The Canton Township Planning Commission approved a special land use for Camp Mirage, a summer day camp at Friendship Church (1240 North Beck Road), subject to conditions intended to limit noise and ensure activity areas are sited and documented to protect adjacent residences.

Staff summary and applicant response: Patrick Sloan, planning staff, said the applicant submitted revised plans after the December meeting showing activity areas placed west of a garage and inside existing evergreen screening, and a circulation loop that supports one‑way drop‑off/pick‑up from Beck Road. Sloan noted a separate compliance issue: gravel had been placed on the east side of the site after the prior meeting and staff requested a written church statement indicating whether Friendship Church plans to restore the surface or apply for a site plan amendment to pave and screen it.

Applicant representatives Marie Minscher and Frances Abrams confirmed the camp is a summer day camp that currently proposes 07:30–17:30 hours; commissioners asked staff and applicants to allow flexibility. Sloan proposed limiting the approved use to a 10‑week season between June and August to avoid tying the approval to specific calendar dates.

Conditions and rationale: Commissioners and staff discussed temporary snow‑fence delineation, limiting amplified sound and speakers, locating activity areas where existing evergreen buffers provide screening, and ensuring drop‑off circulation keeps activity areas away from the gravel area. To address neighbors’ noise concerns, staff recommended that amplified sound (speakers, megaphones) be prohibited.

Final motion and vote: Commissioner Watkins moved and Commissioner Singh supported an amended motion to approve the special land use subject to these conditions: submit revised plans prior to board review that clearly show snow‑fence on the east side of the eastern activity areas and on the north side of the northwest activity area to maintain required 25‑ft setbacks; locate activity areas west of the dumpster/drive and out of gravel areas; provide a written letter from Friendship Church stating whether it will apply for a site plan amendment to pave/screen the gravel area or restore it to the previous condition; prohibit noise amplification devices (speakers, megaphones); and limit the day camp use to 10 weeks between June and August with hours adjusted to 07:30–18:00. Roll call recorded affirmative votes and the motion carried.

What to watch: Staff said the earliest available township board meeting for final action is Feb. 10; staff will work with the applicant to submit the required materials in time for the next planning commission meeting.

Speakers quoted or cited in this article were present in the meeting record and attributed as spoken: Patrick Sloan (planning staff), Marie Minscher and Frances Abrams (applicants), Commissioner Watkins (mover), and Commissioner Singh (support).