Planning Commission

Planning Department Mike Szokola December 2, 2021 Manistee County Planner 395 3rd St. City of Manistee Planning Commission Manistee, MI 49660 70 Maple St. 231.723.6041 Manistee, MI 49660 planning@manisteecountymi.gov Dear Planning Commission Members, I was asked to weigh in on viewsheds within a Zoning Ordinance. Viewshed protection is often implemented for public spaces to ensure the natural beauty of an area is not degraded by the appearance or presence of man-made structures. Some viewshed protection the City of Manistee has already implemented is night sky viewshed protection. Cutoff light fixtures being implemented as part of SUP is part of viewshed protection. Onekama Township has had issues in the past with viewshed protection of parcel owners behind lake parcel owners stating that their viewshed should be protected and that front or lakeside parcel owners developing has affected their property values negatively by developing on lakeside parcels. To combat this Onekama Township felt they should put in their Zoning Ordinance the following: 1007. Water Protection: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Ordinance, the following provisions shall apply: A. No dwelling or other structure shall be built, located or constructed closer than forty (40) feet on a horizontal plane to the edge of bodies of water in any land use district, except: 1. Boat Dock 2. Stairs 3. Patios and/or decks which are built so the surface of the floor is the same level as the ground, below ground, or not more than one (1) foot above ground. If the deck includes a railing, it shall be an open railing design. B. Nothing in this Ordinance is intended to protect the view shed of any back parcel structure. If the Planning Commission feels this is something they would like to add, I would first check with the City Attorney to ensure that another State law does not have precedent, and if not look to add similar language to the general regulations section of the Zoning Ordinance. If you have any further questions or concerns, feel free to contact me via email or phone. Sincerely, Mike Szokola Planning Director Manistee County