The intent of the residential estate district and the rural residential district is to provide areas of the township for orderly residential growth on estate size lots or low density rural acreage lands as well as agricultural uses, and other compatible uses which typically occupy large open land areas. The standards in these districts are intended to assure that permitted uses peacefully coexist in a very low density setting. Furthermore, the intent of these districts is to preserve the rural-like features and character of certain portions of the township. Planned development may be permitted as a means to achieve the basic intent of these districts, in accordance with the guidelines in section 27.04.

A.

Principal uses and structures. In all areas zoned RE, residential estate, or RR, rural residential, no building or part of a building shall be erected, used, or structurally altered, nor shall the land or premises be used in whole or in part, except for one or more of the following principal permitted uses:

1.

All permitted uses and structures in the single-family residential districts as specified in section 11.02, subsection A.

2.

Uses and structures accessory to the above, subject to the provisions in section 2.03.

3.

Idle cropland, provided that such land is maintained so as to prevent the erosion of soil by wind or water.

B.

Special land uses. The following uses may be permitted by the township board, subject to the conditions specified for each use; review and approval of the site plan and application by the planning commission and township board; the imposition of special conditions which, in the opinion of the planning commission or township board, are necessary to fulfill the purposes of this ordinance; and, the provisions set forth in section 27.03.

1.

Accessory apartments, as defined in section 1.03, subject to the following conditions:

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Minimum lot size: Two acres.

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Design characteristics: The design of the accessory apartment shall not detract from the single-family character and appearance of the principal residence or the surrounding neighborhood.

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Floor area: The accessory apartment shall be clearly incidental to the principal residence on the parcel. Accordingly, the total floor area of the accessory apartment shall not exceed 600 square feet.

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Parking: In addition to the parking required for the principal residence, one additional off-street parking space shall be provided for the accessory apartment.

2.

A guesthouse, as defined in section 1.03.

3.

Cemeteries on parcels ten acres or larger, except that pet cemeteries may be established on parcels six acres or larger.

4.

Religious institutions, subject to the provisions in section 6.02, subsection U.

5.

Public or private golf courses, including country clubs, subject to the provisions in section 6.02, subsection I.

6.

Essential services, subject to the provisions in section 2.16, subsection A.

7.

Commercial stables and riding academies, subject to the provisions in section 6.02, subsection X.

8.

Private outdoor recreation uses, such as archery ranges, baseball, football or soccer fields, motorcross (BMX) tracks, court sports facilities, golf driving ranges, swimming pools, and similar outdoor recreation uses, subject to the provisions in section 6.02, subsection R.

9.

Raising or growing of plants, trees, shrubs, and nursery stock, including any buildings or structures used for such activities or for the storage of equipment and materials necessary for such activities.

10.

Private kennels, subject to the provisions in section 6.02, subsection K.

11.

Private stables, subject to the provisions in section 6.02, subsection X.

12.

Uses and structures accessory to the above, subject to the provisions in section 2.03.

13.

The following uses may be permitted in the RR, rural residential district but not in the RE, rural estate district:

a.

Agricultural sales and service establishments when located adjacent to a major thoroughfare with a right-of-way of 204 feet or greater, and provided further that such establishments are engaged primarily in the performance of agricultural, animal husbandry, or horticultural services on a fee or contract basis, including any of the following services: corn shelling; hay baling and thrashing; sorting, grading, and packing of fruits and vegetables for growers; agricultural product storage; milling and processing; crop dusting; fruit picking; grain cleaning; land grading; harvesting and plowing; farm equipment sales and service; and veterinary services.

b.

The growing, stripping, and removal of sod, provided that all stripped land shall be reseeded by fall of the year in which it was stripped so as to prevent the erosion of soil by wind or water.

c.

Roadside stands for the display and sale of produce in accordance with section 6.02, subsection V.

14.

Bed and breakfast establishments, subject to provisions in section 6.02, subsection D.1.

A.

Site plan review. Site plan review and approval is required for all uses except detached single-family residential uses in accordance with section 27.02.

B.

Area, height, bulk, and placement requirements. Buildings and uses in the residential estate district are subject to the area, height, bulk, and placement requirements in article 26.00, Schedule of Regulations.

C.

Planned development. Planned development may be permitted in the residential estate district subject to the standards and approval requirements set forth in section 27.04.

D.

General development standards. Buildings and uses in the residential estate district shall be subject to all applicable standards and requirements set forth in this ordinance, as specified below and more generally in section 8.06.