The purpose of the RD Resource Development District is to provide for the arrangement of land uses that are compatible with the conservation and preservation of large tracts of land presently having a most desirable natural environment, which should not be disturbed except minimally, for natural habitat for wildlife, native flora, natural water features, including extensive wetlands and high water table soils, and other extensive land uses which retain the natural character of the area. Single-family homes on exceptionally large lots will be provided for if the spacing of such homes is great enough to adequately handle on-site septic tanks and wells. This area will remain unserved by public sewer and water systems.

(Ord. of 11-12-1987, § 4.01)

A.

Existing types of farming and related agricultural operations may continue and the same types of farming may be established in new locations within the District on at least 20 acres of contiguous land and developed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the AR District.

B.

Nonfarm single-family dwellings, on at least ten acres of contiguous land which can accommodate on-site septic tanks and wells which meet the approval of the County Health Department.

C.

Those uses permitted under the provisions of:

1.

Part 303 of Public Act No. 451 of 1994 (MCL 324.30301 et seq.) on wetland protection;

2.

Part 31 of Public Act No. 451 of 1994 (MCL 324.3101 et seq.) on water resources conservation (those sections specific to floodplains); and

3.

Part 301 of Public Act No. 451 of 1994 (MCL 324.30101 et seq.) on inland lakes and streams.

D.

Public and private conservation areas, including necessary structures, to ensure the preservation of water, soil, forest, wildlife, minerals, and open space, which are located on an area of at least 20 contiguous acres of land.

E.

Essential services as provided in Section 16.19.

F.

Family day care homes as provided in Section 16.41.

G.

Foster care homes housing six or fewer persons as provided in Section 16.41A.

H.

Single-family housing in Open Space and Rural Preservation Developments as provided in Section 16.50.

(Ord. of 11-12-1987, § 4.02; Amd. No. 38, § 2, 11-14-2002)

The following special uses of land, buildings and structures are permitted in the RD Resource Development District, subject to the provisions of Article XIII, "Special Uses":

A.

Public and private areas for nature study, forest preserves, hunting and fishing reservations, game refuges, fishing, boating, and other water-related activity sites, extensive passive recreation facilities related to the natural environment, organized camping and campgrounds which are located on an area of at least 20 contiguous acres of land.

B.

Public and private areas to preserve natural open space, natural vistas, geological features, archaeological sites and other significant natural and historical features and sites which are located on an area of at least 20 contiguous acres of land.

C.

Public, private or pet cemeteries which are located on an area of at least 20 contiguous acres of land.

D.

Public and private areas for golf courses, parks, playgrounds, resorts, recreational vehicle parks and swimming pools and court game clubs that are located on at least 20 contiguous acres of land, as provided in Section 13.26.

E.

Wireless communication structures as provided in Section 13.24.

F.

Temporary mobile homes located outside of mobile home parks, including trailers, motor homes, and recreational vehicles as provided in Section 13.10.

G.

Temporary transient amusement enterprises as provided in Section 13.12.

H.

Sanitary landfills as provided in Section 13.14.

I.

Extraction of sand, gravel, rock, and minerals which are located on at least 20 contiguous acres of land planned, operated and maintained in accordance with Section 13.15.

J.

Housing of elderly as provided in Section 13.19.

K.

Group day care homes as provided in Section 13.22.

L.

Commercial kennels may be operated and maintained in accordance with Section 13.23.

M.

Solar farms as provided in Section 13.27.

(Ord. of 11-12-1987, § 4.03; Amd. No. 12, § 7, 11-11-1993; Amd. No. 41, § 2, 7-8-2004; Amd. No. 81, § 4, 5-11-2017; Amd. No. 84, § 5, 11-9-2017)

A.

Buildings and structures customarily incidental to the operation of a principal use permitted in this District.

B.

Signs related to the permitted principal uses in this District, provided that all such signs shall conform to the requirements of Article XIX, "Sign Regulations."

C.

Home occupations and home businesses as provided in Section 16.21 of this Zoning Ordinance.

D.

Private residential swimming pools in conformance with the provisions of Section 16.20 located on the same lot or parcel with the principal residential structure.

E.

Farm vehicle and implement repair and maintenance in conjunction with farming or other principal agricultural use located on the same parcel.

F.

Herbicide, insecticide and fertilizer sales and application in conjunction with a farming or other principal agricultural use located on the same parcel.

G.

Grain, feed, cold and other storage of agricultural products in conjunction with farming or other principal agricultural use located on the same parcel.

H.

Sales of seed and other product sales in conjunction with farming or other principal agricultural use located on the same parcel.

(Ord. of 11-12-1987, § 4.04)

A.

Roadside Stands. In the RD Resource Development District each farm may have one roadside stand for the purpose of selling produce or other products principally raised or produced on that farm in the course of its permitted agricultural activity. The stand shall be located and constructed to meet the following requirements:

1.

The structure shall not be more than one story in height.

2.

The floor area shall not be more than 400 square feet.

3.

The stand shall be located no closer than 40 feet from the nearest highway pavement or other traveled surface. In no case shall the stand occupy any part of the right-of-way.

B.

Mobile Homes as Accessory Dwellings. Mobile homes as accessory dwellings shall be permitted as follows:

1.

Permitted on 40 acres or more of land used for agricultural production with the following conditions:

(a)

The parcel has a principal farm dwelling located on it.

(b)

The farm parcel is at least 40 acres in area for the first mobile home, and an additional 40 acres for each additional mobile home.

(c)

The occupants meet either one of the following conditions:

(1)

Have a family relationship to those persons occupying the principal farm dwelling.

(2)

A full-time employee of the occupants of the principal farm dwelling and engaged in an agricultural occupation on the farm on which the mobile home is located.

2.

Permitted on a single-family residential lot with the following conditions:

(a)

The lot has a principal single-family dwelling located upon it.

(b)

The lot is a legal lot of record.

(c)

The occupants have family relationship to those persons occupying the principal dwelling.

(d)

The occupants have a need as determined by their acquisition of a physician's certification prescribing the need for such housing during the period of illness or infirmity.

3.

Mobile homes permitted under Subsections B.1 and B.2 above shall also meet the following additional conditions:

(a)

Mobile homes used for this purpose shall be limited to only one per single-family residential lot or one for each 40 acres of farm parcel.

(b)

Mobile homes shall have a minimum dimension of 12 feet in width and 700 square feet of mobile home floor area.

(c)

Mobile homes used for this purpose shall have immediate and unlimited access to all facilities located in the principal dwelling or on the farm or single-family residential lot for the maintenance of proper health and sanitation, including potable water and sanitary disposal facilities for solid and liquid wastes.

(d)

All accessory mobile homes shall be located within the appropriate setback lines for the yard in which they are located, except that no accessory mobile home shall be located in a front yard of a principal dwelling.

(e)

Zoning permits shall be approved by the Planning Commission and reviewed annually thereafter for continued need and compliance.

(f)

Zoning permits issued for such use shall terminate at such time that any one or combination of the above conditions ceases to be met.

(g)

Prior to the issuance of a zoning permit the owners of the principal use shall post a financial guaranty with the Township in accordance with Section 16.22B for each mobile home for which a permit is sought.

C.

Noncommercial Kennels. Those lots or parcels which are in conformance with this Zoning District can have a maximum of five dogs over six months of age provided the applicant and kennel comply with the conditions set forth in Section 16.46.

(Ord. of 11-12-1987, § 4.05; Amd. No. 5, § 4, 12-13-1990; Amd. No. 12, § 4, 11-11-1993)

A.

Lot Area. A permitted parcel shall have a minimum of 20 acres in area, except as otherwise may be provided in this Ordinance.

B.

Lot Width. Minimum of 200 feet at the building setback line.

C.

Lot Coverage. Maximum of 20 percent.

D.

Floor Area. The minimum first floor area of a one-story dwelling, 960 square feet; and for a two-story dwelling, 700 square feet; and a minimum total of 960 square feet for both stories.

E.

Yard and Setback Requirements.

1.

Front Yard. Minimum of 50 feet from the road right-of-way line, except as required by the Master Plan for Roads and Highways, whichever is greater.

2.

Side Yards. Minimum of 20 feet for each side yard, except where a side yard abuts a road right-of-way line, the minimum shall be 50 feet.

3.

Rear Yard. Minimum of 50 feet.

F.

Height Limitations. Maximum of 35 feet for all dwellings and a maximum of 25 feet for all buildings accessory to dwellings; maximum of 45 feet for all agricultural buildings, except for grain elevators, silos, and windmills which shall not exceed 120 feet in height.

(Ord. of 11-12-1987, § 4.06; Amd. No. 30, § 1, 8-8-1996)