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Commission postpones special‑use review for Friendship Church summer day camp over buffer, surfacing and noise questions
Summary
The commission postponed a special‑use request for a summer day camp operated at Friendship Church after staff identified a newly surfaced gravel area that removed a natural buffer, and neighbors raised concerns about noise amplification and traffic; applicants agreed to limit amplification and supply required site details.
Canton Township planning commissioners postponed action on a special‑use application for a summer day camp at Friendship Church after staff and neighbors raised concerns about buffers, an area of recent gravel placement, and past amplified noise.
Staff advised that the camp—because children are dropped off for supervised full‑day programming—meets the zoning definition of a childcare center and therefore requires special‑use review in the R‑3 district. Staff noted several items the applicant must document: a fenced or screened outdoor play area, required 25‑foot setbacks and demonstration that any previously placed gravel in the southeast garage area complies with surfacing rules (gravel is not an acceptable permanent parking surface under township code).
Scott Peterson, representing Friendship Church, said the church and Camp Mirage learned the requirements during staff review and that the camp averaged around 50–60 children per week last summer, organized into smaller rotating groups. Camp Mirage representatives said they will stop using bullhorns for amplified announcements and will work with staff to delineate play areas and buffer plantings. Camp Mirage co‑founder Frances Abrams said the program filled a demonstrable need: “In 2024, there were almost 200 Canton families going to Plymouth for this summer day camp,” she said, and the local camp aims to serve families closer to home.
Neighbors asked the commission to ensure the proposed program and the church’s recent site changes do not reduce the existing tree buffer between the church and adjacent houses, and asked that Salts Road not be used as an additional entrance during weekdays. Planning staff recommended postponement so the applicant can submit updated site plans, buffer/screening details, and compliant surfacing documentation for the area east of the garage. The commission voted to postpone, and staff will work with the applicant and neighbors on required changes.
Next steps: the applicant will provide site‑plan materials showing play areas and fencing, surfacing/parking compliance for the gravel area, and operational limits on amplification and hours of operation for summer sessions. The commission will re‑review once the materials demonstrate compliance with the special‑use standards.
