MONTAGUE — The White River Township board unanimously approved a new short-term rental ordinance amendment during its monthly meeting Tuesday night. The new amendment will govern the use of township homes as short-term rentals.
Supervisor Ron Bailey reiterated the board's position from previous meetings that the new amendment is not an attempt to block the practice of short-term renting. The new amendment will limit the use of short-term rentals to one family at a time, thereby preserving the home in question as "a single-family residence," even if temporarily. An exception will be granted for properties with multiple buildings on the land; owners of those properties will be permitted to rent another building to a single family on a short-term basis in addition to residing in their own homes.
The board noted that the ordinance will be difficult to enforce and it will largely be up to the homeowners themselves to follow the ordinance.
Bailey shared an update on the enforcement of the state's renewable energy law, which went into effect last November but is under appeal from over 70 Michigan townships, including White River. The appeal has been approved to go forward, but the state's court of appeals rejected a request to stop the Michigan Public Service Commission from approving projects while the appeal is being heard.
Bailey and zoning administrator Bill Schmiege will meet with representatives of Lakeside Solar Tuesday, Jan. 21 regarding the latter's proposal to install a solar energy facility in the township. The meeting is a required step under the new renewable energy law.
Township resident Denise Eilers was unanimously appointed to the planning commission, replacing former chair Don Kline, who has left the commission but remains on the board of review. Fellow commissioner Lauren Wackernagel has taken Kline's role of chair.
The board also unanimously hired Keith Ramthun as a part-time maintenance worker. Mark Grattafiori previously held the position but has since moved out of the township.
The planning commission is continuing its work on the township's updated master plan, and is also putting together a parks and recreation plan, the latter of which is a prerequisite to apply for grants. The board unanimously approved a move of $8,000 from the township budget to the planning commission for legal fees to use to enlist help from Williams & Works in assembling the rec plan. Trustee Deb Harris said Williams & Works charges about $11,500 to municipalities for step-by-step assistance with assembling a rec plan and the board agreed it was a worthwhile investment.
The board also approved a $10,000 move from the legal fees budget to cover an anticipated shortage in February revenue, and approved $60 in contingency funds to be used to cover this year's tennis court maintenance coming in over budget.
