Meeting Agenda
- Call to order:
- Pledge of Allegiance:
- Roll call:
- Conflict of Interest:
- Communications:
- Public comment:
- Approval of Agenda:
- Approval of Minutes:
- Old Business:
- Recreational Vehicles:
- Amending Language with respect to Data Centers:
- Clarifying definitions:
- New Business:
- Announcements:
- Adjourn:
Helena Township Planning Commission Minutes of Regular Meeting April 02, 2026, Draft
Chairman Dave Hunstad called meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
Attendees stood for recitation of Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call: Attending—Hunstad, Gurr, Beswetherick, Robinson—Absent—Schilling, Whipple, Vandenberg. A quorum was achieved. Zoning Administrator Logee and nine members of the public members of the public also in attendance.
No conflicts of interest were declared.
No communications reported.
PC secretary Gurr noted the need of several amendments to the agenda to precede Approval of Agenda
Public Comment:
Resident JW addressed commission with a presentation expressing his concern that a commission member might have a conflict of interest over an issue related to his neighboring property. Member was not in attendance. JW expressed his appreciation for the impact the location of an RV on his property has had on his neighbors. He pointed out the circumstances that had resulted in the current situation and expressed his need to continue the use in a manner essential to his long-term interests regarding his property. He expressed his willingness to relocate the subject RV as a gesture of accommodation toward the concerns of neighbors.
Approval of Agenda: PC secretary Gurr remarked he would request several amendments to the agenda.
1.Addition of Zoning Administrator’s report “bullet’.
2.Chairman Hunstad noted the need for the addition of “Complaint form” under Old Business.
(At this point a member of the public (LW) asked for recognition wondering why the PC had not scheduled the annual “Election of Officers” as had normally been the case in previous years. Chairman Hunstad had sent an email to Secretary Gurr regarding the concern, but the message was not received prior to the meeting). The election of officers is now a normal function of the June meeting.
Secretary suggested conflicting understanding of exact date of election could be resolved by conducting the election at the present moment with the agreement of the present commissioners. Supervisor Peeples—present–could be appointed temporary secretary of Planning Commission to conduct the election and the election proceed. Nominations of presently-serving officers was made in successive order by Gurr, seconded by Beswetherick. Upon closing of nominations the following officers were elected unanimously.
Chairman: Dave Hunstad, Vice-Chair: Mike Robinson, Secretary: Jim Gurr.
Chairman Hunstad recommenced regular meeting. Member of Public (LW) asked the indulgence of the Chair for a further clarifying question. Acknowledged, she inquired the difference between ”Officers Serving” and “length of service” of appointees to the PC . An explanation was tendered by Secretary Gurr.
Helena Township Planning Commission Minutes of Regular Meeting April 02,2026—Draft
Commission returned to now-amended agenda.
Approval of Minutes of previous meetings: Minutes of February 05, 2026 regular meeting. and minutes of March 19, 2026 Public Hearing on Data Center (with corrected initials for participating member of public). Approved unanimously.
Zoning Administrator’s Report was received. Notice of apparent change in ownership of Alden village Commercial property.
Old Business: Chair reported no action on RV language, discussion will continue. Regarding Data Centers, Chair reported results of investigation of noise level monitoring. Moratoriums limited to six months.
Gurr expressed need to initiate action by including Data Centers in Section 5.09 of existing ordinance.
Toward that end, Gurr made motion to amend 15.09 accordingly. Motion failed to garner a second. Motion failed.
Secretary made motion to include a satisfactory definition of Data Centers to glossary of definitions. Definition was determined, practical suggestion from member of public to include precise legal terminology was made. Beswetherick seconded motion—approved unanimously.
PC returned to Old Business with aim of clarification of definitions. Chair Hunstad noted the following needs: “Ambient” unclear–not satisfactory, “Basement” unclear, seems contrary to purpose, “oil and gas facilities”, not concise—not satisfactory. Action to follow.
Complaint Form: Township Clerk Leffew, observing via Zoom, suggested “leaving it to website” with action expected.
No New Business:
Clerk reminded Citizen Planner enrollment ends Friday April 03, 2026 and pointed out township office is proposing Citizen Awareness meeting with respect to upcoming strain on use of Community Center—notice will be posted.
Adjourn: (?).
Authored & Submitted by:
Helena Township Planning Commission
Jim Gurr, Secretary
Synopsis sent to Antrim Review -04/06/2026 Published on Township website- 04/06/2026 Posted on Township Bulletin Board