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Harrison Township planner previews zoning overhaul to ban short-term rentals and limit group homes
Summary
Township Planner Adam Young presented proposed zoning ordinance amendments that would prohibit short-term rentals, create a residential clustering option to preserve open space, permit smaller lots in select single-family districts, and bar adult foster care small group homes from R1-C and R1-D. Commissioners suggested edits and a resident objected to low-income housing and Airbnbs.
Adam Young, Harrison Township planner, on July 17 presented a package of proposed zoning ordinance amendments that would define and prohibit short-term rentals, add a 'residential clustering option' to enable attached units in single-family districts to preserve open space, adjust lot-area and impervious-surface standards in the R1-C and R1-D districts to allow smaller lots, and prohibit adult foster care small group homes in those R1 districts.
The planner said the draft would also rename the RM-1 zoning district from 'multiple family residential' to 'attached/townhouse residential' and remove multiple-family apartment buildings from RM-1. The proposal adds new regulations for adult foster care and proposes minor revisions to existing rules for group day care homes. Young told commissioners that future discussions could include zoning district map changes, amendments to the site-plan review process, required parking formulas for residential and residential-care uses, and a critical evaluation of the planned unit development option.
Member Danielle Devlin urged the commission to reconsider the proposed five-year limit for some temporary uses, saying the commissioners believe "five years is too long." Member Amanda Oparka recommended adjusting draft language or regulations related to hedgerows on waterfront properties.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, resident C. William Bardill of 37865 Pointe Rosa said he opposes low-income housing at Union Lake and Shook Road and said the township should not allow Airbnbs in residential neighborhoods. The minutes record his statements but do not show any formal proposal or vote tied to that public comment.
Mr. Young also reported that the July Tech Team reviewed two cases earlier in the month: a discussion-only review of a proposed propane-filling station at Ace Hardware, and approval of minor facade changes at a Comerica Bank branch. The minutes do not provide additional technical details about those projects.
The commission completed routine business on unanimous procedural motions recorded without roll-call tallies: Member Danielle Devlin moved and Member Amanda Oparka seconded approval of the meeting agenda; Member Larry Tomenello moved and Member Tim Duncan seconded approval of the June 18, 2025 minutes. Member Tim Duncan moved to adjourn; Member Amanda Oparka seconded and the meeting adjourned at 8:34 p.m. The commission set its next meeting for August 21, 2025.
