The purpose of this district is to provide for limited areas within the township where more intensive, business-related agricultural activities may occur. As traditional agricultural areas have been impacted by the encroachment of residential uses, more intensive agricultural uses have become incompatible. In addition, many of the existing agricultural uses have expanded or diversified in a manner that increases this incompatibility, resulting in the need to separate these uses. This can be accomplished through a separate district with increased site development standards, such as lot area and setbacks from other residential development areas.

The following buildings and structures and uses of parcels, lots, buildings and structures are permitted in this district:

a.

General and specialized farming and agricultural activities, including, but not limited to, the raising and growing of crops, livestock, poultry and other farm animals, products and foodstuffs. Such permitted uses shall not include intensive livestock operations, agribusiness or any other use specifically listed as a special use in this ordinance.

b.

Farm dwellings, provided the parcel meets the site development requirements for the district and the owner or resident has some involvement with the agricultural operation or other permitted use.

c.

Riding academies or stables for the raising or keeping of horses, cattle, hogs, goats or other similar livestock.

d.

Family child care home.

e.

Veterinary clinic, animal hospital or similar facilities for the care of animals.

f.

An accessory building or structure.

g.

A sign, in accordance with the regulations specified in article 8.

h.

Commercial kennel for the boarding of domesticated animals.

i.

Roadside stand, provided the majority of the products to be sold are raised on the premises and any other products are consistent with the farm operation.

j.

Home occupation.

k.

Farm machinery sales, service, rental and repair, provided the repair activities on outside equipment (not used in the farm operation) does not exceed 25 percent of the total repair activity.

(Ord. No. 7-2024, § 1, 11-14-2024)

The following buildings and structures and uses of parcels, lots, buildings and structures are permitted in this district subject to obtaining a special use permit as provided in article 10:

a.

The removal, extraction or mining of minerals or other natural deposits including sand, soil, or gravel.

b.

Private airport or landing strip.

c.

High-density animal feeding or intensive livestock operations subject to the standards established by the Michigan Department of Agriculture (MDA) Generally Accepted Agricultural Management Practices (GAAMPs).

[d.—f.

Reserved.]

g.

Other agribusiness, subject to section 10.24, including, but not limited to:

1.

Bulk feed, seed or fertilizer outlet or distribution center.

2.

Grain elevator for storage, drying and sales.

3.

Grain or livestock trucking facilities.

4.

Livestock auction facilities.

5.

Dairy production and processing operations.

h.

Equestrian facilities including indoor arenas.

i.

A medical marijuana grower as authorized by Article IV of Chapter 18 of the Emmett Charter Township Code of Ordinances.

(Ord. No. 1-2018, § 4, 3-22-2018; Ord. No. 5-2018, § 4, 9-13-2018; Ord. No. 7-2024, § 1, 11-14-2024)

Editor's note— Ord. No. 7-2024, § 1, adopted Nov. 14, 2024, amended the title of § 11A.03 to read as herein set out. The former § 11A.03 title pertained to conditional uses.

a.

Lot area. No building or structure shall be established on any lot less than 40 acres.

b.

Lot width. The minimum lot width, measured at the road frontage, shall be not less than 660 feet.

c.

Lot coverage. The maximum lot coverage shall not exceed 15 percent.

d.

Minimum floor area. The minimum floor area for a one-story dwelling shall be 960 square feet. The minimum first floor area for a two-story dwelling shall be 550 square feet.

e.

Yard and setback requirements.

1.

Front yard. Not less than 75 feet from the right-of-way line, as verified by the Calhoun County Road Commission.

2.

Side yards. Least width of either side yard shall be 50 feet.

3.

Rear yard. Not less than 50 feet.

4.

No building or structure shall be located within 100 feet of any existing residence.

5.

The above requirements shall apply to all buildings and structures, but shall allow for the fencing of pasture or cropland along the parcel boundary.

f.

Height. The following height requirements shall apply in this district:

1.

Farm dwellings shall not exceed a height of three stories or 40 feet.

g.

Required off-street parking [is] subject to the provisions of article 9.