A. The provisions of the Access Management Overlay District (the “Overlay” or “Overlay District”) are in addition to the provisions of the existing zoning districts in which the lands within the Overlay District are located. Lands within the Overlay are subject to both the provisions of the existing zoning districts and the Overlay District; in the case of conflicts between the provisions of the Overlay and those of the existing zoning districts, the provisions of the Overlay shall control.
B. The Township has determined that the somewhat rugged natural character of the Township, together with the presence of significant lakes, creeks, streams and wetlands throughout the Township have in many instances inhibited the creation of an efficient, well-planned roadway network. As a consequence, much of the motor vehicle traffic to and from the Township, as well as in developing areas east of the Township, is funneled onto two major east/west arterial streets – State Highway M-44 and Cannonsburg Road – rather than being dispersed across a broader network of major streets.
Because of these street limitations, it is essential that access to these streets be managed. Many published studies and reports document the  relationship between driveways, traffic operations and public safety. Those reports and the experiences of other communities in the county demonstrate that controlling the number and placement of access points, including driveways and side street intersections, can preserve the capacity of a street and thereby reduce the potential for vehicle accidents.
C. The regulations of the Overlay District are intended to accomplish the following purposes:

1. To preserve the vehicle capacity of Highway M-44 and Cannonsburg Road by limiting and controlling the number, location and design of access points, by requiring alternate means of access through shared driveways, service drives and access by means of cross-streets in specified locations to encourage the efficient flow of traffic by minimizing the disruption and conflicts between through traffic and vehicle turning movements.
2. To improve public safety and reduce the potential for vehicle accidents. 
3. To avoid the proliferation of unnecessary curb cuts and driveways and, when opportunities arise, to eliminate or reconfigure existing access points
that currently may not conform to the requirements of the Overlay. 
4. To implement the recommendations of the Township Master Plan.
5. To require longer street frontages or wider minimum lot widths than otherwise required in the existing zoning districts, to help achieve acceptable distances between driveways.
6. To require coordinated motor vehicle access among adjacent properties when possible.
7. To avoid the need for unnecessary and costly reconstruction of the streets, which can disrupt business operations and traffic flow.
8. To ensure efficient access by emergency vehicles.
9. To improve safety for pedestrians and other non-motorized travelers by reducing the number of conflict points at access locations.
10. To establish uniform standards to ensure fair and equal treatment among property owners within the Overlay.
 

See Article 21: Access Management Overlay District for more information.

A. The provisions of the Bear Creek Watershed Overlay District (the “Overlay” or “Overlay District”) are in addition to the provisions of the existing zoning districts in which the lands within the Overlay are located. Lands within the Overlay are subject to both the provisions of the existing zoning districts and the Overlay District; in the case of conflicts between the provisions of the Overlay and those of the existing zoning districts, the provisions of the Overlay shall control.
B. The purpose of the Bear Creek Watershed Overlay District is to establish regulations to preserve and enhance the integrity of certain creeks and  their tributaries located within the Bear Creek Watershed.
C. These creeks and streams are valuable natural resources of the Township, for they contribute to the Township’s rural character, provide scenic views and serve as a habitat for fish and wildlife. The provisions in this chapter are adopted in order to minimize land erosion, stabilize creek banks, protect water quality, avoid runoff of nutrients into creeks and streams, maintain water temperature of creeks and streams at natural levels, preserve fish and wildlife habitat, screen buildings and other structures and preserve the appearance and resource values of the Watershed.

See Article 18: Bear Creek Watershed Overlay District for more information. 

A. The provisions of the Cannonsburg Historic Area Overlay District (the “Overlay” or “Overlay District”) are in addition to the provisions of the existing zoning districts in which the lands within the Overlay are located. Lands within the Overlay are subject to both the provisions of the existing zoning districts and the Overlay District; in the case of conflicts between the provisions of the Overlay and those of the existing zoning districts, the provisions of the Overlay shall control.
B. The Township hereby determines that the unincorporated settlement of Cannonsburg has historic and cultural significance that is worthy of  preservation for the public benefit. Accordingly, the purpose of the Overlay District is to preserve, safeguard and enhance the heritage of the Township by promoting the preservation of the Cannonsburg Historic Area, which in its various components reflects the cultural, social, economic and architectural history of the Township.
C. Further, the purpose of the Overlay District is to stabilize and enhance property values within the Overlay; to permit flexibility in the arrangement and use of property, consistent with the historic traditions of the Overlay; and to preserve the historic identity of the settlement of Cannonsburg.

See Article 20: Cannonsburg Historic Area Overlay District for more information.

A. A Planned Unit Development District consists of an area of land that is zoned, developed, operated and maintained as a single planned development under the terms of a Township-approved plan and ordinance for residential, commercial, recreational, industrial or mixed land uses, approved in accordance with the procedures and standards of this chapter and the requirements of the chapter pertaining to the applicable type of planned unit development.
B. A Planned Unit Development District is intended to foster more innovative or creative land use and development than might otherwise be achieved under the terms of the other available zone districts.
C. Among the objectives of a Planned Unit Development District are the following:

1. To encourage innovation and creativity in the planning, development and use of land.
2. To encourage the use of lands in accordance with a plan which is consistent with their general character and suitability.
3. To promote the preservation of natural resources and natural features.
4. To encourage the efficient use of land by establishing economic and convenient arrangements for buildings, streets, public services and other land use features.

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See Article 29: Open Space Preservation Developments for more information. 

A. A Planned Unit Development District consists of an area of land that is zoned, developed, operated and maintained as a single planned development under the terms of a Township-approved plan and ordinance for residential, commercial, recreational, industrial or mixed land uses, approved in accordance with the procedures and standards of this chapter and the requirements of the chapter pertaining to the applicable type of planned unit development.
B. A Planned Unit Development District is intended to foster more innovative or creative land use and development than might otherwise be achieved under the terms of the other available zone districts.
C. Among the objectives of a Planned Unit Development District are the following:

1. To encourage innovation and creativity in the planning, development and use of land.
2. To encourage the use of lands in accordance with a plan which is consistent with their general character and suitability.
3. To promote the preservation of natural resources and natural features.
4. To encourage the efficient use of land by establishing economic and convenient arrangements for buildings, streets, public services and other land use features.

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See Article 14: Planned Unit DevelopmentDistricts for more information. 

A. The provisions of the Rogue River Natural River Overlay District (the “Overlay” or “Overlay District”) are in addition to the provisions of the  existing zoning districts in which the lands within the Overlay are located. Lands within the Overlay are subject to both the provisions of the existing zoning districts and the Overlay District; in the case of conflicts between the provisions of the Overlay and those of the existing zoning districts, the provisions of the Overlay shall control.
B. The purpose of this Overlay District is to establish regulations to preserve and enhance the integrity of the tributaries of the Rogue River as a valuable natural resource of the Township. The tributaries of the River contribute to the Township’s rural character, provide scenic views and serve as habitats for fish and wildlife.
C. The regulations of the Overlay are intended to minimize erosion, stabilize the banks of the River’s tributaries, protect water quality, avoid runoff of nutrients into the tributaries, maintain the temperature of the water’s natural levels, preserve fish and wildlife habitat, screen dwellings and other structures, maintain economic values resulting from the presence and use of the River’s tributaries, enhance boating and recreational opportunities and otherwise to preserve the appearance and resource values of the tributaries of the River.
D. The provisions of this section also support and are consistent with the designation of the Rogue River and its tributaries as a natural river  district, under the terms of Michigan Public Act 231 of 1970.

See Article 19: Rogue River Natural River Overlay District for more information.

The overlay district includes the following lands and areas, all of which are designated and shall be shown on the Township Zoning Map as URRA-1:

(1) Cannonsburg State Game Area.
(2) Cannonsburg Ski Area.
(3) Pando Ski Area.
(4) Camp Roger.
(5) Townsend County Park.
(6) Pickerel Lake County Park.
(7) Luton County Park.

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A. The provisions of the Unique Recreation Resource Area Overlay District (the “Overlay” or “Overlay District”) are in addition to the provisions of the existing zoning districts in which the lands within the Overlay are located. Lands within the Overlay are subject to both the provisions of the existing zoning districts and the Overlay District; in the case of conflicts between the provisions of the Overlay and those of the existing zoning districts, the provisions of the Overlay shall control.
B. This Overlay District is established to protect the integrity and usefulness of unique areas of the Township devoted to recreation, nature study, wildlife habitat, game hunting and similar uses. Other purposes of the Overlay include the following:

1. To ensure the compatibility of lands within the Overlay with adjacent lands by reducing the permitted density of residential development in such
adjacent lands, to minimize potentially adverse effects on the lands within the Overlay.
2. To create a reasonable buffer zone for the safety and solitude of nearby residents.
3. To minimize conflicts between hunters, skiers and other users of the Overlay lands, with nearby land uses.
4. To provide a reasonable alternative residential use at a maximum building density that will minimize potential disturbance of areas within the
Overlay, including wooded areas, rugged terrain, lakes and streams, wildlife habitat and other natural resources.
5. To preserve and protect the lands within the Overlay so that they may be used and enjoyed for their intended purposes.

See Article 17: Unique Recreation Resource Area Overlay District for more information. 

The overlay also includes those lands and areas located adjacent to URRA-1 that are designated and are shown on the Township Zoning Map as URRA-2.

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A. The provisions of the Unique Recreation Resource Area Overlay District (the “Overlay” or “Overlay District”) are in addition to the provisions of the existing zoning districts in which the lands within the Overlay are located. Lands within the Overlay are subject to both the provisions of the existing zoning districts and the Overlay District; in the case of conflicts between the provisions of the Overlay and those of the existing zoning districts, the provisions of the Overlay shall control.
B. This Overlay District is established to protect the integrity and usefulness of unique areas of the Township devoted to recreation, nature study, wildlife habitat, game hunting and similar uses. Other purposes of the Overlay include the following:

1. To ensure the compatibility of lands within the Overlay with adjacent lands by reducing the permitted density of residential development in such
adjacent lands, to minimize potentially adverse effects on the lands within the Overlay.
2. To create a reasonable buffer zone for the safety and solitude of nearby residents.
3. To minimize conflicts between hunters, skiers and other users of the Overlay lands, with nearby land uses.
4. To provide a reasonable alternative residential use at a maximum building density that will minimize potential disturbance of areas within the
Overlay, including wooded areas, rugged terrain, lakes and streams, wildlife habitat and other natural resources.
5. To preserve and protect the lands within the Overlay so that they may be used and enjoyed for their intended purposes.
 

See Article 17: Unique Recreation Resource Area Overlay District for more information.