Certain land uses are quite necessary to the proper development of a community, but likewise, possess characteristics which warrant special treatment. These characteristics, in many situations, can easily become undesirable to some degree, basically because their intricate needs and/or appearance have a wide ranging influence beyond their own perimeter. In conformity with the purpose of this Zoning Code, it is hereby deemed prudent and necessary to apply limits and guidelines which Will both encourage good development and discourage undesirable effects on surrounding development.

(Ord. 195. Passed 4-9-90.)

(a)

The Planning Commission shall be furnished a site plan of the proposed development in the following circumstances:

(1)

Prior to the creation of a use or erection of a building in the districts and conditions cited in this chapter;

(2)

In connection with a planned unit development.

(b)

In connection with a rezoning request in any district, the Planning Commission may require a preliminary site development plan.

(c)

A site plan shall be submitted unless specifically waived by the Planning Commission or exempted in Section 1284.03 in connection with the permitted uses in the following districts:

(1)

R-3 Residence;

(2)

R-4 Residence;

(3)

R-5 Mobile Home Parks;

(4)

PUD Planned Unit Development;

(5)

C-1 Business;

(6)

C-2 Central Business District;

(7)

MSD Motorist Service;

(8)

I-1 Light Industrial;

(9)

I-2 Heavy Industrial; and

(10)

Special Land Uses.

(Ord. 195. Passed 4-9-90; Ord. 207. Passed 10-14-91; Ord. 287. Passed 1-13-97.)

(a)

All site plans exempted from review by the Planning Commission shall be subject to approval by the Building Inspector and City Engineer prior to issuing a building permit. If the site plan submitted to the Inspector and Engineer is disapproved by either, the applicant shall have the right to appeal to the Commission.

(b)

The following shall be exempt from Commission review of their site plans: A single-family or two-family dwelling on a lot on which there exists no other building or use.

(Ord. 195. Passed 4-9-90.)

For all permitted uses required by this Zoning Code to have a site plan submitted therefor to the Planning Commission, a preliminary site plan may be submitted to the Commission as an initial step prior to the submission of the formal final site plan provided in Section 1284.05.

The preliminary site plan may be prepared by the owner of the property or by his or her representative and should contain as much of the information specified in Section 1284.05 as possible.

No fee will be charged for preliminary site plan reviews, and the proceedings shall be used for the applicant to obtain information and instructions from the Commission regarding his or her proposed site.

Upon approval of the initial site plan, a final site plan, which shall incorporate all of the items specified in Section 1284.05, shall then be submitted to the Commission before any construction on the site.

(Ord. 232. Passed 1-24-94.)

Each final site plan submitted shall contain the following information, unless specifically waived by the Planning Commission, in whole or in part:

(a)

The date, north arrow and scale; the scale shall be not more than one inch to 100 feet, although supplementary site plans at a one inch to fifty feet or larger scale are encouraged.

(b)

The name and address of the professional individual responsible for the preparation of the site plan as follows:

(1)

Site plans for construction of new buildings shall always contain the imprinted seal of the professional individual preparing the plan.

(2)

Site plans for the construction of additions of 5,000 square feet or more onto existing buildings shall always contain the imprinted seal of the professional individual preparing the plan.

(c)

The name and address of the property owner or petitioner, and proof of ownership or option to purchase;

(d)

A location sketch drawn to scale;

(e)

A legal and common or popular description of the subject property;

(f)

The size in acres and square feet of the subject property;

(g)

All lot and property lines shown with bearings and dimensions, including building setback lines on corner lots;

(h)

The location of all existing structures within 100 feet of the subject property's boundary;

(i)

The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures on the subject property;

(j)

The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed drives, sidewalks, curb openings, signs, exterior lighting, parking areas including total number of parking spaces (show dimensions of a typical parking space), unloading areas, recreation areas, common use areas and areas to be conveyed for public use and purpose;

(k)

The location, pavement width and right-of-way width of all abutting roads, streets, alleys or easements; land shall be reserved and shown on the site plan for any major streets proposed on the City of Coopersville Major Thoroughfare Plan that would go through any part of the site;

(l)

The existing zoning of all properties abutting the subject property;

(m)

The location of all existing and proposed landscaping and vegetation and the locations, height and type of existing and proposed fences and walls;

(n)

Size and location of existing and proposed hydrants and utilities, including proposed connections to public sewer or water supply systems;

(o)

The location and size of all subsurface and surface water drainage facilities (existing and proposed) and any established flood plain areas, bodies of water or other nonbuildable areas if present on the site;

(p)

Contour intervals to be shown at five-foot intervals; and

(q)

Summary schedules and views, affixed as applicable in residential developments, which give the following data:

(1)

The net residential site expressed in acres and in square feet, including a breakdown of both measured for any sub-areas or staging areas;

(2)

The number and type of dwelling units proposed, including typical floor plans for each type of dwelling unit;

(3)

Typical elevation views of the front and side and rear of each type of building; and

(4)

Proposed density of the net residential site.

(r)

Architectural elevations:

(1)

Architectural elevations of new buildings shall always contain the signature of the professional architect preparing the plan.

(2)

Architectural elevations for the construction of additions of 5,000 square feet or more onto existing buildings shall always contain the signature of the professional architect preparing the plan.

(Ord. 195. Passed 4-9-90; Ord. 231. Passed 1-24-94; Ord. 374. Passed 11-24-03.)

The following process should be followed in submitting site plans for approval:

(a)

The applicant shall meet with the Planning Director to discuss the proposed project. The application for a site plan approval shall be submitted at least thirty days prior to the next regular Planning Commission [meeting]. The application shall be submitted by all owners of interest in the land for which site plan approval is sought, or the designated agent of the owner. The applicant or a designated representative must be present at all scheduled meetings/hearings, or consideration of the application shall be tabled due to lack of representation. The Planning Director shall make a determination if the proposed use is a permitted use, and state in writing if the project requires site plan approval. If site plan approval is required, the applicant shall be given a site plan review application.

(b)

The applicant may request to participate in a pre-application workshop to discuss preliminary development plans with the Planning Director.

(c)

The applicant shall complete the application and submit it to the City Clerk along with the application fee and the Planning Director's written statement. The application will not be processed unless the application fee is paid in full. The fee shall be established by the City Council and shall be in such amount so as to recover actual costs incurred by the review process.

(d)

The City Clerk shall verify the property's parcel number(s) and legal descriptions(s).

(e)

The applicant shall submit ten physical copies and one digital copy of the application, site plan and full color architectural elevations to the City Clerk at least thirty days prior to the date the Planning Commission reviews the site plan. The Zoning Administrator shall review the plan to make sure the required information has been included and notify the applicant if additional information is needed before the Planning Commission can review the plan. Plan omissions, which are not resubmitted within the thirty-day time limit, may cause the plan to be reviewed at the following Planning Commission meeting.

(f)

The City Clerk shall deliver copies of the application to the Planning Commission members. The Planning Commission shall review the application, site plan and architectural elevations approve, conditionally approve, or deny the site plan. If the Planning Commission denies the application, it shall state its reasons for denial and those reasons should be recorded in the official minutes. If the Planning Commission does not have sufficient information to take action on a site plan, it may table the plan until additional information can be supplied. If the Commission requires that the site plan be revised, it shall notify the applicant of revisions, which are requested. The applicant shall then resubmit the site plan with the requested revisions for the record.

(g)

In approving a site plan and architectural elevations, the Planning Commission may require that a bond or other performance guarantee be furnished by the applicant to ensure compliance with the approved plan.

(h)

In approving the site plan and architectural elevations, the Planning Commission requires a review by the City Engineer and City Architect. The cost incurred for the review of the site plan and architectural elevations by the City Engineer and City Architect will be paid by the applicant.

(i)

A site plan and architectural elevations shall be approved if it contains the information required by this Zoning Code and is in compliance with this Zoning Code and the conditions imposed hereunder and with other applicable ordinances, and State and Federal statutes.

(j)

After approval of the site plan and architectural elevations by the Planning Commission, two copies of the site plan and architectural elevations shall be signed and dated by the City Clerk, one for the record and one to be submitted to the applicant. The City Clerk shall also notify the Planning Commission Chairperson, Board of Zoning Appeals Chairperson, Zoning Administrator, Building Inspector, City Engineer, and City Assessor.

(Ord. 195. Passed 4-9-90; Ord. 374. Passed 11-24-03; Ord. 460. Passed 3-24-14; Ord. 487. Passed 5-13-19.)

(a)

The planning commission may impose reasonable conditions in conjunction with the approval of a site plan for the purpose of ensuring that public services and facilities affected by a proposed and use or activity will be capable of accommodating increased services and facility loads caused by the land use or activity, protecting natural resources and energy, ensuring compatibility with adjacent uses of land, and promoting the use of land in a socially and economically desirable manner.

(b)

Conditions imposed shall:

(1)

Be designed to protect natural resources and the health, safety, and welfare of those who will use the proposed use under consideration residents, and landowners immediately adjacent to the proposed use, and the community as a whole;

(2)

Be related to the valid exercise of the police power and purposes which are affected by the proposed use or activity; and

(3)

Be necessary to meet the intent and purpose of this zoning ordinance, be related to the standards established in this zoning ordinance for the land use or activity under consideration and be necessary to ensure compliance with those standards.

(Ord. 374. Passed 11-24-03.)

In those instances in which the Subdivision Control Act of 1967, being Act No. 288 of the Public Acts of 1967, as amended, is involved, the owner shall, after site plan approval, submit the preliminary and final plats to the proper officer in conformance with such Act and in accordance with all other applicable codes, acts and ordinances. Such plats shall remain in conformance with the approved site plan.

(Ord. 195. Passed 4-9-90.)

Major changes (increased density, additional buildings, etc.) to the approved final site plan and/or architectural elevations shall be applied for by the applicant to the Planning Commission. Any major changes approved in the final site plan and architectural elevations shall be recorded with the site plan and shall bear the signature of the Building Inspector.

No changes are to be considered as a waiver of conditions or covenants, and all rights to enforce such conditions or covenants against any changes permitted by this Zoning Code are expressly reserved.

(Ord. 195. Passed 4-9-90; Ord. 373. Passed 11-24-03.)

If any person is aggrieved by the action of the Planning Commission, an appeal in writing to the Board of Zoning Appeals may be taken in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 1244 of this Zoning Code.

(Ord. 195. Passed 4-9-90.)

The standards set forth in this section shall be utilized by the Planning Commission to review all site plans. These standards are intended to provide a frame of reference for the applicant in the preparation of the site plans, as well as for the reviewing authority in making a judgment concerning them. These standards shall not be regarded as inflexible requirements. They are not intended to discourage creativity, invention or innovation.

(a)

Landscape Preservation. The landscape shall be preserved in its natural state, insofar as practical, by minimizing tree and soil removal, and any grade changes shall be in keeping with the general appearance of neighboring developed areas.

(b)

Relation of Buildings to Environment. Proposed structures shall be related harmoniously to the terrain and to the existing buildings in the vicinity that have a visual relationship to the proposed buildings. The achievement of such relationship may include the enclosure of space in conjunction with other existing buildings or other proposed buildings and the creation of focal points with respect to avenue of approach, terrain features or other buildings and structures and the neighboring properties.

(c)

Drives, Parking and Circulation. With respect to vehicular and pedestrian circulation, including walkways, interior drives and parking, special attention shall be given to location and number of access points, general interior circulation, separation of pedestrian and vehicular traffic and arrangement of parking areas that are safe, convenient and, insofar as practical, do not detract from the design of the proposed buildings and structures and the neighboring properties. Sidewalks shall be constructed according to City specifications unless waived by the Planning Commission.

(d)

Surface Water Drainage. Special attention shall be given to proper site surface drainage so that removal of surface waters will not adversely affect neighboring properties or the public storm drainage system. If practical, storm water shall be removed from all roofs, canopies and paved areas and carried away in an underground drainage system. Temporary on-site storage to reduce rapid run-off from the site is encouraged. Surface water in all paved areas shall be collected at intervals so that it will not obstruct the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic and will not create puddles in the paved areas.

(e)

Utility Service. Electric and telephone distribution lines shall be underground. Any utility installations remaining above ground shall be located so as to have a harmonious relationship to neighboring properties and the site.

(f)

Advertising Features. The size, location and lighting of all permanent signs and outdoor advertising structures or features shall be consistent with the requirements of Chapter 1282.

(g)

Special Features. Exposed storage areas, exposed machinery installations, service areas, truck loading areas, utility buildings and structures, and similar accessory areas shall be subject to such setbacks, screen plantings or other screening methods as shall reasonably be required to prevent their being incongruous with the existing or contemplated environment and the surrounding properties.

(h)

Architectural Elevations. Elevations of the buildings, principal and accessory, shall be in harmony with the general character of the neighborhood, and the color of brick or other approved facing material shall be compatible with the surround area, as shown in the Architecture and Design Standards set for in Chapters 1270 and 1276.

(Ord. 195. Passed 4-9-90; Ord. 374. Passed 11-24-03.)

Each development shall be substantially under construction within one year after the date of approval of the final site plan by the Planning Commission.

(Ord. 227. Passed 12-13-93.)