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Board approves special‑use permit for outdoor storage at 3700 Craft Avenue; owner commits to fire barrier and maintenance
Summary
Trustees approved a special‑use permit allowing outdoor storage at 3700 Craft Ave for Lakeland Pallets after planning and ZBA review; the applicant agreed to install and maintain a fire barrier and to comply with fire department inspections.
Cascade Charter Township trustees voted Jan. 8 to approve a special‑use permit allowing outdoor storage of materials at 3700 Craft Avenue, an industrial site north of the airport.
Planning Director Andrea Hendrick told the board the applicant completed a zoning verification and was granted a variance that required retention of existing landscaping and vegetation to the west and east of the site. The planning commission and zoning board of appeals reviewed the application and recommended approval with conditions.
"Because outdoor storage may have negative impacts on adjacent properties in the zone district, we want to make sure that it's appropriate," Hendrick said, explaining the review process and prior approvals.
Joel Bodbile, who represents Lakeland Pallets at the site, told trustees his family business has operated in Cascade for nearly 18 years and has maintained a good relationship with township departments. Bodbile said the company will install a road/fire barrier on the east side of the lot to distance brush and trees from outdoor storage areas and will maintain that barrier.
"We are always in compliance with whatever the fire department wants us to do ... we are looking to put that barrier in there, and maintaining it will be we will absolutely do that," Bodbile said.
Trustees discussed a planning packet condition that asked for brush to be cleared to provide a four‑foot buffer between pallets and the woods; the board directed staff to clarify whether that buffer is intended to be a one‑time clearing or an ongoing maintenance requirement. Planning staff said the fire department will inspect the site for fire compliance and can enforce maintenance as needed. Trustee Shipley moved to approve the special‑use permit; the motion was seconded and carried.
The special‑use approval is conditioned on retaining required landscaping and on meeting fire‑safety requirements during subsequent inspections.
