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Charlevoix planners flag enforcement and authority concerns on Eveline Township dock, RV and greenbelt draft rules
Summary
The Planning Commission reviewed Eveline Township's proposed zoning text amendments on common docks, temporary RV/boat occupancy and waterfront greenbelt approvals; staff warned enforcement challenges and questioned shifting discretionary approvals from the Commission to a single zoning administrator.
Charlevoix County Planning Commission members reviewed three sets of proposed Eveline Township zoning amendments at their March 6 meeting and voted to forward the Planning Department staff report and comments to the township.
Part 1: Common docks. The proposed amendment would allow two adjoining lakefront lots to share one common dock and cap the shared dock at four boats total. Planner Kiersten Stark cautioned that enforcing a four-boat limit would be difficult to administer on the water and asked what the basis for the number was; commissioners said a common dock could reduce shoreline congestion but acknowledged enforcement challenges. Commissioner Matt Cunningham recused himself from discussion and vote on this item; the motion to forward the staff report carried with Cunningham abstaining.
Part 2: Recreational vehicles and boats as seasonal dwellings. The township proposes increasing a one-time allowed RV occupancy from 30 to 40 consecutive days and currently restricts seasonal use of RVs and boats to mobile home parks and commercially zoned marinas. Staff and commissioners questioned the environmental or practical rationale for limiting seasonal use to those zones and discussed instead adding language prohibiting use of RVs or boats as short-term rentals while allowing seasonal stays where septic and pump-out options exist.
Part 3: Waterfront Greenbelt Landscaping Plans. Proposed text would let the Zoning Administrator, rather than the Planning Commission, approve Waterfront Greenbelt Landscaping Plans for all lots. Staff warned this would transfer discretionary decision-making to a single staff person and could be difficult to administer on a township with extensive Lake Charlevoix frontage.
Motions: The Commission voted to send staff reports and comments to Evelyn Township for each part (Part 1 passed with one abstention; Parts 2 and 3 were unanimous).
Why it matters: The proposed changes affect riparian access, enforcement of boat limits, seasonal recreation and who exercises discretion on waterfront modifications. Shifting decision authority to a single official reduces collective review and may affect consistency and enforcement.
What comes next: Eveline Township will consider the County's staff report and the Planning Commission's comments as it proceeds with ordinance revisions.
