Township denies commercial zoning on Day Road
Dundee Township Board members denied a request for a rezoning, to allow a commercial use on Day Road.

The owner reportedly wanted to put in an arborist supply business on 14 acres.

The Township Planning Commission recommended the Township Board deny the request, on the basis that it was not consistent with the Master Plan. To rezone the land would result in spot zoning, which is not allowed.

Trustee John Williams, who is also on the Planning Commission, said Day Road is unpaved, and an unsuitable area for a commercial venture.

Mr. Williams said the Planning Commission also is considering a suggestion from its professional planner, Jeff Purdy, about creating more than one “Agricultural” zoning designation.

This would reflect the different soil types and possible uses in the township. It’s possible more lot splits could be allowed in areas with sandy soil, for example.

Township Supervisor Joanna Uhl said, “That’s an excellent idea. We could check with other townships, and see what they do.”

In other business, the board decided it needs more information from the Dundee Sportsman’s Club before it grants a liquor license with an entertainment permit.

The club maintains it wants the entertainment permit only for bands to play at club dances about three times a year, but the board was concerned that other entertainment could be added.

The Sportsman’s Club is to come back with documentation to the board, outlining what is allowed by the state with this type of permit.

“Our attorney is concerned that the permit, once approved, has a broader application. According to the state, ‘entertainment’ is not that strict,” said Mrs. Uhl.

She added, “We’re concerned that the state doesn’t provide us with documentation about precisely what’s been requested.”

Clerk Tira Lupu reported several residents have called to complain that the Monroe County Road Commission has removed political and other signs from their yards.

She said the MCRC sent a letter stating this was done to make it easier for roadside mowing and that the signs removed were in the road rights-of-way.

She also said that two out of the three memory cards used by the township in the optical voting boxes have “died,” and needed to be replaced.

One of the cards malfunctions was discovered during the routine test of voting apparatus.