Sec. 900. The AG and AG-2 Agricultural Districts are designed to apply to the rural agricultural areas of the Township which should not develop for urban purposes in the foreseeable future. These districts are also intended to provide protection to the agricultural areas from the encroachment of untimely and unplanned urban type uses which could create use conflicts with agricultural activities and which could create a premature demand for urban services. The districts also provide for the establishment of uses which require large land areas and which, because of their nature, can be developed in rural areas. These districts are also intended to provide for single-family dwellings on parcels suitable for on-site wells and septic systems. Low density is provided for in these districts to preserve the agricultural and rural qualities of the Township and to reduce the need for public services.

(Ord. No. 44A-340, § 2(a), 11-17-20)

Sec. 901. In an Agricultural District, no building or land shall be used and no building shall be erected except for one or more of the following specified uses unless otherwise provided in this Ordinance:

1.

Farms, provided that the slaughtering of animals shall not be permitted for other than the use of and consumption by persons residing on the premises. Farms operated wholly or in part for the disposal of garbage, sewage, rubbish, offal and waste from rendering plants shall not be permitted.

2.

Private stable as an accessory use, subject to the following conditions:

a.

The lot area shall not be less than five acres.

b.

There shall be no excessive noise, or obnoxious odors, flies, or other nuisances caused by the keeping of any horses.

c.

All horses must be kept confined within a fenced area when not being ridden, under harness, or when not in their building, pen, run, corral, or other structure or permanent area.

3.

Cemeteries, provided that large deciduous or evergreen trees shall be planted adjacent to the entire perimeter of the site, not more than 50 feet on center and in accordance with Section 1907 [Section 400.1907].

4.

Churches, subject to the provisions of Section 1919 [Section 400.1919].

5.

Public, parochial and other private schools offering courses in general education, and not operated for profit, subject to the provisions of Section 1919 [Section 400.1919].

6.

Public utility and public service buildings and uses.

7.

Greenhouses.

8.

Public or private park facilities and recreation areas, golf courses and golf driving ranges, not including those covered by Section 902 [Section 400.902]; except that any ponds to be created incident to a public park facility or golf course shall be subject to special approval pursuant to Section 902 [Section 400.902].

9.

One temporary roadside stand for the purpose of selling produce raised or produced by the proprietor of the stand or his family in the course of the above agricultural pursuits, which shall not be more than one story high nor larger than 20 feet by 20 feet and which shall be located not less than 30 feet from the nearest road pavement, with the area between the pavement and the stand reserved exclusively for parking, and provided that such building shall be of such a portable construction that the building can be removed from its roadside location during the season when it is not in use as a roadside produce market.

10.

One-family detached dwellings.

11.

Private kennel as an accessory use, subject to the following conditions:

a.

There shall be no more than one dog, cat, or other household pet, six months or more old, for each one acre of total lot area up to a maximum of ten animals per lot, and any building, pen, run, kennel, or other structure or permanent area where the animals are kept or confined, must be no nearer than 200 feet to any dwelling on an adjacent lot, no nearer than 100 feet to any adjacent lot line, and no nearer to the front road right-of-way than the further between the rear building line of the dwelling on the subject lot and 100 feet. An area where the animals are allowed to exercise may extend to the front, rear, or side lot lines.

b.

There shall be no excessive noise, obnoxious odors, flies, or other nuisances caused by the keeping of any animals.

c.

All dogs, cats, or other household pets must be kept either under the absolute control of the owner or occupant of the subject lot at all times or confined within a fenced area when not in their building, pen, run, kennel, or other structure, or permanent area.

12.

Family day care homes which are registered.

13.

Accessory buildings and uses customarily incident to any of the above permitted uses.

14.

Private pools shall be permitted as an accessory use incident to a single-family dwelling within the rear yard or side yard, provided they meet the following requirements:

(a)

No swimming pool, or part thereof, shall be hereafter erected or constructed unless a building permit shall have been first issued for such work by the Township of Bedford Building Inspector.

(b)

There shall be a minimum distance of not less than ten feet between adjoining property lines, or alley right-of-way and the outside of the swimming pool wall. Side yard set-back shall apply if greater than ten feet.

(c)

There shall be a distance of not less than seven feet between the outside swimming pool wall and any building located on the same lot.

(d)

No swimming pool wall shall be located less than 35 feet from any street right-of-way line or any existing dwelling unit on abutting property.

(e)

No swimming pool shall be located in an easement.

(f)

For the protection of the general public, all areas containing swimming pools shall be completely enclosed by a fence not less than four feet in height above the surface of the ground, of chain link or equally impenetrable construction. All vertical members of said fence shall be on the swimming pool side thereof and all horizontal members shall be spaced not more than one and one-half inches apart. The gates shall be of a self-closing and latching type, with the latch on the inside of the gate and not readily available for children to open. Gates shall be capable of being securely locked. Such enclosure shall be located not more than 100 feet distant from the swimming pool. A building or masonry wall at least four feet in height may be used as all or part of such swimming pool enclosure. However, if the swimming pool is constructed above ground so that the exterior thereof is at least 44 inches above ground level, measuring perpendicularly from the top of said pool, and the exterior construction of said above-ground pool meets the minimum construction standards for pool enclosures contained in the preceding paragraph, and entry into such above-ground pool is only by means of a ladder that locks up into place when the pool is not in use, then the fence and gate required in the preceding paragraph of this Section shall not be required.

(Ord. No. 44A-107, 7-2-91; Ord. No. 44A-125, 4-5-94; Ord. No. 44A-141, 10-3-95; Ord. No. 44A-307, § 1.A., 8-16-16; Ord. No. 44A-340, § 2(b), 11-17-20)

Sec. 902. The following uses may be permitted upon making application and submitting any reasonable exhibits or information required by the Planning Commission, and after paying any fees established by the Township Board by resolution or ordinance, and after public hearing, review and approval of the site plan by the Planning Commission; and under such conditions as the Planning Commission imposes after finding that the use is not injurious to the district and environs, is not contrary to the spirit and purpose of this Ordinance, is not incompatible with already existing uses in the area, will not interfere with the orderly development of the area, would not be detrimental to the safety or convenience of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, will be served adequately by essential public facilities and services, will be consistent in assuring that the general public health, safety and welfare will not be infringed upon, and will be in compliance with all Township, County, State and Federal laws and regulations; and which, once approved, shall be deemed to authorize only one specific use, and shall expire and become null and void without further notice or action by the Planning Commission in any case where the special approval use has not been established within six months after the Planning Commission's grant of approval thereof or where the special approval use is discontinued or ceases to exist for six consecutive months or for 18 months during any three year period; and which may be revoked by the Planning Commission after it finds that any of the requirements of this Ordinance or conditions of approval are not being maintained.

1.

Commercial kennel, subject to the following conditions:

a.

A dwelling in a principal building for the person or persons operating the commercial kennel shall be located on the same lot, but any non-owner of the lot must be operating the commercial kennel for the non-owner's sole benefit and not on behalf of any person not living on the lot.

b.

The lot area shall not be less than five acres under one ownership.

c.

There shall be no more than one dog, cat, or other household pet, six months or more old, for each one-quarter acre of total lot area.

d.

Any building, pen, run, kennel, fenced area, exercise area, or other structure or permanent area where the dogs, cats, or other household pets are kept or confined, or where the animals may ever be located, must be no nearer than 200 feet to any adjacent lot line or road right-of-way.

e.

A commercial kennel must be licensed by, and comply with all requirements and directives of the Animal Control Division of the Monroe County Board of Health.

f.

No ancillary commercial uses such as grooming, retail sales of accessory items, or the like, shall be permitted.

g.

There shall be no excessive noise, or obnoxious odors, flies, or other nuisances caused by the keeping of any animals.

h.

All dogs, cats, or other household pets, must be kept confined within a building, pen, run, kennel, fenced area, exercise area, or other structure or permanent area at all times.

i.

No formal site plan shall be necessary unless otherwise required by this Ordinance. A simple plot plan or sketch showing the lot identification, (address and property card number), size of lot, dimensions of lot lines, existing improvements including fencing, proposed modifications including fencing, location of any structures on adjacent lots within 100 feet of the subject lot, and the location and names of abutting roads, streets, and alleys, filed with the Planning Commission shall be sufficient.

2.

Public stable where the only commercial or public activity involved is the boarding of horses not owned by a person living at the lot or premises where the public stable is located, subject to the following conditions:

a.

A dwelling in a principal building for the person or persons operating the public stable shall be located on the same lot, but any non-owner of the lot must be operating the commercial stable for the non-owner's sole benefit and not on behalf of any person not living on the lot.

b.

The lot area shall not be less than five acres under one ownership.

c.

Any building, pen, run, corral, or other structure or permanent area where the horses are kept or confined must be no nearer than 100 feet to any dwelling on an adjacent lot, no nearer than 35 feet to any adjacent lot line, and no nearer to the front road right-of-way than the further between the rear building line of the dwelling on the subject lot and 100 feet. A fenced area where the horses are allowed to feed, exercise, or be ridden or under harness may extend to the front, rear, or side lot lines.

d.

No ancillary commercial or public uses other than boarding, such as lessons, training, retail sales, renting of horses to other than the owner of the horse, horse shows, or the like, shall be permitted.

e.

All horses must be kept confined within a fenced area when not being ridden, under harness, or when not in their building, pen, run, corral, or other structure or permanent area.

f.

There shall be no excessive noise, or obnoxious odors, flies, or other nuisances caused by the keeping of any horses.

g.

No formal site plan shall be necessary unless otherwise required by this Ordinance. A simple plot plan or sketch showing the lot identification, (address and property card number), size of lot, dimensions of lot lines, existing improvements including fencing, proposed modifications including fencing, location of any structures on adjacent lots within 100 feet of the subject lot, and the location and names of abutting roads, streets, and alleys, filed with the Planning Commission shall be sufficient.

3.

Public stable involving more commercial or public activity than the boarding of horses not owned by a person living at the lot or premises where the public stable is located, subject to the following conditions:

a.

The lot area shall not be less than five acres under one ownership.

b.

Any building, pen, run, corral, or other structure or permanent area where the horses are kept or confined must be no nearer than 100 feet to any dwelling on an adjacent lot, no nearer than 35 feet to any adjacent lot line, and no nearer to the front road right-of-way than the further between the rear building line of any dwelling on the subject lot and 100 feet. A fenced area where the horses are allowed to feed, exercise, train, show, or be ridden or under harness may extend to the front, rear, or side lot lines.

c.

All horses must be kept confined within a fenced area when not being ridden, under harness, or when not in their building, pen, run, corral, or other structure or permanent area.

d.

There shall be no excessive noise, or obnoxious odors, flies, or other nuisances caused by the keeping of any horses.

e.

A one-family detached dwelling shall be permitted on the same lot, the location of which, and setbacks from the public stable buildings and areas for which, shall be determined upon site plan review.

f.

A full site plan is required.

4.

Summer housing, migratory labor camps subject to the following conditions:

a.

Such use shall be temporary and occur only between April 1 and November 15.

b.

Such use shall be set back at least 50 feet from any property line.

c.

All buildings or structures shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition and are furnished with a safe and sanitary water supply and with sewage disposal facilities which are no less than those required by the County of Monroe and State of Michigan Health Department.

5.

Private or public camp or recreation grounds for the use of persons seeking a temporary location for vacation or recreation purposes, subject to the following conditions:

a.

Any portable dwelling located in said area shall be seasonal in nature and shall not be used for year-round residence.

b.

Proper arrangements shall be made for water and sanitation purposes through the necessary State or County agencies.

6.

Rifle, skeet, pistol, archery or similar ranges when properly licensed by the appropriate State or County agency and subject to the following conditions:

a.

In reviewing the site plan, the Planning Commission shall determine that the activities shall be properly insulated from nearby area with respect to both noise and the control of projectiles.

7.

Veterinary hospitals or clinics, provided the use is carried on within a completely enclosed building, or shall be not closer than 200 feet to property currently occupied by a residential dwelling.

8.

Ponds as an accessory use incident to a public park facility, golf course, or single family dwelling on a parcel of land not less than five acres in size, subject to the additional procedures, provisions and requirements as provided by the Bedford Township Pond Ordinance (Bedford Township Ordinance No. 76), as may be amended.

9.

Group day care homes which are licensed subject to the following conditions:

a.

The licensed group day care home is located not closer than 1,500 feet to:

(1)

Another licensed group day care home;

(2)

An adult foster care small group home or large group home licensed by the State;

(3)

A facility offering substance abuse treatment and rehabilitation service to seven or more people licensed under Article 6 of the Public Health Code; or,

(4)

A community correction center, resident home, halfway house or other similar facility that houses an inmate population under the jurisdiction of the Michigan Department of Corrections.

b.

Any outdoor play area shall be enclosed by a fence that conforms to the applicable requirements of Section 1912 [Section 400.1912]. At its discretion, the Planning Commission may require that a fence be constructed from certain materials to assure the adequacy of proposed screening.

c.

The dwelling unit and yard areas shall be maintained in a manner that is consistent with the character of the neighborhood. Play equipment shall not be located in the front yard, except in the case of a corner lot. In the case of a corner lot, the operator may designate one front yard for use as outdoor play area.

d.

One identification sign shall be permitted. Such sign shall be subject to the requirements of Section 1924.1 [Section 400.1924.1].

e.

In addition to the parking required for the dwelling unit, one off-street parking space shall be provided for each nonfamily employee of the group day care home. A driveway may be used to fulfill this requirement.

f.

The Planning Commission retains the right to grant special approval to a group day care home that does not meet all of the above conditions upon finding that the public health, safety and welfare of the Township residents will not be negatively impacted by such waiver.

10.

Child care centers subjects to the following conditions:

a.

No portion of a child care center shall be located within 300 feet of any gasoline pumps, underground storage tanks, or any other explosive material.

b.

One parking space shall be provided for each employee working during the largest shift plus one space of each eight children the facility is licensed to receive for care at any one time.

c.

A child loading/unloading area shall be provided to the Planning Commission to assure safe access to the facility and the adequacy of parking areas and maneuvering lanes to circulate peak hour traffic.

d.

On-site traffic circulation shall be restricted to a one-way traffic flow, where possible.

e.

Any on-site outdoor play area shall be enclosed by a fence that conforms to the applicable requirements of Section 1912 [400.1912].

f.

Any facility boundary which abuts property which is residentially used or zoned shall be screened according to the provisions of Section 1911 [Section 400.1911], subsections c. and h. and any other applicable regulations.

g.

Signs shall conform to the applicable requirements of Section 1922 [Section 400.1922].

11.

Accessory buildings and uses customarily incident to any of the above permitted uses.

(Ord. No. 44A-19, 1-22-80; Ord. No. 44A-107, 7-2-91; Ord. No. 44A-124, 3-22-94; Ord. No. 44A-125, 4-5-94; Ord. No. 44A-141, 10-3-95; Ord. No. 44A-228, 12-16-03; Ord. No. 44A-340, § 2(d), 11-17-20)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 44A-340, §§ 2(c) and 2(d), adopted November 17, 2020, repealed the former section 400.902, renumbering §§ 400.903 and 400.904 as §§ 400.902 and 400.903. The former § 400.902 pertained to principal uses permitted subject to conditional provisions and derived from Ord. No. 44A-228, adopted December 16, 2003. The historical notation remains with the renumbered provisions.

Sec. 903. See Article XVIII, Schedule of Regulations limiting the height and bulk of buildings, the minimum size of lot permitted by land use, the maximum density permitted, and providing minimum yard setback requirements.

(Ord. No. 44A-228, 12-16-03; Ord. No. 44A-340, § 2(e), 11-17-20)

Editor's note— See the editor's note to § 400.902.