Planners appoint leaders, send rezone back to board

The Laketown Township Planning Commission elected new officers on Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025, and affirmed a rezoning recommendation to go back to the township board.

The planning commission elected Chad Nienhuis as chairperson. Nienhuis has been on the planning commission for about 6 years. He is the longest serving member on the commission.

The commission elected Jay Cravens as vice chairperson. Cravens was appointed to the commission in 2024. He has more than 40 years of experience in local government leadership positions including serving as a city manager and planning director.

Patrick Dietrich was elected as secretary. He was appointed to the commission last month. He previously served as a trustee on the township board. Dietrich will also serve as a liaison between the commission and the zoning board of appeals.

Other members are Mark Timmerman, township trustee who acts as liaison between the commission and the township board who was appointed to the planning commission last month, and Ray Buursma who was appointed in 2023.

The planning commission meets at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of the month at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

Rezone recommendation

Also on Wednesday, the planning commission unanimously voted to send back to the township board a rezoning recommendation for Covenant Seven LLC for about 51 acres with road frontage on 147^th Avenue and 60^th Street from R-1 Rural Estate and R-2 Low Density Residential to R-3 Medium Density.

The rezoning was unanimously approved by the planning commission on Nov. 6 after a public hearing and discussion. On Dec. 30, the township board voted to send the proposed rezoning back to the planning commission over concerns about traffic safety.

At the Jan. 8 meeting, the planning commission unanimously sent the recommendation back to the township board saying there was no evidence of a problem with traffic and the proposed rezoning is compatible with the master plan and the necessary considerations to meet approval.

The board is expected to address the rezoning proposal at its Jan. 15 meeting at 6 p.m. at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road,