 27, 2026 – Park Township Planning Commission Meeting Minutes (PDF)