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.
A. 
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.
B. 
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.
A. 
Existing zoning districts. The permitted land uses and the special land uses of the lands within the overlay and the minimum requirements for such uses, shall be as stated in the existing zoning districts, except as otherwise provided in this section.
B. 
Minimum lot area and minimum lot width.
(1) 
Within URRA-1, the minimum lot area for residential uses shall be two acres, and the minimum lot width shall be 200 feet; provided, however, that the gross residential building density for any property shall not exceed one dwelling for each five acres.
(2) 
Within URRA-2, the minimum lot area shall be three acres, and the minimum lot width shall be 200 feet; provided, however, in the case of a multi-parcel development, including a planned unit development, condominium or site condominium, platted subdivision and land division, the Planning Commission may approve smaller lot sizes and widths, though not less than an area of one acre and not less than a width of 150 feet.
C. 
Building setback from URRA-1.
(1) 
A dwelling or other principal building constructed on or after January 8, 1996, in URRA-2 shall not be located closer to 450 feet from any boundary of that part of URRA-1 comprising the Cannonsburg State Game Area.
(2) 
A dwelling or other building constructed in URRA-2 prior to January 8, 1996, shall be a lawful nonconforming building with respect to the required minimum building setback stated in Subsection C(1), and may be remodeled, enlarged or extended without regard to such building setback. A dwelling or other building constructed in URRA-2 prior to January 8, 1996, shall also be a lawfully nonconforming building with respect to such minimum building setback in the case of damage to the dwelling or other permitted building, under the terms of Article 30 of this chapter.
D. 
Limitation on clearing or grading within the overlay district.
(1) 
There shall be no cutting or removal of trees or any grading or other earth changes permitted beyond an area within 50 feet in any direction from the foundation wall of a single-family dwelling, unless approved by the Planning Commission. Such approval shall be given if the Commission determines that such cutting or removal of trees or grading or other earth changes would not contribute to soil erosion, create added runoff into water bodies or wetlands, detract from existing rural views from adjacent public streets or have significant adverse effects on existing wildlife habitat.
(2) 
Dead, diseased, unsafe or fallen trees and noxious plants and other plants identified as a common nuisance under Section 2 of Public Act 359 of 1941[1] may be removed without Planning Commission approval.
[1]
Editor's Note: See MCL 247.62.