The residential - agricultural district is intended primarily to accommodate residential development at a low density for residents who prefer exurban, estate living and are willing to assume the costs and effort of providing many of their own services and amenities. It is intended that the principal use of the land be for single-family dwellings, although agricultural uses are permitted, recognizing the rural character of many areas zoned R-1.0. The standards in this district are intended to assure that the residential and agricultural uses peacefully coexist.

It is intended that developments in this district be designed to preserve significant natural features. Preservation of open space, protection of flood-prone areas, protection of wooded areas, and preservation of other natural features is encouraged.

A.

Principal uses and structures. In all areas zoned R-1.0, residential - agricultural, no 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 principal uses and structures permitted in the R-0.5 single-family residential district as specified in section 24.02, subsection A.

2.

Open space preservation option, pursuant to section 19.03, subsection F.

3.

Farm buildings, as defined in article 3.00.

4.

Farms, as defined in section 3.02, and subject to the guidelines in section 19.02, subsection L.

5.

Farm markets and roadside stands, as defined in section 3.02, and subject to the guidelines in section 19.02, subsection BB.

6.

Agricultural tourism, as defined in section 3.02, and subject to the guidelines in section 19.02, subsection II, with only agriculturally-related uses, as defined in section 3.02.

7.

Agriculturally related uses, as defined in section 3.02.

8.

Storage or wholesale marketing, or processing of agricultural products into a value-added agricultural product.

9.

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

10.

Hobby farms, subject to the requirements in section 19.02, subsection L.

11.

Private kennels, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection R.

12.

Private stables and riding arenas, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection DD.

13.

Home occupations subject to the provisions in section 12.05.

14.

State licensed residential facilities, subject to the regulations in Section 206 of Public Act 110 of 2006, as amended, which are permitted in all residential zones and not subject to a special use permit different from those required for other dwellings of a similar density.

15.

Roof-mounted small wind energy systems, subject to the standards in section 19.02, subsection KK.

16.

Essential services, subject to the provisions in section 12.14.

17.

Uses and structures accessory to the above, subject to the provisions in article 18.00.

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 by the planning commission and township board; any special conditions imposed by the planning commission or township board that are necessary to fulfill the purposes of this Ordinance; and, the provisions set forth in article 6.00:

1.

An accessory apartment subject to the provisions in section 19.03, subsection F[G].

2.

Nursing homes and convalescent homes, subject to the standards in section 19.02, subsection V.

3.

An accessory apartment subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection A.

4.

Bed and breakfast establishments, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection G.

5.

Municipal buildings and uses.

6.

Public, parochial, and other private elementary, intermediate, or high schools licensed by the State of Michigan to offer courses in general education.

7.

Public or private colleges, universities and other such institutions of higher learning, offering courses in general, technical or religious education.

8.

State licensed residential facilities which require a special use permit, subject to the regulations in Section 206 of Public Act 110 of 2006, as amended, and child care centers; these uses are subject to the provisions in section 19.02.O.

9.

Cemeteries, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection I.

10.

Religious institutions, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection AA.

11.

Public or private golf courses, including country clubs and driving ranges, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection N.

12.

Commercial stables and riding arenas, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection DD.

13.

Commercial kennels, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection R.

14.

Veterinary clinics, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection FF.

15.

Sales and service establishments when located with direct access to a major thoroughfare, provided that any such establishment is engaged in the performance of agricultural, animal husbandry, or horticultural services on a fee or contract basis, including the following services: sorting, grading and packing of fruits and vegetables for growers; agricultural product storage, milling and processing; grain cleaning; harvesting and plowing; and, farm equipment sales and service.

16.

Airports and related uses, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection C, but not including private landing strips or helicopter pads.

17.

Radio and television transmitting and receiving towers, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection Y.

18.

Oil and gas processing facilities, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection W.

19.

Sand and gravel extraction, subject to the provisions in section 19.02, subsection CC.

20.

Landscaping contractor's operation, when accessory to a plant nursery operation on the site, provided that:

a.

All vehicles and equipment shall be stored in a fully-enclosed building.

b.

Heavy construction equipment, such as bulldozers and front-loaders, shall not be stored or used on the site. In addition, there shall be no tracked vehicles, and the size of front loaders and similar equipment shall be limited to a one yard bucket.

c.

There shall be no outside storage or stock piling of materials or debris, other than peat, bark, stone and similar raw materials normally used in the nursery/landscaping business. Such materials shall be screened so they are not visible from any property line.

d.

Building contractors, road contractors, and similar operations are prohibited.

e.

No more than ten percent of the total site area shall be occupied by buildings, storage, parking, or other facilities associated with the landscaping contractor's operations.

f.

The planning commission shall have the authority to establish hours of operation so as to minimize the impact of the facility on nearby residential uses.

21.

Reserved.

22.

A model home to promote sales in new subdivisions, subject to the provisions in section 19.03, subsection E.

23.

Funeral homes or mortuaries, subject to the requirements in section 19.02, subsection M, and the following additional requirements:

a.

The minimum parcel size for funeral homes and mortuaries shall be four acres.

b.

Mortuaries and funeral homes shall be located on and have direct access to a paved thoroughfare. Direct access to a local residential street shall be prohibited.

c.

The nearest edge of a driveway serving a mortuary or funeral home shall not be closer than 25 feet to any parcel that is zoned or used for residential purposes.

d.

Funeral homes and mortuaries shall comply with the setback requirements specified in the Schedule of Regulations, article 36.00.

e.

Funeral homes and mortuaries shall comply with the parking requirements specified in section 14.01, subsection C, except that all parking shall be located to the rear of the principal building.

f.

At least one off-street loading space shall be provided, which shall be located at the rear of the building, fully screened from view from any adjoining residentially-used or zoned properties.

g.

In addition to a principal building containing the funeral home or mortuary, in the R-1.0 district one single-family detached dwelling unit may be permitted for the use of the proprietor of the funeral home and his/her family, subject to the following conditions:

(1)

Any such single-family dwelling shall comply with the setback and other dimensional requirements of the district.

(2)

Any such single-family dwelling shall be located on the parcel so that full compliance with the ordinance would be feasible if the parcel is eventually divided, placing the dwelling on a separate parcel.

h.

Exterior lighting shall comply with the following requirements:

(1)

Lighting fixtures shall be a cut-off design so as to limit any light above the horizontal plane and beyond the property line.

(2)

Lighting fixtures shall have a maximum height of 20 feet.

(3)

The average level of illumination in parking areas shall be one footcandle measured at the surface, with an average/minimum uniformity ratio not exceeding 6:1, and a maximum/minimum uniformity ratio not exceeding 10:1. A photometric grid shall be submitted with the site plan to illustrate lighting levels.

24.

Tower-mounted small wind energy systems, subject to the standards in section 19.02 subsection KK.

25.

Small wine smakers and hard cider producers, subject to a minimum lot size of five acres and the regulations in section 19.02.NN.

26.

Small distillers, subject to a minimum lot size of five acres and the regulations in section 19.02.OO.

27.

Campgrounds, subject to the requirements in section 19.02, subsection Z.1.c.

28.

Agricultural tourism, as defined in section 3.02, and subject to the guidelines in section 19.02, subsection II, involving non-agriculturally related uses or event facility rental space.

(Ord. No. 09-12, pt. 2(exh. A), 11-5-2012; Ord. No. 05-13, pt. 4, 11-4-2013; Ord. No. 07-13, pts. 4, 5, 11-4-2013; Ord. No. 193-18, § 4, 5-7-2018; Ord. No. 195-18, § 3, 6-4-2018; Ord. No. 12-20, § 5, 1-4-2021; Ord. No. 01-21, § 2, 2-1-2021)

A.

Site plan review. Site plan review and approval is required for all uses except detached single-family residential uses, in accordance with article 4.00.

The following chart indicates the proposed status of farm-related uses with respect to principal or special land use and the need for site plan review.

¹  If the facility contains non-agriculturally related uses then special land use review shall be required.

²  Administrative review only if there are no buildings proposed. If buildings are proposed then planning commission approval shall be required.

³  Administrative review only.

⁴  Planning commission approval required.

⁵  Building department approval required.

⁶  Hobby farms may be located in the R-0.3 and R-0.5 districts, as well as the R-1.0 district.

B.

Area, height, bulk, and placement requirements. Buildings and uses in the residential - agricultural district are subject to the area, height, bulk, and placement requirements in article 36.00, Schedule of Regulations.

C.

Planned development. Planned development may be permitted as a means to achieve the basic intent of this district, in accordance with the guidelines in article 7.00.

D.

Single-family development options. Subject to special use approval as set forth in article 6.00, single-family development in the R-1.0 residential - agricultural district may be developed in accordance with the average lot size or single-family cluster options in section 19.03, subsection B.

E.

General development standards. Buildings and uses in the residential - agricultural district shall be subject to all applicable standards and requirements set forth in this Ordinance, including the following:

(Ord. No. 09-12, pt. 2(exh. A), 11-5-2012)