This chapter shall be known as the "Zoning Ordinance of Egelston Township of 1982, Muskegon County, Michigan."

This chapter is adopted in accordance with Act No. 184 of the Public Acts of 1943[1] and has as its purposes the following:

For the above purpose, this chapter divides the Township into districts of such number, shape and area as the Township Board considers best suited to carry out the purposes of Act 184 of the Public Acts of 1943, as amended.[1] This chapter designates and limits the location, height, number of stories and size of dwellings, buildings and structures that may be erected or altered, the specific uses for which dwellings, buildings and structures may be erected or altered, the area of yards, courts and other open spaces, and the sanitary, safety and protective measures that shall be required for dwellings, buildings and structures. Further this chapter limits the maximum number of families which may be housed in buildings, dwellings and structures which have been erected or altered.

It is not intended by this chapter to repeal, abrogate, annul or in any way impair, or interfere with existing provisions of law, ordinance, or with any rules, regulations or premises, unless specifically repealed by this chapter, or with any private restrictions placed upon property by covenant or deed; provided, however, that where this chapter imposes a greater restriction upon the use of buildings or premises, or upon the height of buildings, or lot coverage, or requires greater lot areas or larger yards, courts or other open spaces than are imposed or required by existing provisions of law, or ordinance or by such rules, regulations or permits or by such private restrictions, the provisions of this chapter shall control.

This chapter further, in accordance with statutory authority, establishes a Zoning Board of Appeals and sets forth its functions and authority, provides for special land uses, site plan requirements, planned use development districts and in general all types of zoning legislation which is authorized by the aforementioned state statute. In the event any ambiguity in procedure or substantive matters occurs, the procedures and requirements of Act 184 of the Public Acts of 1943, as amended,[1] shall prevail and are given effect in this Township by virtue of this chapter.

The Planning Commission for the Township of Egelston has adopted the Egelston Township general development guide which is a basic plan promulgated by the Planning Commission pursuant to Act 168 of the Public Acts of 1959, as amended, MCL 125.321 et seq.[1] This chapter is enacted and it is intended to be interpreted in accordance with the said basic plan, where the development guide has an impact on zoning decisions. Every board or commission of Egelston Township which is called upon to make zoning decisions shall refer to the said general development guide in the course of its deliberation if the guide or its amendments and updated versions are relevant in any way to the substantive matters for decision.

This chapter is enacted with reasonable consideration to the character of each district set forth herein and on the Zoning Map, the particular suitability of each district for particular uses allowed and permitted therein, the conservation of property values and natural resources, and the general and appropriate trend and character of land, building and population development.