Notice is hereby given that there will be a Public Hearing held before the Charter Township of Washington Planning Commission on Thursday, May 9th, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. in the Washington Township Municipal Building Board Room located at 57900 Van Dyke, Washington Township, MI 48094. The purpose of this Public Hearing is to hear and receive comments related to the proposed text amendments and regulations in the Washington Township Zoning Ordinance as follows:
Amend the current ordinance language for Section 4.43 Outdoor Cafes and replace this section in its entirety with the following:
Section 4.43 OUTDOOR SEATING AREAS AND CAFES
A. Outdoor seating areas and cafes are permitted uses after approval in the LC, GC and V-1 Zoning Districts.
B. Outdoor dining areas shall not hinder the movement of pedestrian traffic or reduce a site’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, as determined by the Planning Commission.
C. In no instance shall an outdoor cafe project into the public right-of-way.
D. Music and/or outdoor entertainment is permitted between the hours of 10am-10pm and shall not exceed 65 decibels at the property line.
E. All such uses shall be shielded from the roadway by means of a decorative fence or wall. This fence or wall shall not exceed three (3) feet in height. It shall be constructed of the same brick as the building or decorative/ simulated (pre-finished aluminum) wrought iron. Planter boxes may be placed upon this barrier, and may exceed the height limit of the fence or wall.
F. The Planning Commission may vary the building setback if outdoor seating areas are provided.
G. Where an existing restaurant wishes to add new outdoor seating, a site plan application shall be submitted in accordance with Sections 6.1 and 6.4. New or expanded outdoor seating shall not occupy required parking spaces but may occupy spaces that exceed the requirement for the site.
H. Outdoor seating shall be located in a front or side yard. Outdoor seating located in a rear yard that abuts residentially used or residentially zoned property shall meet the required building setback; where no required screening is in place, said required screening shall be installed prior to occupancy of the outdoor dining area.
Amend the current ordinance language for Article 3.0 Zoning Districts, Sections 3.1.1-3.1.6 Single Family Residential D. Development Standards: Maximum Lot Coverage and Maximum Impervious Surface and replace it with the following standard:
Maximum
Parcel Size Maximum Lot Coverage Impervious Surface
1 acre or greater 30% 35%
Less than 1 acre 45% 50%
Amend Section 5.13.C.2.e. Environmental Provisions, Screening requirements, Other screening specifications, Macomb Orchard Trail and eliminate the sentence in which the Planning Commission can require a connection to the Macomb Orchard Trail during the review process when a proposed development is adjacent to the Macomb Orchard Trail.
Everyone will be given an opportunity to speak during the Public Hearing. If you have a question regarding the proposed Zoning Ordinance Text amendments, or you are unable to attend the meeting but wish to provide your comments, please contact the Planning and Zoning Department at: planning@washingtontwpmi.org
Ben Bongiorno, Secretary
Charter Township of Washington
Planning Commission
Publish: 4/17/24