Bear Lake Township
Special Use Permit Requests
Planning Commission
A Step-By-Step Guide
INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH PLANNING STAFF - Staff will assist the applicant by explaining the
review process, review the zoning requirements for a special use permit, and provide site information,
review the application and detailed site plan requirements, waive requirements if applicable. The
applicant is encouraged to contact adjoining and nearby property owners and occupants to discuss their
project prior to the public hearing. A copy of the mailing information for the 300’ notification can be
obtained from Staff upon request.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION - Applicant will submit application at least 30 days before the next
regularly scheduled Planning Commission meeting (first Thursday of the month) to the Zoning
Administrator for review. The Zoning Administrator shall review the application and site plan. Staff will
forward a copy of the request to the Township Fire Officials and Staff as deemed necessary by the
Township Board. Fee must be received before any requests are processed.
APPLICATION/SITE PLAN IS INCOMPLETE Staff will prepare a notice of findings/corrections
that will be sent to the applicant. Due to the review time/noticing requirements applicants are
encouraged to submit their requests in advance of the 30 day minimum requirement.
APPLICANT SUBMITS REVISIONS Staff reviews for completeness
APPLICATION/SITE PLAN IS COMPLETE Staff will prepare notice of public hearing (ad in
newspaper, posted on web page, posted at Township Hall, mailing to all owners/occupants within
300’ of property). Noticing must be at least 20 days prior to meeting date.
PUBLIC HEARING - Applicant shall present their case to the Commission along with any
correspondence in support of their request. Staff will give their report, the public is invited to speak on
the request, and correspondence will be read into the record. Public hearing will be closed.
MEETING The Planning Commission will begin their deliberation on the request. If the Commission
determines that no additional information is needed they will deliberate/take action on the request.
The will adopt either a resolution to approve/approve with conditions or deny the request. If the
Commission determines that additional information is needed they will postpone their determination
until the next regularly scheduled meeting to allow the applicant time to provide the necessary
information.
PERMIT If approved, Staff will formalize the resolution of approval and prepare a special use permit.
Applicant will sign special use permit that will be sent to the Register of Deeds Office for recording. A
copy of the recorded document will be forwarded to the applicant for their files and a land use permit
will be issued.
*Average time depending on Staff availability, complete application and meeting schedules approx. 30 60
days
(March 2020)
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Special Use Permit Application/Detailed Site Plan
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Bear Lake Township Special Use Permit Application
c/o Manistee County Planning Department
395 Third St.
Manistee, MI 49660
231-723-6041
planning@manisteecountymi.gov
Special Use Permit Application
A Detailed Site Plan is required for all Special Uses
Please Print
Submission of Application
Applications must be submitted 30 days prior to the meeting for review for completeness. Applications shall be submitted
through the Zoning Administrator to the Planning Commission. Each application shall be accompanied by the payment of a
fee $450.00 and any applicant escrow payments in accordance with the schedule of fees adopted by the Township Board
to cover the costs of processing the application. An application shall be submitted to the Zoning Administrator on a Special
Use application form. A Special Use application shall be placed on the agenda of the Planning Commission by the Zoning
Administrator within thirty (30) days of the submission of a complete application prepared in accordance with this Zoning
Ordinance. An application, which is incomplete or otherwise not in compliance with this Ordinance, shall be returned to the
applicant. No application shall be processed until properly prepared and
submitted and all required fees and escrow payments paid in full.
Property Information
Address:
Parcel #
Applicant Information
Name of Owner or Lessee:
Address:
Phone #:
Cell#:
e-mail:
Name of Agent (if applicable):
Address:
Phone #:
Cell#:
e-mail:
Data Required/Project Information
Land Area:
Zoning Classification:
Present/proposed Land Use:
Attach a Detailed Narrative for the following
A letter or signed narrative describing in detail the proposed special use and detailing why the
location selected is appropriate.
Applicant's statement of the expected effect of the special use on emergency service
requirements, schools, storm water systems, sanitary sewer facilities, automobile and truck
circulation patterns, and local traffic volumes.
Any additional material information necessary to consider the impact of the project upon adjacent
properties and the general public as may be required by this ordinance, by the Twp. Zoning
Administrator or the Planning Commission; including, but not limited to, measures which will be
undertaken to control soil erosion, shoreline protection, excessive noise, or adverse impacts of the
development on the surrounding properties; elevations on all buildings,
including accessory buildings; and, an environmental assessment.
Supporting statements, evidence, data, information and exhibits that address the standards
and requirements for assessing Special Use permit applications as provided in Section 8606/07.
Special Use Permit Application/Detailed Site Plan
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Additional Information
Any additional information deemed necessary for the Planning Commission to determine the impact of
the proposed Special Use on the adjacent properties, public infrastructure, and community as a whole.
Special Use review procedures. An application for Special Use Approval shall be processed in accordance
with Section 8604.
Issuance of a Special Use permit. Special Use Permits shall be issued in accordance with Article 86.
Appeals. No decision or condition related to a Special Use application shall be appealed to the Zoning Board
of Appeals. An appeal of a Special Use decision or condition may be taken to Circuit Court.
Duration of Approval. The Special Use permit shall become effective upon Planning Commission approval
and in accordance with Article 86.
Amendments. Amendments to Special Use permits shall be handled in the same manner as the initial Special
Use permit application. Minor non-substantive changes to a site plan in accordance with Section 8611 may be
made to an existing Special Use permit with the approval of the Zoning Administrator.
Transfers. Transfers shall be handled in accordance with Section 8611
Expiration. A Special Use permit shall be valid for as long as the approved use continues in accordance with the
terms and conditions of the approved permit. The Special Use permit will expire on the occurrence of one or
more of the following conditions:
1. If replaced or superseded by a subsequent permitted use or Special Use permit.
2. If the applicant requests the rescinding of the Special Use permit.
3. If a condition of approval included stipulation to expire the Special Use permit by a certain date.
4. If the use is abandoned, moved or vacated for a period of one year.
Violations. Violations shall be handled in accordance with Section 8613.
Authorization
CERTIFICATION AND AFFIDAVIT:
The undersigned affirm(s) that he/she/they is/are the owner, leasee, owner's representative,
contractor involved in the application; and that the information included in this application is correct.
Further, if the request is approved, the applicant will comply with all of the requirements of the Bear
Lake Township Zoning Ordinance and certifies that measures proposed to mitigate adverse impacts will be
completed in a timely fashion. The undersigned, by signing the Application, agrees to pay any and all
fees and escrow payments in full as provided in Article 86.
Signature: Date:
Signature: Date:
If applicant is Incorporated or a Limited Liability Corporation a copy of the Articles of Incorporation are to be submitted
with application.
By checking this box permission is given for Planning Commission Members to make a site inspection if desired.
Yes
No Please indicate if the applicant will be tax exempt, applying and/or eligible for tax
abatements, credits or deferments for this proposed project. If Yes, explain:
Office Use Only
Fee: $450.00
$ Escrow Payment
Receipt #
Date Received:
Hearing Date:
PC -
Applicant:
Submission Guidelines
Detailed site plan shall include three (3) copies of all required information including any documents rendered in color and a digital PDF
of the Site Plan shall be forwarded to the Planning and Zoning Department. Unless specifically waived by the Zoning
Administrator the site plan shall be prepared by an Engineer, Architect, Landscape Architect or Surveyor licensed to work in
Michigan and shall include and illustrate at a minimum the following information:
Waived
Initials
Included
Detailed Site Plan Requirements
Plans , specifications and drawings showing the location, design and size of the proposed land use and the
buildings and structures to be located thereof; all abutting roads and streets; and the location of all
existing structures
A scale drawing of the site and proposed development thereon. In no instance shall the scale of the
drawing be greater than one inch equals 20 feet nor less than one inch equals 200 feet. One copy shall
be submitted in a photo-reduced form on 17” x 11” paper. North arrow and scale.
The legal seating and/or sleeping capacity of all building and structures.
A concise statement of all operations and uses which will be conducted on the land and buildings.
Information concerning the intensity of use, including hours and times of operation and use, and the
density of population which will occupy and use the premises.
Information concerning the generation of traffic and traffic movements.
Information concerning the requirements of th special land use for public services and utilities, including the
number of of sewer hook-ups, generation and disposal of solid and liquid waste, and the amount of fresh
water to be consumed.
The amount of soil, dirt, sand or gravel to be excavated and removed from th site, or the amount and
composition of all fill to be placed on site.
Project phasing, if applicable.
Location of public and private rights-of-way and easements contiguous to and within the proposed
development which are planned to be continued, created, relocated or abandoned, including grades and
types of construction of those upon the site.
Curb-cuts, driving lanes, parking and loading areas, including the number of parking spaces and parking
calculations; vehicular circulation patterns and features, location and size of all parking spaces and the
identification of service lanes and parking.
Curb-cuts and driveways on adjacent properties.
Location and type of drainage, sanitary sewers, storm sewers and other facilities.
Existing and proposed water main, sanitary and storm sewer, natural gas, electric, telephone, cable
television and other utilities, the proposed location of connections to existing utilities and any proposed
extensions thereof.
Location of fences, gates and landscaping.
Information showing all setback distances for proposed structures from the front, side and rear lot
lines, rivers, lakes, streams or other bodies of water.
Detail and location of signage
Location of lighting on site.
The applicants name and address in full and the principle offices and resident agent of the business if other
than the a sole proprietor; a statement that the applicant is the owner of the land involved in the
application or is acting on the owner's behalf; and the address and legal description of the land involved in
the application.
Any additional material information necessary to consider the impact of the project upon adjacent
properties and the general public as may be requested by the Zoning Administrator or the Planning
Special Use Permit Application/Detailed Site Plan Page 3 of 3