Buchanan Township City Zoning Code
ARTICLE VIII
R-4L Lakefront Residential District; R-4R Riverfront Residential District
§ 300-8.01 Description and purpose.
These regulations recognize that many lots were created and dwellings constructed before any local regulations were applied and that, as a result, there are lakefront lots that exist at a higher density than would be permitted if those lands were currently being developed. This district distinguishes between the lakes in the Township and the unique riverfront properties in using development standards unique to each setting. See § 300-8.04, concerning the R-4L Lake Residential District, and § 300-8.05, concerning the R-4R Riverfront Residential District.
§ 300-8.02 Uses permitted by right.
Buildings and structures permitted in this district may be used for the following purposes only:
Single-family dwellings.
Publicly owned and operated parks, playgrounds, and other recreational areas.
[Amended 10-21-2021 by Ord. No. 124-2021]
Adult foster care family homes for six persons or less.
Family day-care home.
Accessory structures and uses customarily incidental to the above permitted uses.
Wireless communication antenna, fixed wireless signals.
[Added 9-16-2021 by Ord. No. 123-2021]
Wireless communications antenna when attached to a lawful existing telecommunications tower, water tower, or other structure, subject to overall height restrictions.
[Added 9-16-2021 by Ord. No. 123-2021]
§ 300-8.03 Uses permitted by special use permit.
The following uses may be permitted upon approval by the Township Board of Trustees who may require special conditions after review by the Planning Commission in accordance with the provisions of this chapter relating to special use permits.
Public, social, religious and educational institutions that provide for locations of public assembly, with direct access to a county roadway, a minimum of two acres of land area.
Home occupations.
Essential services.
Bed-and-breakfast facilities.
Group day-care home.
Guesthouse.
[Added at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
§ 300-8.04 Development standards in R-4L Lakefront Residential District.
No building or structure, nor any enlargement thereof, shall be hereafter erected except in conformance with the following yard, lot area and lot coverage requirements:
Height regulations. No building or structure shall exceed 35 feet in height or 2 1/2 stories in height.
Front yard. The front yard shall be the yard between the road or right-of-way and the dwelling. There shall be a front yard of not less than 25 feet.
Side yard. For residential buildings and structures side yards shall be not less than 10 feet. Provided however, that for lots legally in existence as of January 1, 1969, with a width of less than 75 feet in the R-4L District, side yards shall be the lesser of 10 feet or 15% of the lot width, but in no case shall such side yard be less than five feet.
Rear yard. For residential buildings and structures, there shall be a minimum rear yard setback of not less than 50 feet. The rear yard shall be the yard between the ordinary high-water mark and the principal dwelling for the purpose of this chapter.
Lot area. The minimum net lot area in this district, unless specified elsewhere, shall be no less than 8,625 square feet.
Lot width. No lot or building site shall have a width at the front building line of less than 75 feet.
Minimum floor area. Each dwelling unit, unless specified elsewhere, shall have a total minimum of 864 square feet of usable floor area on the main floor.
Private dock. One private dock may be permitted, provided it meets the requirements of § 300-18.36, Docks, boathouses, and mooring facilities, of this chapter.
Access management. All developments consisting of two or more single- or two-family dwellings shall utilize shared driveways, private roads or newly dedicated public roads to provide access to their developments in order to limit curb cuts and access to primary county roadways. All new structures, parcels of land, land divisions, subdivision lots, or condominium units shall meet the requirements of § 300-18.34, Access management, of this chapter.
Grade. No change shall be made in the grade of property within the R-4L District without the submission of a site plan in accordance with Article XXIII of this chapter.
Site plan review. Site plan review and approval is required for all uses requiring a special use permit and for all site plans which contain more than two dwelling units in a single structure.
§ 300-8.05 Development standards in R-4R Riverfront Residential District.
No building or structure, nor any enlargement thereof, shall be hereafter erected except in conformance with the following yard, lot area and building coverage requirements:
Height regulations. No building or structure shall exceed 35 feet in height or 2 1/2 stories in height.
Front yard. The front yard shall be the yard between the road or right-of-way and the dwelling. There shall be a front yard of not less than 40 feet.
Side yard. For residential buildings and structures side yards shall be not less than 10 feet.
Rear yard. For residential buildings and structures, there shall be a minimum rear yard setback of not less than 50 feet. The rear yard shall be the yard between the ordinary high-water mark and the principal dwelling for the purpose of this chapter.
Lot area. The minimum net lot area in this district, unless specified elsewhere, shall be no less than 20,000 square feet.
Lot width. No lot or building site shall have a width at the front building line of less than 100 feet.
Minimum floor area. Each dwelling unit, unless specified elsewhere, shall have a total minimum of 864 square feet of usable floor area on the main floor.
Private dock. One private dock may be permitted provided it is less than six feet in width and meets all of the requirements of § 300-18.36, Docks, boathouses, and mooring facilities, of this chapter.
Public water and sewer shall be provided per water and sewer ordinance.
Access management. All developments consisting of two or more single- or two-family dwellings shall utilize shared driveways, private roads or newly dedicated public roads to provide access to their developments in order to limit curb cuts and access to primary county roadways. All new structures, parcels of land, land divisions, subdivision lots, or condominium units shall meet the requirements of § 300-18.34, Access management, of this chapter.
Grade. No change shall be made in the grade of property within the R-4R District without the submission of a site plan in accordance with Article XXIII of this chapter.
Floodplains. All habitable structures and garages shall be constructed outside the horizontal and vertical limits of the floodplain.
Site plan review. Site plan review and approval is required for all uses requiring a special use permit and for all site plans which contain more than two dwelling units in a single structure.