MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - At Monday's Planning Commission meeting, the Commission discussed the Smith Drain Project and its resolution to it, as well as voted unanimously to approve it.

The resolution of approval to the Special Use Permit #16041 was approved by Commissioner Brett DeGroff with support from Commissioner Daniel Opsommer. The SUP is for the request to work in the 100-year-old floodplain of the Smith Drain associated with improvements to the drain.

Meridian Township had requested a special-use permit to work in the floodplain associated with improvements to the Smith Drain located in section 33 of the township.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing at its April 11, 2016 meeting where it reviewed the SUP #16041. The board has since reviewed the staff material, whereas excavations of materials from the floodplain will be consistent with the requirements and standards of section #86-436N of the Conservancy District of Code of Ordinances.

The applicant of this special-use permit proposed to fill in 123 cubic yards within the floodplain and to provide the compensating cut of 19,452 cubic yards. However, DeGroff said the cut-fill ratio greatly exceeds the 1 to 1 cut-fill ratio required by the township zoning ordinance.

Another part of the resolution is to make sure it is not a threat to the public health.

"Whereas the excavation will not be adverse or damaging to the public health, safety or welfare," DeGroff said. "And, whereas the proposed excavation work will compensate for additional storm water drainage associated with improvements to the Smith Drain at Jolly Road."

The Planning Commission voted to approve this special-use permit, contingent on conditions the board created.

Conditions include approval of subject, the plans and application materials submitted, approval of subject to the approval of Wetland Use Permit #16-01 for enhancements to wetlands associated with the improvements to the Smith Drain, the applicant shall implement appropriate soil erosion and sedimentation control measures during construction to ensure there are no negative impacts due to soil erosion.