Sylvan Twp: Notice of Adoption 7/24/25

SYLVAN TOWNSHIP

WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICHIGAN

NOTICE OF ADOPTION

Notice is hereby given that the Township Board for Sylvan Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan adopted Ordinance 25-001 at its regular meeting on July 8, 2025; that provides an amendment to Chapter 30 Zoning: Article I In General, Section 30-5 Definitions; Article II Administration and Enforcement, Division 2 Site Plan Review, Section 30-75 Developments and uses requiring site plan review; Article III District Regulations, Division 2-15, Sections 30-220, 254, 277, 278, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 346, 371, 393, 420,444,477, 498, 525, 553, 554, 566, and 569;  Article III District Regulations, Division 17 30-612, 613, 614, 615, 616, and 617; Article IX Supplemental Regulations, Sections 30-809, 810, 811, and 812 . A Summary of the amendments are below.

Chapter 30 Zoning;

Article I In General

        Section 30-5 Definitions

Added the following definitions: Alternative Energy Facilities, Accessory;  Alternative Energy Facilities, Primary; Anemometer Tower; Batter Energy Storage Facilities; Battery Energy Storage Facilities, Accessory; Battery Storage Facilities, Primary; dBA; Duel Use; End of Useful Life; FAA; Fully Shielded Lighting; High Voltage Power Lines; Maximum Tilt; Minimum Tilt, Non-Participating Lot (s); Participating Lot(s); Photovoltaic Systems; Rotor; Shadow Flicker; Solar Array; Solar Energy Facilities; Solar Energy Facilities, Accessory; Solar Energy Facilities, Building-Integrated; Solar Energy Facilities, Ground-Mounted;  Solar Energy Facilities, Primary; Solar Energy Facilities, Roof-Mounted; Solar Thermal Facilities; Wind Energy Facilities; Wind Energy Facilities, Accessory; Wind Energy Facilities, Primary and Wind Energy Turbines.

Article II Administration and Enforcement

        Division 2-Site Plan Review

        Section 30-75 Developments and uses requiring site plan review

        Added primary Alternative Energy Facilities to the list of items that require site plan review.

Article III District Regulations

Division 2 RC-RECREATION CONSERVATION DISTRICT

Section 30-220 Permitted Uses

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.

Division 3 MU-1 MUNICIPAL USE DISTRICT

Section 30-254. – Permitted uses, buildings, and structures

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.

Division 4 AG-AGRICULTURE DISTRICT

Section 30-277 Permitted Uses

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.

Section 30-278 Special Uses

Added Primary alternative energy facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809 to 30-811 to the list of special uses.

Division 5 P-5 Private Sites Dedicated to Common Use

Removed and reserved this division

Sections 30-309, 30-310, 30-311, 30-312, and 30-313

Removed and reserved these sections

DIVISION 6. – LR-LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT

Section 30-346 Permitted Uses

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.

DIVISION 7. – SR1-SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT ONE

Section 30-371 Permitted Use

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.

DIVISION 8. – MR-MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DISTRICT

Section 30-393 Permitted Uses

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.

DIVISION 9. – MHP-MANUFACTURED HOUSING COMMUNITY DISTRICT

Section 30-420 Permitted Principal Uses

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.

DIVISION 10. – LC-LOCAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

Section 30-444 Permitted Uses

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.

DIVISION 11. – GC-GENERAL COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

Section 30-477 Permitted Uses

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.

DIVISION 12. – HC-HIGHWAY COMMERCIAL DISTRICT

Section 30-498 Permitted Uses

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.  

DIVISION 13. – BP-BUSINESS PARK DISTRICT

Section 30-525Permitted Uses

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.

DIVISION 14. – I-INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT

Section 30-553 Permitted Uses

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.

Section 30-554 Special Uses

Added Primary alternative energy facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809 to 30-811 to the list of special uses.

DIVISION 15. – I-ART-INDUSTRIAL-AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH AND TESTING DISTRICT

Section 30-566 Permitted Uses

Added Accessory Alternative Energy Facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809, 810, and 811 to the list of permitted uses.

Secs. 30-569. Special Uses (added this section)

Added Primary alternative energy facilities subject to the regulations under section 30-809 to 30-811 to the list of special uses.

DIVISION 17. – WIND ENERGY FACILITY

Removed and reserved this division.

Sections 30-612, 30-613, 30-614, 30-615, 30-615, 30-616 and 30-617

Removed and reserved these sections

Article IX Supplemental Regulations

Sections 30-809 Solar Energy Facilities (SEF)

Added regulations regarding Solar Energy Facilities

Section 30-810 Wind Energy Facilities (WEF)

Added regulations regarding Wind Energy Facilities

Section 30-811 Battery Energy Storage Facilities (BESF)

Added regulations regarding Battery Energy Storage Facilities

Section 30-812 Lighting

Added regulations regarding lighting

A copy of the full text of the new Zoning Ordinance amendments may be inspected or purchased at the Township Offices (18027 Old US-12, Chelsea, MI 48118). The new Zoning Ordinance Amendments will also be posted on the Township’s website at https://sylvantownshipmi.gov/planning-commission/

The adopted amendment shall become effective 7 days after the notice is published, unless referendum procedures are initiated under MCL 125.3402 within seven (7) days after publication of this notice of adoption. If referendum procedures are initiated, the ordinance shall take effect in accordance with MCL 125.3402.

Sylvan Township Planning Commission Public Hearing: June 19, 2025

Sylvan Township Board Adoption: July 8, 2025

Publication Date:  July 16, 2025

Effective Date: July 24, 2025