Planning Commission approves three conditional use permit requests and forwards zoning amendments; driveway conditions applied

The Eaton County Planning Commission recorded votes on multiple conditional use permits and advanced a zoning code amendment package during its meeting.

Key outcomes: 1) CU61711 (David and Esther Yoder and Leroy Yoder) — The commission approved a change of conditions to an existing home-business conditional use permit allowing the business to construct and sell sheds, expand the building used for the business and add outdoor display/storage consistent with an earlier variance. The applicant proposed using 1,950 square feet of an existing 30-by-100 building for business use, Monday'Friday hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and parking for seven vehicles. The staff report noted prior variance approval for expanded outdoor storage; the Charlotte Fire Department and Carmel Township both reviewed the application with no objections. The commission voted to approve CU61711 by roll call; the applicants were advised to begin working on drawings and required permits.

2) CU5251 (Leroy and Rosetta Yoder) — The commission approved a conditional use permit to operate a sawmill as an agricultural business at 383802 North Chester Road, subject to a condition that the northmost driveway approach onto Chester Road be improved to meet Eaton County Road Commission commercial driveway standards and be surfaced with asphalt. The staff report noted the sawmill has operated on the site for decades, the applicants plan lot-line adjustments that will place the business on a 15-acre parcel, and proposed buildings comply with lot-coverage and setback requirements discussed in the staff report. The Eaton County Road Commission had recommended the driveway improvement; Charlotte Fire Department and district health had no objections. The commission moved and voted to approve the conditional use with the driveway condition; staff said Brandy would follow up with the applicants on next steps and lot-line adjustments.

3) CU81211 (Nick and Kendra Thompson) — The commission approved a change of conditions to allow an established construction-contractor operation and storage of heavy equipment at 1421 South Stewart Road, contingent on obtaining the required commercial driveway permit/meeting the Eaton County Road Commission commercial driveway standard. The applicant said some existing hoop barns and other structures were built without permits; the applicant said he would obtain required permits and that the operation supports family and 4-H activities. Staff advised that per state law agricultural pole barns may be exempt from building permits but that zoning clearance and site-plan review were required for land-use issues; the planning commission recorded the approval contingent on compliance with driveway permit requirements.

All three conditional use permits were approved by roll-call votes recorded as unanimous in the meeting minutes. Where driveway improvements were recommended by the Eaton County Road Commission, the commission either attached a condition requiring the improvement (sawmill and construction-contractor applications) or directed staff to work with applicants on necessary permits and lot-line adjustments (sawmill). The approved Yoder home-business application was told to proceed with building drawings and permitting.

Votes (summary): CU61711 ' approved (roll-call unanimous); CU5251 ' approved with condition requiring driveway upgrade to Eaton County Road Commission commercial standards and asphalt (roll-call unanimous); CU81211 ' approved contingent on obtaining a commercial driveway permit (roll-call unanimous). The Planning Commission also moved the zoning DCA package (DCA 5-25-1) forward, as reported separately.