§ 18.02 PERMITTED USES AND STRUCTURES.
   A.    and . In all areas zoned AG-C, Commercial Agricultural, no shall be , 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 :
      1.    and other agricultural activities related to the definition of “ ” in § 1.03, subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection L, or the (GAAMPs), whichever is applicable.
      2.   Barns, silos, sheds, equipment storage and other , as defined in § 1.03.
      3.   One   per , which serves as the principal residence of the owner, operator, or employee(s) of the .
      4.   Idle cropland, provided that such land is maintained so as to prevent the erosion of soil.
      5.   Raising and growing of plants, trees, shrubs, and stock, including any or used for such activities.
      6.   The growing, stripping, and removal of sod, provided that all stripped land shall be reseeded by the fall of the year in which it was stripped so as to prevent the erosion of soil by wind or water.
      7.   Forestry and forest management.
      8.    or boarding stables, subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection AA.
      9.   One for the sale of agricultural products raised on the , subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection Z.
      10.    and , subject to the provisions in § 2.06.
      11.   Adult , family day care homes, child , and child .
      12.   Housing for migrant laborers, subject to the requirements for agricultural labor camps in Part 124 of the Michigan Environmental Health Code.
      13.   Retail sales of ornamental trees, shrubs, and stock that is grown on the premises.
      14.    that are subject to compliance with the GAAMPS standards.
      15.   “U-pick” agricultural operations, provided that sufficient parking is provided.
      16.   The may permit a second unit on a used and as a in addition to the principal permitted in § 18.02(A), where the additional unit is for use by those engaged in the operation, including owners/operators, partners, or laborers on the , and their families, subject to the following conditions:
         a.   The applicant shall submit a that illustrates the location of the proposed in relation to and existing on the . The proposed shall be set back a sufficient distance from other and so that it could eventually be split off on a separate in conformance with the standards in the Rural Residential District. If the is split off on a separate , the parent must comply with all of the standards in the Commercial Agricultural District.
         b.   In the event that the additional dwelling ceases to be used by persons associated with the operation, then it shall be split off on a separate in conformance with the standards in the Rural Residential District.
         c.   Only one such second shall be permitted on a . If such a is split off on a separate , another shall not be permitted on the parent .
         d.   Proposals to place a second on a shall be subject to approval by the , who shall be responsible for determining if the additional unit will be used by those engaged in the operation.
      17.    , subject to the provisions in § 2.16.
      18.   Uses and accessory to the above, subject to the provisions in § 2.03.
      19.   Temporary real estate , subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection LL.
      20.   Temporary general , subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection LL.
      21.   Major uses, subject to the regulations in § 8.02, subsection OO.
   B.    and . The following uses and accessory to principal uses and in the AG-SF District shall be permitted, subject to the provisions in § 2.03:
      1.   Roof and building-mounted for individual use, subject to the requirements in § 8.02 , subsection QQ.4.
   C.   Special uses.
      The following uses may be permitted by the , subject to the conditions specified for each use; review and approval of the site plan by the and ; any special conditions imposed by the or that are necessary to fulfill the purposes of this Ordinance; and, the procedures and requirements set forth in § 29.03.
      1.   Commercial agricultural service establishments whose principal function is performing agricultural or horticultural services on a fee or contract basis, including but not limited to:
         a.   Crop dusting, seeding, and spraying.
         b.    equipment sales, service, and repair.
         c.    , subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection DD.
         d.   Bulk feed, seed, or fertilizer sales, storage, or mixing.
         e.    sales facilities, subject to the requirements in § 8.02, subsection LL.
      Special approval shall not be required for and agricultural activities that are permitted and that provide one or more of the services listed in this sub-item 1 to other on a fee or contract basis, provided that such fee or contract services do not become the of the site.
      2.   Commercial egg production.
      3.   Game preserves.
      4.   Gun .
      5.   Sand, gravel, or mineral extraction, subject to the provisions in § 2.13.
      6.   Commercial kennels, subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection P.
      7.   Municipal and uses.
      8.   Public, parochial, and other private elementary, intermediate, or high schools licensed by the State of Michigan to offer courses in general education.
      9.   Adult . shall be subject to the regulations in § 8.02 , subsection Y.
      10.    , subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection G.
      11.    , subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection X.
      12.   Public or private , including and driving ranges, subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection N.
      13.   Radio and television transmitting and receiving towers, subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection V.
      14.   Oil and gas processing facilities, subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection T.
      15.    (CAFO), also known as .
      16.   Wireless communications facilities on monopoles, subject to the standards and conditions in § 8.02(V).
      17.    for public use, for other than personal use, and related , subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection B.
      18.    , subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection FF.
      19.   Outdoor events, including outdoor events in the Williamstown Township Park, subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection GG.
      20.    , demonstration , and similar uses, subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection HH.
      21.   Small wine makers and hard cider producers, subject to a minimum lot size of four acres and subject to the regulations in § 8.02 , subsection JJ.
      22.   Permanent agricultural , subject to the provisions in § 8.02, subsection LL.
      23.    , subject to the requirements in §§ 2.02 and 8.02, subsection MM.
      24.   Major agricultural tourism uses, subject to the regulations in § 8.02 , subsection OO.
      25.   Small distillers, subject to a minimum lot size of four acres and subject to the regulations in § 8.02 , subsection OO.
      26.   Community and utility grade , subject to the regulations in § 8.02 , subsection QQ.5.
      27.   Event barns, subject to the provisions in § 8.02 , subsection SS.
   D.   Option to permit a for an existing . In addition to conventional methods of land division permitted by this or other ordinances or laws, every which contains a at the time of adoption of these regulations shall be allowed to split one from the main acreage to create a new for the existing . This new shall comply with the size requirements in this subsection C unless additional land is needed to meet the requirements. The purpose of these standards is to permit division and sale of for residential use while providing the opportunity for continued farming or preservation.
      1.   Compliance with Subdivision Control Act. No shall be permitted where the split would be in violation of the provisions in the Subdivision Control Act (Michigan Public Act 288 of 1967, being M.C.L.A. §§ 560.101 through 560.293, as amended).
      2.   Minimum dimensions. permitted by this subsection shall comply with the following dimensional standards:
         a.    area.  created pursuant to the regulations in this subsection shall be at least two acres and no larger than five acres in size, plus-or-minus 5%, unless a larger area is required to accommodate a septic system as required by the Ingham County Health Department.
         b.   Minimum . Two hundred forty feet.
         c.   Minimum for principal and . As specified for single-family in the RR District.
      3.   Septic system. Each shall contain one replacement drain field approved by the Ingham County Health Department prior to issuance of a permit. The location of the field shall be illustrated on plans submitted to the Building Inspector. A , , or shall not be placed or constructed over any active, proposed, or replacement drain field area.
      4.   Conforming status of new . Both legally created using the procedures outlined herein shall be considered conforming with respect to minimum size.
   E.   Accessory . A or may be permitted in the AG-C District provided that such a use is accessory to permitted and on the same , and subject to the provisions in §§ 2.03 and 8.02(B), review and approval by the and , and the procedures and requirements in § 29.03.
   F.   Option to permit for non-farm . In addition to other methods of land division permitted by this or other ordinances or laws, land division to create for non-farm shall be permitted by right in the AG-C District, subject to the requirements in this subsection. The purpose of these requirements is to permit division and sale of for residential use while providing the opportunity for continued farming or preservation.
      1.   Maximum number of . 
         The maximum number of that may be created shall be based on the following formula (provided that minimum dimensions can be met):
   Total acreage of divided by 10 = Maximum number of
         When the above calculation results in a fractional number, round down to the nearest integer to determine the permitted number of .
      2.   Compliance with the Land Division Act. No split shall be permitted where the split would be in violation of the land division requirements of the Land Division Act (Michigan Public Act 288 of 1967, being M.C.L.A. §§ 560.101 through 560.293, as amended).
      3.   Minimum dimensions.
Option A: Frontage on Public
Option B: Shared Option
Option A: Frontage on Public
Option B: Shared Option
Maximum Area
2 acres, +/- 5%*
2 acres, +/- 5%*
Minimum Area
40,000 sq. ft.
40,000 sq. ft.
Minimum
200 feet
120 feet
Minimum Frontage on a Public
200 feet
200 feet**
Front
50 feet
50 feet
Side
30 feet
30 feet
Rear
40 feet
40 feet
 
* A larger area may be permitted if required by the Ingham County Health Department to accommodate a septic system.
**The , upon receiving a recommendation from the , may waive the requirement for 200 feet of frontage on a public for no more than four served by a shared upon finding that:
         a.   The proposal to create up to four lacking public frontage would be superior (compared to one with public frontage) for one or more of the following reasons:
            i.   It would maintain the ’s rural character and image by allowing houses in locations where they are all fully or substantially screened from the public .
            ii.   It would allow on the parts of the parent that are best suited for , because of suitability of soils for septic systems and least disruption to sensitive environmental areas, such as , , and woodlands.
            iii.   It would allow that is compatible with surrounding land use.
         b.   The shared meets all of the requirements of the following subsection 4.
         c.   The shared would provide adequate emergency access. Where the shared is longer than 600 feet in length, then a circular turnaround shall be provided at the end of the shared with a minimum radius of 60 feet.
      4.   Shared option. Vehicular access to created pursuant to this subsection E may be provided by a shared , subject to the following requirements:
         a.   A shared may provide access to no more than four .
         b.   A shared shall not exceed 1,320 feet in length.
         c.   The minimum width of a shared shall be 18 feet.
         d.   Prior to issuance of a permit for any served by a shared , proof shall be submitted that a   has been recorded and that an maintenance agreement has been executed and recorded.
         e.   The   shall provide for unrestricted access for emergency and public vehicles and normal for property owners served by the , their families, guests, invitees, tradespeople, and others traveling to or leaving properties served by the .
         f.   The maintenance agreement shall provide for ongoing maintenance and a means of funding such maintenance.
         g.   Shared shall comply with the requirements in § 2.10, subsection D. Such shall provide sufficient horizontal and vertical clearance to allow the free passage and maneuvering of fire apparatus, subject to review by the Fire Chief. There shall be a minimum of 12 feet vertical and 18 feet horizontal clearance.
      5.   Buffer zone. A buffer zone shall be required along which have public frontage, which shall be densely planted with trees and shrubs (“densely planted,” for example, would be a double row of spruce trees, planted 15 feet on-center). The buffer zone shall occupy a commons area and shall not occupy any portion of the frontage . For the purposes of this subsection, a buffer zone is a strip of land having a minimum width of 50 feet, containing a variety of trees and shrubs that achieve the following purposes:
         a.   Screens from view from the ; and
         b.   Maintains or enhances rural character. Prior to completion of the (s), the developer or property owner shall post a bond for the full cost of the proposed plus installation to assure trees and shrubs are properly planted in accordance with the plans. Plantings shall be continuously maintained and dead or diseased plant material shall be replaced in the same growing season that the dead or diseased condition is noted.
      6.    of the remainder of the . 
         The rights on the farmland or that is intended to be preserved shall be conveyed to the or to an approved or agricultural preservation trust so that such land may be only used for agriculture or left as in perpetuity. The legal instrument by which the rights are conveyed shall be subject to review and approval by the Township Attorney.
         The ownership of the preserved land (minus the rights) may be retained by the property owner who initiates the land division, or the ownership may be conveyed to the owners of the newly created , the or agricultural preservation trust, or to another owner. If the permitted number of is not completed all at once, then the conveyance may provide for additional future splits, provided that the total number of splits shall not exceed the maximum specified in sub-item 1.
      7.   Septic system. Each shall identify the location of one primary and one replacement drain field approved by the Ingham County Health Department prior to issuance of a permit. The location of the septic fields shall be shown on the plans submitted to the Building Inspector. A , , or (e.g., a ) shall not be placed or constructed over any active, proposed, or replacement septic drain field.
      8.   Conforming status of new .  legally created using the procedures outlined herein shall be considered conforming with respect to dimensional requirements.
(Ord. passed 7-9-2013; Ord.55, passed 7-9-2014; Ord. 57, passed 4-8-2015; Ord. passed 12-14-2022; Ord. passed 2-8-2023)