This Chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Cannon Township Zoning Ordinance."
A. 
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the public health, safety and general welfare by establishing zoning districts throughout the Township, within which the use of land, buildings and structures is regulated in the public interest and in furtherance of the reasonable use of land within the Township. This chapter has also been adopted for the following additional purposes, among others:
(1) 
To encourage the use of land in accordance with its character and adaptability and in furtherance of future land use needs.
(2) 
To preserve and enhance the value of land and other property.
(3) 
To conserve natural resources and energy so as to meet the needs of the public for food, natural resources, recreation and other land uses.
(4) 
To ensure that uses of land shall occur in appropriate locations, and to avoid the overcrowding of population.
(5) 
To lessen congestion on the public streets and to provide adequate light and air.
(6) 
To reduce hazards to life and property.
(7) 
To assist in providing for transportation, safe and adequate water supply, sanitary sewage disposal, recreation and other public benefits.
(8) 
To conserve expenditures for public improvements and services, so as to obtain the most advantageous uses of land, natural resources and other property interests.
(9) 
To assure the compatibility of land uses, buildings and structures within each zoning district.
(10) 
To avoid or moderate problems or results that may limit or be detrimental to the sound development of land, buildings and structures.
(11) 
To implement the policies and recommendations of the Township Master Plan, to advance the public interest and foster reasonable land uses.
B. 
In accordance with the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act,[1] this chapter is based on a Master Plan for the Township which, among other purposes, has been adopted to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the Township, and to protect the rural and suburban character of the Township and preserve its unique natural resources, while advocating a variety of land uses, consistent with the general character of the Township, the conservation of property values and the anticipated future land use needs in the Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See MCL 125.3101 et seq.
A. 
This chapter affects and regulates the use, development, preservation and occupancy of all land, buildings and structures in the Township. In those instances where this chapter imposes greater limitations or restrictions than those imposed or required by the provisions of other ordinances, instruments of land conveyance, private restrictions or land use covenants or other laws or instruments purporting to affect land use, the provisions of this chapter shall control.
B. 
The provisions of this chapter shall be the minimum requirements necessary for purposes of the public health, safety, security and general welfare.
This chapter is enacted pursuant to the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act, Public Act 110 of 2006, as amended.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See MCL 125.3101 et seq.
No land, building, structure or other premises shall be used, developed or occupied, and no building or structure shall be constructed, reconstructed, moved, removed, extended, enlarged or altered except in compliance with the provisions of this chapter.
If a parcel of land lies partially outside of the Township boundaries, and if a proposed parcel, building, structure or use with respect to that part of a parcel located within the Township would not satisfy the minimum area, dimensional and street frontage requirements of this chapter, then the minimum provisions of this chapter shall be applied with respect to the parcel, building, structure or use as if the entire parcel were located within the Township; provided, however, that the entire parcel shall comply with the minimum area and minimum width requirements of this chapter, and provided further that if access to the parcel is provided at a location outside the Township boundaries, then such access shall be subject to the approval of the Township Fire Chief prior to the issuance of a building permit by the Township. For purposes of this section, a Township boundary line shall not be deemed to be a lot or parcel line.
A land use which is not stated by name as a permitted use in a zoning district may be permitted upon determination by the Planning Commission that such use is clearly similar in nature and compatible with the stated permitted land uses in that district. Any such determination by the Planning Commission shall be based upon the following factors:
A. 
Whether the land use is consistent with the description and purpose of the zoning district.
B. 
Whether the land use is customarily of the same general nature and character as a land use which is expressly permitted in the zoning district.
C. 
Whether the land use is harmonious with the adjacent and nearby properties and land uses to the same general extent as are the permitted uses listed in the zoning district.