Commission amends waterfront vision-triangle language; removes explicit playground-equipment ban

The Grosse Ile Township Planning Commission voted to forward proposed changes to waterfront-yard rules that clarify the township’s clear-vision triangle standards but removed an explicit reference to “playground equipment” from the draft language after sustained discussion.

Staff said the amendment traces to a recent court case in which the township lost enforcement against a homeowner over a trampoline; rather than continue costly litigation, staff recommended clarifying the ordinance to reflect the township’s intent to keep clear-vision triangles unobstructed. The draft added language that would have explicitly listed fences and playground equipment among prohibited items in waterfront yards that obstruct views.

Commission debate focused on whether listing “playground equipment” would overreach by banning common family items (trampolines, swing sets, basketball hoops) even when they do not permanently obscure views. Some members said enforcement must be able to address abusive or permanent obstructions, while others said a flat prohibition on normal play structures would be too restrictive. Commissioners discussed lot-width and the 30-degree triangle geometry; staff noted the regulation historically keeps structures out of those clear-vision triangles.

A motion to approve the draft with the specific deletion of the “playground equipment” example passed by roll call (vote recorded in the meeting as: 4 yes, 1 no). Planning staff will forward the recommended text amendment to the township board under the zoning ordinance amendment process (Article 25) for final action.

The vote preserves the township’s ability to enforce against structures that “obscure views” while removing a named example that prompted concerns about overbroad application to family play equipment.