(a) Intent. It is the intent of this section to establish standards for child and adult foster care facilities that will insure compatibility with adjacent land uses and maintain the character of the neighborhood.
(b) Child Foster Care Facilities.
(1) Foster family homes serving less than four (4) children shall be considered a residential use of property and a permitted use in all residential districts. Such facilities shall provide no less than forty (40) square feet of sleeping room per child with all other requirements provided in accordance with the applicable State standards.
(2) Foster family group homes serving between four (4) and eight (8) children under the age of seventeen (17), no more than two (2) of which may be under the age of one (1), shall be considered as a special land use subject to the requirements and standards of Section 3.03 and the following standards:
A. The proposed use of the residence for foster family care shall not change the essential character of the surrounding residential area, and shall not create a nuisance of the surrounding residential area, and shall not create a nuisance relating to vehicular parking, noise, or additional congestion in excess of residential uses in the district.
B. There shall be an outdoor play area of at least one thousand (1,000) square feet provided on the premises. Said play area shall not be located within the front yard. This requirement may be waived by the Planning Commission if a public play area is available within five hundred (500) feet from the subject parcel.
C. All outdoor play areas shall be enclosed by a fence that is designed to discourage climbing, and is at least four (4) feet in height, but no higher than six (6) feet.
D. Appropriate licenses with the State of Michigan shall be maintained.
(c) Adult Foster Care Facilities.
(1) Application of Regulations.
A. A State licensed adult foster care small group home serving six (6) persons or less and adult foster care family home shall be considered a residential use of property and a permitted use in all residential districts.
B. The City may, by issuance of a special land use permit, authorize the establishment of adult foster care small group homes serving more than six (6) persons and adult foster care large group homes.
C. The City may, by issuance of a special use permit, authorize the establishment of a adult foster care congregate facility.
(2) Adult foster care small group homes serving between seven (7) and twelve (12) adults and adult foster care large group homes serving between thirteen (13) and twenty (20) adults, shall be considered as a special land use subject to the requirements and standards of Section 3.03 and the following additional standards:
A. The subject parcel shall meet the minimum lot area requirements for the zoning district in which it is located, provided there is a minimum site area of one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet per adult, excluding employees and/or care givers.
B. The property is maintained in a manner that is consistent with the character of the neighborhood.
C. Appropriate licenses with the State of Michigan shall be maintained.
(3) Adult foster care congregate facilities shall be considered as a special land use subject to the requirements and standards of Section 3.03 and the following standards:
A. The subject parcel shall meet the minimum lot area requirements for the zoning district in which it is located, provided there is a minimum site area of one thousand five hundred (1,500) square feet per adult, excluding employees and/or caregivers.
B. Appropriate licenses with the State of Michigan shall be maintained.