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Charlevoix County planners recommend major revisions to Marion Township's proposed zoning changes
Summary
The commission found Marion Township's proposed amendments on home-based businesses, blight control and private airports too broad or vague, voted to send detailed staff comments, and asked Marion Township to consider resubmitting revisions for a second county review.
Charlevoix County's Planning Commission on March 5 reviewed extensive proposed zoning-text amendments from Marion Township and voted to send detailed comments urging substantial revisions and a second county review.
Planning Director Kiersten Stark told the commission the changes address three main areas: cottage industries/home-based businesses (including size limits, number of nonresident workers, building coverage and retail sales), blight control, and allowing private airports/landing strips in the Agricultural district. Stark flagged legal and practical concerns: blight is often enforced by a standalone police-power ordinance rather than through zoning because zoning may create grandfathered legal nonconforming situations; proposed deletions of municipal civil infractions language could create enforcement gaps; and allowing private airports as a permitted use without development standards lacks necessary setback, noise and screening standards.
Commissioners raised detailed objections. Chair Nancy Ferguson said, "a cottage industry is supposed to be small," and called the proposed increases in square footage and allowable nonresident workers a "red flag." Commissioner Marshal Bakker and Commissioner Sherm Chamberlain said the amendments could turn agricultural parcels into industrialized contractor yards if adequate review and standards are removed. Members recommended that private airports be treated as special uses with site development standards and that Marion Township work with legal counsel and a professional planner to craft enforceable language.
On a motion by M. Bakker, seconded by N. Ferguson, the commission voted to send the staff and commission comments to Marion Township. Commissioners then approved an amendment (moved by S. Chamberlain) asking Marion Township to consider sending revised amendments back to the County Planning Commission for a second review; that amendment and the main motion (as amended) passed on voice votes (all in favor).
Next steps: The commission's comments will be transmitted to Marion Township and the commission requested that Marion Township return revised language for a second review before adoption.
