Summary
The Glenn Arbor Planning Commission's March 1, 2025 public hearing addressed Item 3, a proposed amendment to Zoning Ordinance Version 5.1 concerning "Keyholing" — shared waterfront access arrangements. The document is the draft ordinance language itself, adding new definitions for "Marina" and "Keyholing," updating the Article IV land use table to permit Keyholing in certain districts, and adding a new Section V.2 establishing detailed standards for common waterfront use. The document does not record discussion, votes, or public testimony; it presents the proposed text for hearing consideration.
Infrastructure Projects
The proposed ordinance defines a Marina as a facility with three or more waterfront slips offering dockage, servicing, storing, fueling, and related boating services. It defines Keyholing as an arrangement where two or more families or entities share access to navigable water or abutting lands, regardless of how that access is obtained (easement, joint ownership, lease, condominium unit, corporate stock, etc.).
New Section V.2 would regulate Keyholing in the Residential V (Multiple Family), Resort, and Business districts, applying to riparian property on Lake Michigan, Big and Little Glen Lakes, Brooks Lake, Fisher Lake, the Crystal River, and other navigable watercourses. Key proposed standards include: a minimum 100 feet of shoreline frontage, increasing by 25 feet and 3,500 square feet of lot area for each family beyond four; one off-street parking space per dwelling with waterfront usage; no more than four slips, moorings, or hoists per 100 feet of shoreline; docks limited to one per 100 feet of shoreline, not exceeding 150 feet in length or four feet of water depth; a prohibition on boat launch facilities; required sanitary facilities (screened by vegetation) if the site serves twelve or more residences; a prohibition on overnight housing or camping on access parcels; a ban on sale/lease of slippage or mooring rights unless otherwise permitted; and a required ten-foot vegetative buffer strip where a common waterfront parcel abuts residential property. Site plans must include North arrow, water elevations, dock locations, parking, lighting, and recreational facility details, and cannot be modified without Planning Commission approval. The Planning Commission (or Township Board, if referred) would have authority to approve, deny, or condition approval based on potential nuisance, environmental impact, and public enjoyment of the waterbody.
Action Items
- Planning Commission to hold public hearing on the proposed Keyholing ordinance amendment (Item 3, Version 5.1).
- Site plan review procedures under Section XIV.7 and XIV.8 to apply to any future Keyholing common waterfront use applications.