It is recognized that the township has an abundance of significant natural resources and features. The RC—Resource Conservation District is intended to provide for those uses of land that are compatible with the need to protect and enhance vital township natural resources and amenities, fish and wildlife habitat, woodlands, wetlands and water resources, and to encourage agricultural and other resource-based production.

(Ord. of 7-22-2013, § 11.01; Ord. of 6-4-2014, § 11.01)

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

(1)

Single-family dwelling and any use, building or structure accessory thereto.

(2)

Family child care homes.

(3)

Adult foster care family homes, foster family homes, and foster family group homes.

(4)

Public or private forest preserve, game refuge, park, or similar recreation areas of low density and which utilize the natural features of the land.

(5)

Public and private conservation area and structure for the development, protection and conservation of open space, watersheds, water, soil, forest, and wildlife resources.

(6)

Farms and farming operations, including a riding academy or stable.

(7)

A parcel may be used for the maintenance of animals, not as part of a farm or farm operation and not for the purpose of commercial production of farm products, but incidental to the use of a parcel principally for single-family residential purposes, and further subject to the following standards:

a.

The following standards establish the number of non-farm animals permitted:

1.

One horse (equine) or cow (bovine), or three pigs or hogs (swine), or six sheep or goats (ovine) or similar animal shall be permitted for each one acre.

2.

Poultry, rabbits, and similar animals may be kept in addition to the animals noted above. All setback, fencing, and maintenance standards found below apply.

b.

There shall be adequate fencing, or other restraining device, for the purpose of maintaining animals. Fencing for animal pens, including chicken coops, shall meet the required setbacks of this district.

c.

Structures housing animals shall meet all required setbacks of this district.

d.

The refuse and wastes resulting from the maintenance of animals shall be controlled upon the premises, and shall be cared for or disposed of within a reasonable time so as to minimize hazards of health and offensive effects upon neighboring people and uses.

e.

All feed and other substances and materials on the premises for the maintenance of animals shall be stored so as to not attract rats, mice, or other vermin.

(8)

Pick your own agricultural products including berries and similar products.

(9)

Farm market/roadside stand.

(10)

The raising or growing of plants, trees, shrubs, and nursery stock.

(11)

The growing, stripping and removal therefrom of sod provided that said lot or portion thereof shall be reseeded after stripping by fall of the year in which it was stripped as to reduce the actual or potential erosion of soil by water or wind.

(12)

A sign, only in accordance with the regulations specified in article XXVI of this chapter.

(13)

Distribution lines and structures, not including buildings, of essential services, when located within an existing public or utility right-of-way, and repeater buildings of a telephone utility company when location is approved by the township planning commission.

(14)

Home occupation.

(Ord. of 7-22-2013, § 11.02; Ord. of 6-4-2014, § 11.02)

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

(1)

Public and private camping ground.

(2)

Club, golf course and country club house, swimming pool, golf driving range, and sale of food, beverages, and recreation equipment which is incidental to a permitted principal recreation use.

(3)

Marinas, boat launching facilities, and related sales and services, and similar water-related uses and structures; public beaches, swimming pools, and bathhouses for gain.

(4)

Public utility structures.

(5)

Transmission lines and structures, not including buildings, of essential services, where located in rights-of-way not a part of public or utility rights-of-way existing at the time of adoption of the ordinance from which this article is derived.

(6)

Essential services, except as provided for elsewhere in this district, provided that no storage of materials, equipment, vehicles, or supplies shall be located on the premises; that no personnel shall be quartered or employed on the premises; and that the structures shall be designed, erected, and landscaped in such manner as to conform to the character of the surrounding area and this district.

(7)

All buildings and structures accessory and incidental to permitted uses in this district.

(8)

Radio and television broadcasting and receiving antennae and related buildings and structures.

(9)

Bed and breakfast operations.

(10)

Commercial communications apparatus, if located on existing commercial communications or electrical towers, or other existing appropriate structure, and subject to the provisions of section 36-720, in addition to the requirements of article XXVII (conditional uses) of this chapter.

(11)

Agricultural commercial/tourism business, subject to the provisions of section 36-730.

(12)

Child care and group child care homes, subject to the provisions of section 36-732.

(Ord. of 7-22-2013, § 11.03; Ord. of 6-4-2014, § 11.03)

The following regulations shall apply in all RC—Recreation Conservation Districts:

(1)

Lot area. The minimum lot area shall be ten acres in area.

(2)

Lot width. The minimum lot width shall be 300 feet.

(3)

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

(4)

Yard and setback requirements.

a.

Front yard. Not less than 60 feet from the right-of-way line.

b.

Side yards. Least width of either yard shall not be less than 30 feet; except in the case of a corner lot where the side yard on the road or street side shall not be less than 60 feet.

c.

Rear yard. Not less than 50 feet.

The requirements of this subsection (4) shall apply to every lot, building, or structure.

(5)

Height. Except as otherwise provided in article IV of this chapter, the following height requirements shall apply to this district for all buildings and structures: No building or structure shall exceed three stories or 40 feet.

(6)

Required off-street parking. As required in article XXV of this chapter.

(7)

Performance standards. As required in article XXIV of this chapter.

(8)

Preservation of environmental quality. Specified in section 36-704.

(Ord. of 7-22-2013, § 11.04; Ord. of 6-4-2014, § 11.04)