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Cascade Charter Township panel approves 1,200‑sq‑ft accessory building at 3758 Cherry Lane SE
Summary
The Cascade Charter Township Planning Commission approved a type 1 special‑use permit on May 4 for a 1,200‑square‑foot accessory building at 3758 Cherry Lane SE, finding the application met zoning criteria and adding conditions that work begin within 12 months and the permit will not transfer with a future sale.
The Cascade Charter Township Planning Commission on May 4 approved a type 1 special‑use permit allowing a 1,200‑square‑foot accessory building at 3758 Cherry Lane SE, subject to conditions requiring construction to begin within 12 months, adherence to the attached site plan, lighting that complies with township standards, and a prohibition on use as a home occupation or accessory dwelling.
Staff recommended approval, saying the application met most zoning criteria. "Under 17.03.1(a) we find that the application meets seven of the eight criteria," Kevin Garcia, interim planner with McKenna, told the commission, noting the pole barn would be set back more than 200 feet from the right‑of‑way.
Commissioners asked about lot layout, topography and notice to neighbors. Garcia acknowledged he had not included a fuller site plan in the packet and apologized; he said notices go to the recorded property owner at the time notices are mailed, which can mean a recently sold parcel might not receive the mailed notice.
The property owner, who testified during the public hearing, said the pole barn is primarily for gardening and equipment storage and was placed near existing garden beds and fruit trees because of driveway access and steep grades elsewhere on the 18.5‑acre lot. "The pole barn is mostly for gardening, lawnmower, that kind of thing," the owner said, adding they planned to paint it to match the house.
A member of the public, Scott VanSalkama of Orange Court, urged the commission to fully implement the new zoning ordinance that staff and the board have been transitioning to, arguing the previous rules created unnecessary hurdles for routine, low‑impact projects. "By any reasonable standard, this is an extremely low impact, compatible and entirely predictable use of rural residential property," VanSalkama said.
Commissioner 4 moved to approve case 26‑3915 with the conditions recommended by staff and the additional requirement that construction must be started within 12 months and that the permit does not transfer with a sale of the property; Commissioner 2 seconded. The motion carried by voice vote.
The approval resolves the special‑use request for the accessory building, with the commission recording the conditions and requiring the project conform generally to the approved site plan. The meeting proceeded to other business and adjourned later that evening.
