A.

The intent of the RO research office district is to provide locations in the township to accommodate offices, laboratories, and related "high tech" uses, involved in such activities as engineering, design, research and development, robotics research, prototype development, demonstration and display laboratories, testing laboratories, and other research and high technology activities of similar character and intensity.

B.

It is intended that such uses be located in attractive buildings on amply landscaped, carefully planned sites, preserving significant natural features. Operations that generate high levels of noise, heat or glare, air pollution, odors, wastewater, or truck traffic, are not considered appropriate in this district.

A.

Principal uses and structures. In all areas zoned RO research office district, 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, unless otherwise permitted in this Ordinance:

1.

Research, development, design, testing, technical training, and related activities for industrial, scientific, educational, and business enterprises.

2.

Laboratories for research, development and testing.

3.

Offices for the following occupations: Executive, administrative, and professional, including architecture, planning, engineering and engineering sales, but excluding medical and dental offices.

4.

Data processing and computer centers, including computer programming and software development, training, and service of electronic data processing equipment.

5.

Telecommunications companies engaged in electronic transfer, routing, and processing of information.

6.

Prototype manufacturing facilities for engineering, laboratory, scientific, electronic, and research instruments and equipment.

7.

Essential services, subject to the provisions in section 12.14.

8.

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 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 in article 6.00.

1.

Medical offices and clinics and medical research facilities.

2.

Corporate education and training facilities.

3.

Accessory retail or service uses that are intended to primarily serve the occupants and patrons of the principal use; provided that, any such uses shall be incidental uses occupying no more than five percent of the floor space in the building in which the uses are located. Permitted accessory retail and service uses shall be limited to the following:

a.

Retail establishments that deal directly with the consumer and generally serve the convenience shopping needs of workers and visitors, such as convenience stores and pharmacies.

b.

Personal service establishments that are intended to serve workers and visitors in the district, such as dry cleaning establishments, travel agencies, tailor shops, and similar establishments.

c.

Restaurants, cafeterias, and other places serving food and beverages for consumption within the building, but excluding drive-in and drive-through service.

d.

Financial institutions, including but not limited to: Banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations.

e.

Corporate fitness centers.

f.

Child day care centers.

4.

Light industrial uses which have as an accessory function light manufacturing, assembly, fabrication, or machining from processed materials, where such activities involve high technology industrial uses such as, but not limited to: Agricultural technology, biological or pharmaceutical research, software technology, telecommunications, biomedical technology, fluid transfer and handling, defense and aerospace technology, and other emerging high technology industries.

5.

A use having the same character and intensity as those uses listed in this district as either principal permitted uses or special land uses, upon finding that any such proposed use, if permitted, would be consistent with the purpose and intent of the research office district and would not impair the use and development of other nearby properties.

A.

Required conditions. Except as otherwise noted, buildings and uses in the RO research office district shall comply with the following requirements:

1.

All business activity shall comply with the performance standards in article 20.00.

2.

All business activity shall be conducted within a completely enclosed building, unless otherwise specified. Outdoor storage shall be prohibited, and any storage must be clearly accessory to the principal permitted use.

3.

Notwithstanding the limitations on outside storage, commercially used or licensed vehicles used in the normal operation of a permitted use may be parked on the site in the rear only.

4.

For the purposes of determining landscaping and architectural design requirements, the yard adjacent to the I-96 freeway shall be considered a front yard.

B.

Site plan review. Site plan review and approval is required for all uses in the RO research office district, subject to the requirements in articles 4.00 and 5.00.

C.

Area, Height, Bulk and Placement Requirements. Buildings and uses in the RO research office district are subject to the area, height, bulk and placement requirements in article 36.00, Schedule of Regulations.

D.

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

E.

General development standards. Buildings and uses in the RO research office district shall be subject to all applicable standards and requirements in this Ordinance, including the following: