Zoning Notices and Updates

ZBA Public Hearing on June 02, 2025, 7:00 pm, at the Township Hall, regarding 2169 Contour Drive, Roscommon proposed 22′ x 18′ detached deck.

ZBA Public Hearing on June 02, 2025, 7:00 pm, at the Township Hall, regarding 9938 Carrie Lane, Grayling, proposed 38′ x 26′ attached garage.

Unapproved May 2025 Minutes

Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Minutes
South Branch Township, Crawford County, Michigan
Zoning Board of Appeals
Meeting Date: May 12, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: South Branch Township Hall

1. Call to Order
   • Meeting called to order at 7:00PM by Chairperson Franklin Barrett.
2. Roll Call Present:
   • Franklin Barrett, Member
   • Cris Jones, Chairperson
   • Roxanne James, Member
   • Pam Groosbeck, Secretary Absent:
   • Cameron Jones, Member Staff Present:
   • Shelly Pringle, Zoning Administrator Guests/Public Attendees:
   • Joseph Udry
   • Debra Good
   • James S. Bates Architect
   • Jim DeHart (phone)
3. Approval of Agenda
   • Motion by N/A to approve the agenda as presented/amended.
   • Seconded by N/A.
   • Vote: 4-0, motion carried.
4. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
   • Date of last meeting:
   • Motion by N/A to approve the minutes.
   • Seconded by N/A.
   • Vote: 4–0, motion carried
5. Public Hearings
   Case No.: ZBA 2025-02
   Applicant: Joseph Udry and Debra Good
   Property Address/Parcel No.: 2682 Chimarra Trail, Grayling, MI 49738/063-017-002-020-03 Request: The applicant is seeking a variance of Section 5.08 South Branch Schedule of Regulations in order to construct a 27’ x 34’ addition to their home which is within 200’ of the
   AuSable River
   Public Notice Compliance: Yes, Public Hearing Notice published in the Crawford County Avalanche and mailed to owners of property located within 300 feet of the subject property.
   Presentation by Applicant:
   No verbal presentation made
   Zoning Administrator’s Report:
   No verbal recommendations or comments made
   Board Questions/Discussion:
   No questions or discussion, documentation submitted was thorough and clear.
   Public Comment:
   No public comments
   Board Deliberation:
   Finding of Facts:
   Standard 1:
   Votes: Pam Groosbeck Has Been Met
   Roxanne James Has Been Met
   Cris Jones Has Been Met
   Cameron Jones Absent

Standard 2: Franklin Barrett Has Been Met
Votes: Pam Groosbeck Has Been Met
Roxanne James Has Been Met
Cris Jones Has Been Met
Cameron Jones Absent

Standard 3: Franklin Barrett Has Been Met
Votes: Pam Groosbeck Has Been Met
Roxanne James Has Been Met
Cris Jones Has Been Met
Cameron Jones Absent

Standard 4: Franklin Barrett Has Been Met
Votes: Pam Groosbeck Has Been Met
Roxanne James Has Been Met
Cris Jones Has Been Met
Cameron Jones Absent

Standard 5: Franklin Barrett Has Been Met
Votes: Pam Groosbeck Has Been Met
Roxanne James Has Been Met
Cris Jones Has Been Met
Cameron Jones Absent
Franklin Barrett Has Been Met

Motion:
• Motion by Franklin Barrett to approve the request without conditions.
• Seconded by Roxanne James.
• Vote: All in favor, no conditions

Case No.: ZBA 2025-01
Applicant: James DeHart Lisa Dehart
Property Address/Parcel No.: 1598 DeWitt Trail, Roscommon, MI 48653/064-720-000-015-00 Request: The applicant is seeking a variance of Section 5.08 South Branch Schedule of
Regulations to construct a 40’ x 30’ A frame home which is within 200’ of the AuSable River
Public Notice Compliance: Yes, Public Hearing Notice published in the Crawford County Avalanche and mailed to owners of property located within 300 feet of the subject property.
Presentation by Applicant:
Jim indicated they were hoping to retain the existing mature trees to act as a privacy screen from the road. This and the location of the neighboring properties garage, which is extremely close to the property line is what prompted the proposed placement of the dwelling. He indicated that the builder was thinking of placing the septic field in the northwest portion of the property and the well in the Southeast portion of the property. But this was not a certainty.
Zoning Administrator’s Report:
No verbal recommendations or comments made.
Board Questions/Discussion:
The board had concerns regarding building on this lot at all because almost the entirety of the lot is withing the 200-foot restricted zone. Because the subject property is located within a neighborhood and the neighboring properties on both sides have legal non-conforming structures within the restricted zone the decision was made to allow construction with restrictions. The restrictions being 1. The dwelling must be placed with at least a 75-foot front setback (from the riverbank) and 2. have a minimum side setback of 25 feet.
Public Comment:
No public comment.
Board Deliberation:
Finding of Facts: Standard 1:
Votes: Pam Groosbeck Has Been Met
Roxanne James Has Been Met
Cris Jones Has Been Met
Cameron Jones Absent

Standard 2: Franklin Barrett Has Been Met
Votes: Pam Groosbeck Has Been Met
Roxanne James Has Been Met
Cris Jones Has Been Met
Cameron Jones Absent

Standard 3: Franklin Barrett Has Been Met
Votes: Pam Groosbeck Has Been Met
Roxanne James Has Been Met
Cris Jones Has Been Met
Cameron Jones Absent

Standard 4: Franklin Barrett Has Been Met
Votes: Pam Groosbeck Has Been Met
Roxanne James Has Been Met
Cris Jones Has Been Met
Cameron Jones Absent

Standard 5: Franklin Barrett Has Been Met
Votes: Pam Groosbeck Has Been Met
Roxanne James Has Been Met
Cris Jones Has Been Met
Cameron Jones Absent
Franklin Barrett Has Been Met
Motion:
• Motion by Franklin Barrett to approve the request with conditions.
• Seconded by Cris Jones.
• Vote: All in favor, with conditions
Conditions:

1. Minimum front setback of 75 feet
2. Minimum side set back of 25 feet
3. Adjusted plans must be submitted before permits can be issued.
4. Board Member Comments / Staff Updates
   There are 4 new applications for consideration. They will be split between the next regular meeting on June 2, 2025, and a special meeting on June 9, 2025.
5. Adjournment
   • Motion to adjourn by Pam Groosbeck at 8:04 PM.
   • Seconded by Cris Jones.
   • Vote: All in favor

Stream Corridor Overlay Zoning District

General Zoning Information

Section 3.01 The Effect of Zoning

“…no use or activity on a piece of land shall be allowed or maintained, no building or structure or part thereof shall be allowed to be used, constructed, remodeled, altered, or moved upon any property unless it is in conformance with this Ordinance, and a zoning permit has been obtained…” (emphasis added)

Section 10.02 Zoning Permit

“No building or structure subject to the provisions of this Ordinance shall hereafter be erected, structurally altered, reconstructed, used, or moved, nor shall any associated excavation or filling of land commence until a Zoning Permit application, including a Firewise audit, has been filed with the Township Zoning Administrator and a Zoning Permit has been issued by the Zoning Administrator, except as otherwise permitted for in this Ordinance. No Zoning Permit shall be required for any lawful use of any building or structure in existence as of the adoption date of this Ordinance. No Zoning permit shall be required for an accessory structure less than two hundred (200) square feet in size; except when located in the Stream Corridor Overlay, as provided for in Section 5.07 of this Ordinance.”

“The Zoning Administrator shall have the power to revoke or cancel any Zoning Permit in case of failure or neglect to comply with the provisions of the Ordinance, or in the case of a false statement or misrepresentation made in the application. The owner shall be notified of such revocation in writing.”

“No Zoning Permit shall be valid until the required fees have been paid. Except for an accessory building or structure less than two hundred (200) square feet in size (which does not require a zoning permit pursuant to Section 10.02.1 of this Ordinance), no separate fee shall be required for accessory buildings or structures when part of the application for the principal building or structure…”

Section 10.02.3 Other Required Permits

“A zoning permit shall not be issued until all other necessary permits required by statute have been obtained or waived with the exception of those permits issued by the Crawford County Building Department.”

Section 3.26 Zoning Permits in Relation to Building Permits 

“Prior to the issuance of any building permit in the County, it shall be necessary for any applicant to first apply for and obtain a zoning permit from the Zoning Administrator in accordance with the provisions of this Zoning Ordinance. All buildings, new, renovation for commercial, residential, agriculture, and accessory buildings must obtain a building permit prior to starting construction. All new buildings must comply with this Zoning Ordinance.”

Firewise Audit Inspections

As noted above in Section 10.02, a Firewise audit is a requirement for the issuance of any zoning permit in South Branch Township. The ‘Firewise Audit Inspection’ is a free service provided by the township fire department, and is intended to assist property owners in becoming more aware of the preventative measures that can help safeguard their property in the event of a wildfire. 

For more information click the link here to view the brochure:  Firewise Brochure – 2019.pdf