Veteran Independence Township Planning Commission members Cheryl Karrick, Joan McCrary and Joseph Lawrence were reappointed for another three year term, but just barely.
The Township Board voted 4-3 to approve the three-year terms. Trustees Neil Wallace, David Lohmeier, and Clerk Shelagh VanderVeen voted against the motion.
Wallace voted no because he felt “the process” used for the last couple appointments was not followed and also said ‘the nice glowing language? written by Supervisor Dave Wagner in his recommendation was not enough to reappoint the three.
“I’ve seen the planning commission, frankly, become much more political in a fashion than it should be,” he said, referring to decisions made over the Beaumont proposal on M-15 north of I-75.’The effort to cut the planning consultant out of even having a voice or making a recommendation, I thought that was inappropriate.?
He also felt some of the commissioners were ‘taking sides on non-planning issues,? and ‘new blood? was needed.
VanderVeen was not comfortable voting for all at the same time.
‘There are certain individuals I would like not to see be reappointed to the planning commission, and there is a certain individual I would like to see,? she said. ‘I don’t want to vote against my person by voting no en masse.?
Trustee Mark Petterson’s reappointment motion did not allow for separate votes.
Lohmeier said he voted because, like VanderVeen, he didn’t like voting ‘all bundled together.? He also wanted diversity between the Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), both of which includes Karrick.
‘One of the things we wanted to do, myself in particular, was bring in fresh ideas and try not to have the same faces on,? Lohmeier said. ‘There was a point in the past where you had the same people on planning, zoning, safety path, and cable commission. It was all the same names and I think we’ve done a little bit of a good job getting away from that.?
However, a liaison between planning commission and ZBA is required by statute, a post held by Karrick, as well as between planning commission and township board, held by Treasurer Curt Carson.
Carson mentioned the importance of education for all members to become citizen planners and master citizen planners, which all three reappointees have completed.
He also said he was ‘not familiar at all with this commission attempting to take away the voice of the planner.?
‘In fact, that’s opposite of what I’ve seen. I think we’ve spent a lot of time and money educating these people and it takes a lot of time and effort to be on the planning commission,? he said. ‘Unless there has been some situation where it’s been determined that somebody is not doing a good job, and I’ve not heard that, then I think we should go ahead and approve them.?
Trustee and former planning commission liaison Larry Rosso agreed each one was worthy of their seat.
‘I had some disagreements on some major issues and a few minor issues as well,? Rosso said. ‘However, each of these people work very diligently, took their responsibilities very seriously, gave their full effort for a job that has very nominal compensation.?
Rosso also pointed out to Wallace, over the past year three new people (Ron Ritchie, Joe Wauldron, and Deborah Froehlich) had been appointed to the commission.
Despite education ‘being touted,? Wallace said the decisions he heard being made by the commission over Beaumont were not made on ‘planning principles.?
‘They were more in the nature of about economic development,? he said. ‘That’s not the role of the planning commission.?
Karrick said she was not happy with how things were handled by the board, but was grateful to be reappointed.
‘I would like thank the board members who had the confidence and did vote in favor of reappointing the three who are up, who are citizen planners and master citizen planners and know we do take it to heart and do take it very seriously,? Karrick said. ‘We will be doing so for the next three years.?
McCrary also said she appreciated the four board members who showed support.
‘I will let my record stand, which is controlled growth, within the ordinance and the master plan,? she said.
Lawrence said he was ‘not surprised the discussion occurred,? but said they will continue to work hard.
‘We’re going to work for the betterment of the township,” Lawrence said. “Whether it be responsible economic development, green spaces, and the overall quality of life in the township.”