Section R. 281.178 - Application and approval; procedures and standards; principal uses and special usesRule 8.
(1) An application for a principal use shall be submitted and processed pursuant to all the following procedures:(a) An application for a principal use shall be made on an application form that is available from the zoning administrator and shall be returned to the zoning administrator. A completed application shall contain all of the following information:(i) A completed application form that is signed by the applicant or the applicant's representative.(ii) A site plan that meets the requirements of R 281.176.(iii) Evidence of ownership or a legal interest in the property that is affected by the application for a principal use.(b) Within 21 days of receipt of an application for a principal use, the zoning administrator shall notify the applicant of the need for additional information.(c) Within 30 days of receipt of a completed application, the zoning administrator shall issue or deny a permit. If a permit is denied, notice of the denial, together with the reasons for the denial, shall be sent to the applicant.(d) Concurrent with the issuance of a zoning permit, an applicant shall receive a copy of the approved site plan.(e) Before commencing construction of a principal use, an applicant shall display the permit required by these rules face out in a conspicuous place facing the nearest street or roadway and shall display it continuously until the purpose for which the permit was issued is completed.(f) Zoning permits are valid for 1 year and are not transferable. All buildings shall be completed within 1 year from the date of issuance of the zoning permit. However, 1 extension may be authorized by the zoning administrator, in writing, for a period of not more than 6 months if conditions pertaining to the issuance of the original permit remain unchanged. An application for an extension shall be made before the permit expires. Any subsequent extensions for a variance approval shall have the written approval of the zoning review board.(2) An application for a special use permit shall be submitted and processed pursuant to all the following procedures: (a) An application for a special use permit shall be made on an application form that is available from the zoning administrator and shall be returned to the zoning administrator. A completed application shall contain all of the following information and attachments: (i) A completed application form that is signed by the applicant or the applicant's representative.(ii) Eight copies of a site plan that meets the requirements of R 281.176.(iii) Evidence of ownership or a legal interest in the property that is affected by the application for a special use.(iv) A list of all property owners, together with their addresses, who are located within 300 feet of the applicant's property that is being considered for a special use.(b) The application, together with the required attachments, shall be submitted not less than 30 days before the meeting of the zoning review board at which the application is to be considered.(c) The zoning review board shall conduct at least 1 public hearing and shall require all of the following notifications of such hearing to be made not less than 5, nor more than 15, days before consideration of the special use application: (i) One notice shall be published in a newspaper that circulates in the township in which the proposal is located.(ii) Notice shall be sent by first-class mail or personal delivery to the owners of property for which approval is being considered and to all persons who are identified in 2(a)(iv) of this subrule.(iii) Notice shall also be sent to all of the following entities: (A) The natural rivers unit of the Michigan department of natural resources.(B) Local tax assessing officials.(C) Township and county clerks.(D) Local building inspectors.(E) State, district, or county health department, when applicable.(d) In considering a special use application, the zoning review board shall require that all of the following general standards, in addition to those specific standards established for each special use in R 281.177 be satisfied: (i) That the purposes specified in R 281.172 are accomplished.(ii) That a compelling reason exists to locate the proposed use within the district boundaries if contiguous property under the same ownership is available outside the district.(iii) That the proposed use in combination with other existing uses will not be a detriment to the public health, safety, and welfare.(e) The zoning review board may impose conditions deemed necessary to accomplish the general and specific standards applicable to the proposed use.(f) The concurring vote of at least 4 of the 7 voting members of the zoning review board shall be required to approve a special use.(g) A special use that is granted by the zoning review board shall be valid for 1 year from the date of approval. If construction has not, in the opinion of the zoning review board, commenced and proceeded meaningfully at the end of the 1-year period, then the zoning administrator shall notify the applicant, in writing, of the expiration of the special use approval.(h) If the zoning review board determines that the applicant has failed to comply with any of the requirements of these rules or the approved special use permit, then the board, after a public hearing held in accordance with the provisions of subrule (c) of this rule may revoke any special use approval.(i) An application for a special use that has been denied by the zoning review board shall not be submitted for reconsideration unless, in the opinion of the zoning administrator, the application is significantly different in scope from the application that was denied or new and significant facts and conditions exist which may result in favorable action upon resubmission.(j) Concurrent with the issuance of a special use permit, an applicant shall receive a copy of the approved site plan, with conditions, if any.(k) Before commencing construction of a special use, an applicant shall display the permit required by these rules face out in a conspicuous place facing the nearest street or roadway and shall display it continuously until the purpose for which the permit was issued is completed.Mich. Admin. Code R. 281.178