The Dorr Township Planning Commission Tuesday evening recommended the Township Board levy a $750 fee for those who seek a special meeting.

Members were somewhat surprised to learn Dorr does not change special meeting applicants for such meetings. It was noted that several surrounding township planning commissions charge for special meetings. For example the fee in Hopkins Township is $750 and in Martin Township $500.

Perhaps the impetus for this action was a special meeting April 24 to conduct a site plan review for Angie Leslie of Curious Minds BusyBags LLC at 1926 142nd Ave. along Ponderosa Drive. She was asking for review of a site plan for parking and parking facility expansion, which was approved.

Chairman Dan Beute acknowledged he had to scramble a bit to make the special meeting happen.

“It was a little harder to get enough people to show up,” he said. “It’s hard to get everybody together.”

Besides noting the fees charged by neighboring townships, commissioners noted the recent pay raises for each member to $70 per meeting and $100 per meeting for the chairman and recording secretary. Also noted was the added expense for having a representative from Professional Code Inspections present.

Beute acknowledged, “I don’t know how much PCI charges (for attending a meeting),” but he said that should be figured into the fee for applicants.

In other business Tuesday night, the commissioners:

• Fielded Larry Dolegowksi’s suggestion that local officials seriously study the possibility of coming up with solar farms. He said regardless of who they feel about solar energy, it’s here to stay, and governments should see what they can do to work with such projects.
• Reviewed updated zoning maps as provided by PCI’s Jason Derry, which Beute said were long overdue and welcome.