The Sanctuary

“……for the purpose of obtaining review from the Planning Commission.”

Application – Signed on 5/15/2023

To: Texas Township Board

Residents are becoming familiar with the Sanctuary's approval process, which shifted from the frequently used ClearZone Ordinance approval to the General Ordinance approval process at some point. One of these processes involves the Planning Commission (primarily used), while the other does not include the Commission (rarely used.)

 Rarely Used for Approval

Link To: General Ordinance

  • Chapter 16 – LAND DIVISIONS AND SUBDIVISIONS CONTROL

  • ARTICLE III – SUBDIVISION CONTROL

  • DIVISION 1 - GENERALLY

  • Sec 16-81 & Sec 16-82

 

Primarily Used for Approval

 Link To: ClearZone

  • Chapter 6

On the evening of July 10, 2023, the Texas Township Board voted to grant Preliminary Plat Approval for The Sanctuary under the General Ordinance. Some board members expressed concerns about the plat approval process, emphasizing that the Planning Commission was an important initial step. Despite these concerns, the request for Preliminary Approval was ultimately granted.

Board Meeting – July 10, 2023

The following evening, on July 11, 2023, the Planning Commission was notified about the vote for approval.  The Planning Commission members appeared perplexed, as they had not encountered a plat approval under the General Ordinance in a long time, and despite of the application’s original purpose being “for obtaining Planning Commission review.”

Planning Commission – July 11, 2023

 Questions:

  • The Residential Step 1 – Planning Commission Application was used for this application. Is there a different application for General Purpose applications for developers who wish to bypass the Planning Commission review and go directly to the Township Board? Where is it on the township website?

  • If the township Planning Commission wasn’t aware of the subdivision approval until the next night after granting approval, how is any resident to know how the application is to be handled who may want the opportunity to express concerns?

  • The disclosure states that the application's purpose is to "obtain a review from the Planning Commission." Who in the township can change the application's original disclosure for its purpose and intent?

  • How can anyone determine whether the application will be processed under the General or Planning Commission Ordinance when submitted for review?

  • How do developers maintain trust when two approaches are available, with one developer requiring full Planning Commission review and the other not?

  • Suppose the applicant signs the application with intent for the Planning Commission review but is allowed to change it for approval under General Purpose. How do we, as residents, get any say in this?

  • What communication plan ahead of final approval is being strategized for residents who may experience costly mandatory sewer hook-up fees for the extension of miles of sewer pipe, which includes subdivisions along the newly proposed pipe route?

  • If none of what is written above feels wrong, then why should any resident continue to appear before you or write?

  • If what is written above is wrong, then what is the board willing to do to make it right?