By LISA BOWERS

Journal Staff Writer

MARQUETTE –The Chocolay Township Board will consider a first reading of proposed zoning ordinance updates including language that addresses short-term rental properties during its regular meeting at 5:30 Monday at the Chocolay Township Hall.

The Chocolay Township Planning Commission has been working on the issue since January 2017, and held public hearings on the proposed changes on March 19, according to background information provided by Planning Director/Zoning Administrator Dale Throenle.

The proposed language was also forwarded to the Marquette County Planning Commission as well as the township’s attorney for review prior to submitting it to the Chocolay Township Board.

Under the proposed changes, “rental dwellings” would be added as a permitted principal use in the commercial, agricultural and residential districts of the township.

A rental dwelling is defined by the proposed ordinance as: “A dwelling unit providing temporary accommodations for periods of one day or more for a fee; does not include bed and breakfast, group homes, hospitals, hotels, nursing homes or resorts.”

A letter dated April 5 from the Marquette County Resource Management and Development Department to Chocolay Township Clerk Max Engle indicates that the county planning commission failed to support the “rental dwelling component of the text amendments.”

“The proposed text amendments lump all rentals, regardless of term, into one definition,” the planning commission letter states. “The proposed amendment further allows all rentals as permitted principal uses in many districts. While it is important that municipal units are permissive of rentals, it should be noted that allowing all rentals as permitted principal uses would take away the Township’s ability to apply conditions that might otherwise be suitable under a special use permit.”

Other proposed changes to the zoning ordinances include updated time frames and approvals for site plan review, as well as additional requirements for site plans.

If the first reading is approved, the changes are subject to a second reading, likely at the board’s June 11 meeting. The board could also opt to send the language back to its planning commission for revision.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242. Her email address is lbowers@miningjournal.net.