August 4, 2009

The meeting of the Planning Commission of Franklin Township, held in the 
Township office, was called to order at 1900 hours.  Present were Dwight Miller, 
Joe Szymanowicz, Hugh Crandall, Dennis Howard, David Knight, Surveyor 
John Laird and Janet Woods.

VISITORS/PUBLIC COMMENT
Lechner Sketch Plan, 10400/10430 Silverthorn Road – John Laird presented a 
sketch plan for subdivision of the approximate 174 acres of land owned by the 
Lechners.  As shown on the sketch Lot 5 presently has 4.5 acres with an 
existing house and barn with frontage on Silverthorn.  This is a stand alone lot 
that will increase in size to approximately five to ten acres.  The 168 +/- acre 
parcel will be subdivided into four lots.  Lot 3 will have at least 50 ft. of frontage 
on Silverthorn, and has an existing house (lot size not stated but well in excess 
of the minimum acreage and would open to at least the minimum 250 ft. width).  
Lot 4 will front on Silverthorn with at least the minimum 250 ft. of frontage and 
between 20 to 40 acres.  Lot 2 will be a flag lot and have at least 50 ft. of frontage 
on Silverthorn opening to a minimum of 250 ft. width with between 10 to 20 
acres.  Lot 1 will be a flag lot and have at least 50 ft. of frontage on Silverthorn 
opening to a large, wide lot to the rear of lot 2 and lot 3.  Lots 1, 2 and 4 are 
currently vacant land.

Crandall – lots 1 and 2 can have their own 50 ft. right-of-way or they can front on 
one 50 ft. right-of-way.

Laird – Mr. Lechner wants lot 2 for his daughter and lot 4 for his son.  Each may 
build a summer home on their lot.  He prefers that lots 1 and 2 each have their 
own right-of-way.

Szymanowicz – this looks good but you need to take the property at 10412 
Silverthorn into consideration when you are drawing the Mylar.  There is an 
existing house on a separate lot at that address that Mr. Lechner’s property 
surrounds but he does not own.

Mr. Laird left the meeting at 1935 hours.

Janet and Gerry Woods Sketch Plan, 11420/11424 Fry Road – Janet Woods 
says that she owns the house at 11420 and is buying the pole building at 11424 
along with some land, approximately 132 ft wide by 329 ft. deep from her brother 
Gerry.  She will combine two pieces of property into one lot of approximately of 
2.45 acres.  The lot will contain the existing house, the pole building, and 
another small barn.  Each building meets the minimum side-yard/rear-yard set 
back requirements.  The residue parcels both retain enough frontage and 
acreage to be in compliance.  

Miller – as shown there is a right-of-way or easement that would divide the 
proposed lot down the middle.  What was that used for?

Woods – there is driveway that accesses a gravel pit in the rear.

Miller – does removing the easement land lock anything in the rear?  Woods 
said no.

Miller - I’d recommend removing the easement when you combine the land into 
one lot.  There is no need for it.

Discussion was held on various case scenarios on combining lots.  One 
suggestion was to take the piece being added from the Gerry Woods property 
and adding it to the 17 acres from which the existing house and small barn 
would be taken instead of making the new lot of 2.45 acres.  Ms. Woods said 
she would contact the County to see which scenario would possibly have a tax 
advantage.

Ms. Woods left the meeting at 1950 hours.

MINUTES
Miller moved to approve the minutes of 7/7/09 as presented.  Howard seconded.  
Carried.

OLD BUSINESS
Rewrite of the Zoning Ordinance – after review of the draft zoning map, there 
was discussion on the I-1 zoning on Francis Road that includes the Russell 
Standard site and four other lots with homes.

NEW BUSINESS
See Visitor/Public Comment section.

ADJOURN
Miller moved to adjourn, Howard seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 2005 hours.

Bonnie J. Bernhardt, Secretary