Canton trustees approve Camp Mirage summer day‑camp at Friendship Church with temporary fencing condition

The Charter Township of Canton Board of Trustees voted to approve a special land‑use for Camp Mirage, a summer day camp operating at Friendship Church (planning application PZ25‑00006), subject to conditions that include temporary fencing to enclose outdoor play areas and measures to limit noise and protect neighboring properties.

Planning staff explained the township’s zoning ordinance does not specifically define "day camp," so staff applied the most similar defined use — a childcare center — and recommended that temporary fencing be used to delineate outdoor activity areas and maintain a 25‑foot setback from adjacent residential properties. Patrick Sloan, community planner, explained staff recommended a roughly 70‑linear‑foot area of additional temporary fencing on the southeast corner to create an eastern boundary and reduce spillover into gravel areas.

Camp representatives asked for practical flexibility. "We are not a childcare center. We are a summer day camp, and there is no ordinance actually for a summer day camp," said Jill Engel, Camp Mirage director of development, noting the Planning Commission’s recommendation and that applicants had worked with staff for months. Marie Mincher, co‑owner of Camp Mirage Canton, said the applicant has already opened registration and has 107 orders placed. She warned that the proposed snow‑fence placement would obstruct daily dumpster access and could conflict with state summer day‑camp licensing and emergency access; she asked the board to allow administrative flexibility and to minimize operational interference.

Board members and staff discussed options to meet health and safety and operations needs. Staff said the temporary vinyl roll snow fence could be adjusted or moved to allow trash pickup and truck access and that other screenings (evergreens, curbs, berms) on parts of the site reduced the need for fencing in those areas. The applicant agreed to prohibit amplified sound, limit operational hours, and work with staff to ensure dumpster access.

The Planning Commission had recommended approval with conditions; the board voted to approve Resolution 2026‑9 granting the special land‑use, with the fencing and noise mitigation measures described in staff recommendations and subject to administrative coordination to allow for trash pickup and emergency access.

Next steps: the applicant will finalize operational details with township staff and follow any administrative conditions; the Zoning Board of Appeals remains available if the applicant seeks variance relief from specific ordinance provisions.