Sumner Township board recommends denial of rezoning request for Parcel 1400700802

At a Sumner Township planning board meeting, members voted to recommend that the Gratiot County board of commissioners deny a request to rezone Parcel 1400700802 from Rural Preservation to Industrial (I-1). The recommendation followed a public hearing and a staff review of zoning criteria.

The board’s recommendation matter focused on whether the proposed rezoning met the township’s ordinance Section 18.7 criteria for amending the official zoning map. Board member Al Quinn moved to recommend denial; board member Dave supported the motion, which the board approved.

The township zoning administrator, Bill, presented an aerial map and a written zoning report, saying the parcel is owned by Christopher Kress and is located just off North Lumberjack Road near Riverdale. Bill noted the parcel is a narrow middle strip of Rural Preservation surrounded by agricultural parcels, that there are no public utilities on-site, and that the property’s soil has poor drainage and low load‑bearing capacity.

Board members questioned compatibility with surrounding residential and agricultural uses. “I don't think it's appropriate,” said Al Quinn, who urged the board to consider the district’s full range of permitted uses, not only the applicant’s stated plan. Another member warned that rezoning a parcel “doesn't matter what the intended use is today. Once it’s rezoned, any of those uses are allowed there,” and listed possible worst‑case uses included under industrial zoning as a reason for caution.

Staff noted a potential nonconformity: the existing structure sits about 15 to 20 feet from the north property line while the district requires a 25‑foot side setback. That preexisting condition would remain nonconforming under a rezoning and could limit future changes without meeting district requirements. Bill also said no structural permits, special land uses or variances for the parcel were on file.

A member of the public (identified in the record as a resident) raised infrastructure concerns, saying an industrial use typically requires high‑capacity power (three‑phase), substantial water supply, wastewater/stormwater planning and engineered stormwater controls; the speaker recommended an engineering survey should be required for such a change. Board members said no site visit or engineering studies had been completed before the hearing.

After discussion the board passed a motion recommending denial. The motion language cited incompatibility with surrounding uses, the likelihood of spot zoning, poor soil and drainage characteristics, limited access to utilities and infrastructure, and the absence of evidence that the parcel cannot reasonably be used under its current Rural Preservation classification. The board will forward its recommendation and written reasons to the Gratiot County board of commissioners, which has the final authority and will hold its own public hearing.

Other business: board members discussed scheduling required training for January 2026 (tentatively the week of Jan. 7) and noted the Zoning Board of Appeals will meet the following day to consider solar panel height variances. No formal action on training or the ZBA agenda occurred at the meeting.

The planning board approved the meeting agenda and the minutes of the Sept. 3, 2025 meeting earlier in the session. The planning board chair said the recommendation would be forwarded to county staff the next morning.