April 28, 2026 Planning Commission Minutes

Kimball Township Planning Commission

Kimball Township Municipal Office

2160 Wadhams Rd., Kimball Michigan

PUBLIC HEARING & REGULAR MEETING AGENDA

APRIL 28, 2026

Meeting called to order at 6:32pm by Chairman Orr, please stand to say the Pledge of Allegiance

ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS:

Present: Orr, Barrett, Tuttle, Howard, Lokers, Miller

Absent: Henry

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion to approve the April 28, 2026, Agenda as printed was made by Barrett. Support from Tuttle. All were in favor.

Motion carried

2. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES: February 24, 2026

Barrett made a motion to approve the Minutes with the change of Board to Commission on page 1. Supported by Tuttle. All were in favor of the motion.

Motion Carried.

3. Open Public Hearing for 2780 Taylor Drive Pond and Sand Removal

The Public hearing for 2780 Taylor Drive Pond permit and Sand Removal was opened at 6:32pm by Mr, Barrett. Support from Mr. Orr.

1. Discussion -The proposed pond will be 1.4 acres with Sand being removed by Torrello Inc. Owner will be selling the sand. Both Taylor Rd and Flichbaugh roads are bonded by Torrello to the Road Commission.

1. Audience Participation for hearing

No Audience came to participate, and the Clerk has not received any neighbor’s communications.

1. Close Public Hearing

Mr. Tuttle made the motion to close the public hearing for 2780 Taylor Drive Pond/Sand removal at 6:46pm. Support from Mr. Barrett. All were in favor.

Motion carried.

Mr. Tuttle made a motion to move items number 5 and 6. Item 5 is now Item 4 (Close Public Hearing) and Item 6 is now Item 5 (New Business A. 2780 Taylor Drive Pond Large pond with sand removal by D. Torrello). Support from Lokers.

Roll Call Vote:

Yes: Tuttle, Lokers, Orr, Barrett, Howard, Miller

No: None

Absent: Henry

Motion Carries

2. NEW BUSINESS

1. 2780 Taylor Drive Pond

Large pond with sand removal by D. Torrello

Mr. Barrett moved to approve the Pond Permit with sand removal of 2780 Taylor Drive with the following conditions:

1. updated drawings are needed

2. Pond is to be 1.4 acres and 20 ft. depth

3. Hauling from 7am-7pm permitted

4. Bond is to be set at $1,000

5. 12-month approval, with the ability to request an extension of up to one more year.

2. OLD BUSINESS

1. Development District Definition – Final Review

-See packet for information

Per Neil we need the definition to get our Master Plan off to the printers.

Tuttle asked why we do not need a PUD now. Neil answered that the Lawyer does not think it is necessary at this time.

Per Mr. Barrett, this is still a zoning amendment.

Greg Dilone – Interstate Capital came to speak about a property that was locked down with a lawsuit for the past couple decades and purchased the property in August of 2025. Intention is to bring a commerce park to the I94/69 corridor to interact with bridge traffic and to bring commerce. Important note: NOT A DATA CENTER. Canadian and double stacked tunnel system is nearby and that is attractive to businesses. Bridge rates are much cheaper here at the Blue Water Bridge than the rates in Detroit. Routes are being rerouted to the Blue Water Bridge.

Per Interstate Capital:

• Reaching out to Canadian Companies
• No Data Center
• Wants to attract more businesses
• Two massive ponds-Bring a park to Kimball, fishing, walking trails, 50 acres.
• Between the Rail, gun club, expressway hey will not be heard.
• 330ft setback for the homes on Allen Road, more than the required amount.

Mr. Barrett: asked what does your model look like?

Mr. Dilone: stated they prefer Manufacturing companies; the building would be very versatile. We build buildings to land manufacturing companies. A shell of a building with no floor, with lighting, fire suppression, electricity, water and sewer to pivot how it needs to be used.

Mr. Barrett: two big issues that will come up if this conversation continues. Traffic, what is the traffic going to look like and the empty Battery plant located in St. Clair. It is empty and it is big.

Mr. Dilone: Traffic study has been performed. There will be some changes that will need to be made. It won’t make traffic worse, but it will make it better.

                      Mr. Lokers: Questioned about white walls?

Mr. Dilone leaving area wooded, so there will be little viewing of the building. We don’t do white walls.  

Mr. Barrett: Is the traffic study addressing the railroad? Will traffic be stuck?

Mr. Dilone yes

Neil Erickson: That is why we need to make sure we get the Master Plan in order.

Mr. Lokers: We have sat down with Gregg, and we need to address these things and make them more accessible. We could use this as opportunities.

Larry Opaleski – Lawyer for the developer. When speaking with township lawyer, Al Francis, the development District idea will take a long time. Would like to see a condition of rezoning, accept an application, and rezoning with conditions.

Lokers, can we expedite?

Mr. Barrett and Neil both answered: Answer: no. There needs to be a hearing.

Mr. Barrett made a motion to schedule a public hearing for the development focus district definition and zoning amendment scheduled for May 26, 2026. Mr. Tuttle supported this motion. All were in favor of this motion. Motion Carried.

Mr. Barrett asked about asking Mr. Francis or Metro Planning to review conditional rezoning amendments.

2. Wessel –Lapeer Rd. Pond and Sand Removal

Steven Wessel and Matt Gillett

            Mr. Wessel – 1208 Scott ave. here to give update on Lapeer Pond. Contractor is Matt Gillett, requesting more time to not be so disruptive to the neighbors. 35,000 yards more to go. Looking to complete around the end of the year. Uses a pickup broom to remove dirt/sand on road daily.

            Mr. Barrett moved to extend pond and soil removal permit for Lapeer rd, Mr. Wessels property to September 28^th, 2026, from August 2026. Mr. Tuttle will support this motion. All were in favor. Motion Carried.

3. Sparlingville Baptist Church building update

Mr Witkins getting soil checked out for the ponds – extended until November 2026 for footing permits, we still have an incomplete site plan.

1. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION

Harry Clomonski – 6236 Flinchbough

Has spoken to Rob Usakowski about the Torello property many times about composting near his property. He smells compost and now has a sand pit on the other side. Has been in the audience many times. The pond dug for the composting pit has affected his water table and his well.

Lokers: Feels that the board needs to do something about it.

State permit from Eagle, supposed to be short term and found out it has been renewed.

The Planning Commission has no idea about the composting permit.

Matthew Gillett, looking for a place to reside. Looking at Perry Westbrooks property between Griswold and Ravenswood. What is that property zoned?

Mr. Barrett: Not light industrial. Mr. Tuttle said he thinks it is rural. Told to talk to Neil Erickson.

2. REPORTS

1. Bill Orr, ZBA

Chickens on Broad Axe- the Township has an ordinance.

Mr. Barrett stated that it is a zoning issue. Should go before ZBA for the ordinance. Broad Axe is plated and is a ZBA issue.

2. Gary Lokers, Kimball Township Board of Trustees

3. ADJOURNMENT

Mr. Barrett made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 7:55pm Supported by Tuttle. Motion carried.