Stronach Planning Commission approves meeting schedule, reviews Master Plan edits and local zoning concerns

Commissioner Ted Batzer called the Township of Stronach Planning Commission to order at 7 p.m. on Sept. 2, 2025, and the panel approved the meeting agenda and minutes from the Feb. 4 (rescheduled) and June 3 meetings by unanimous vote.

The commission set its regular monthly meetings for the first Tuesday of each month through the organizational meeting in January 2026 — Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2, 2025, and Jan. 6, 2026 — on a motion by Terry Lindeman, seconded by Phil Landis. The vote on the schedule was recorded as unanimous.

Why it matters: commissioners are advancing revisions to the township Master Plan and coordinating with county planning work while keeping a regular meeting cadence that will allow continued public review and the completion of plan production.

Commissioners received communications including an MSU Extension flyer on land‑use and zoning certificate courses and a Manistee County recreation-plan survey update. During that item, public attendee Phil Vadeboncoeur and Zoning Administrator Larry Thompson raised an MMP update and warned the commission that less material routed to regional processing could reduce tonnage going to the township landfill and hurt tipping‑fee revenue. That concern was recorded by the commission but no formal action or resolution was taken at the meeting.

Zoning Administrator Larry Thompson reported several neighborhood noise‑nuisance complaints in the Pine Creek Road area and said the township currently lacks decibel‑reading equipment; he said he had discussed the issue with the Manistee County sheriff's department. Thompson also noted a possible issue with pink dumpsters on Indian Trail and reported two new building permits for properties near the Little Manistee River.

On planning and production, commissioners reviewed color‑printed copies of the Master Plan after a first round of edits and agreed to follow up with Manistee County Planning Director Katie Gruenberg about appropriate demographic data for the plan. Commissioners discussed acquiring Adobe InDesign to produce a final Master Plan and a potential separate updated Parks & Recreation Plan.

Under new business, commissioners discussed upgrades they'd like to see on the township website, including fillable forms or links to standard documents (such as the Master Plan), maps and a capability to host Zoom presentations. A website presentation by Brian Veine or the township webmaster was suggested so commissioners can evaluate options.

There were no formal votes recorded on ordinance changes, funding, or permits during the meeting. The commission listed its next agenda items (Master Plan edits, coordination with the county recreation/master plan, cost‑recovery ordinance for the fire department, Little Manistee River updates and website input) and adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Minutes were submitted as "Respectfully submitted, Waniel L. Randis" and signed by Secretary Daniel Landis.

The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 7, 2025.