(A) The township recognizes there exist private roads, service roads and access easements which were lawful prior to the adoption of this subchapter which are inconsistent with the standards herein. These roads are declared by this section to be legal nonconforming roads or easements and shall continue to have that status so long as the road or easements are maintained in a safe and physically sound condition as determined by the Township Board. The Township Board may allow construction on existing parcels which front along such a road on the adoption date of this subchapter if the roads are reasonably capable of providing sufficient access for the uses permitted in the zoning district and for provision of emergency service vehicles.
(B) However, this section is also intended to discourage the extension of nonconforming roads or increase the number of lots or building sites served by such a road, condominium project existing on the adoption date of this subchapter, provided provisions are made to upgrade the road to comply with the standards herein. Any reconstruction, widening or extension of a nonconforming private road or access easement shall be in conformity with this subchapter or the standards of the Genesee County Road Commission for Public Streets.
(C) For the purposes of determining whether a long along a private road or access easement qualifies as an “existing parcel” as used in this section, at least 1 of the following conditions must have existed at the time this subchapter was adopted:
(1) The parcel consists of a “condominium unit” as to which a master deed had been recorded with the Genesee County Register of Deeds in accordance with the requirements of the Michigan Condominium act and other applicable laws and ordinances;
(2) The parcel was described by metes and bounds as evidenced by a recorded deed or as a land contract and has no other access from a public road; or
(3) The lot has been assigned a unique parcel number by the Genesee County Register of Deeds and was individually assessed and taxed on that basis.
(Ord. 392, passed 7-13-2000)