The Michigan Department of Transportation has just announced it will close the Dorr Road bridge over I-96 starting Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 through Friday November 8, 2024.

The recommended detour route will be Grand River Avenue and Challis Road.

Questions should be directed to the MDOT Brighton Transportation Service Center at (810) 227-4681.

Frequently Asked Election Questions concerning the November 5 2024 General Election

The Livingston County Road Commission has opened the new roundabout at Challis and Bauer roads.

The Township contributed $500,000 towards this project which will alleviate congestion and improve public safety by eliminating the steep hill on Bauer Road north of Challis Road. 

Please click on this link to view the vicinity plan from the Road Commission showing how the new road is designed. Please contact Garrett Olson, Construction Engineer, at the Livingston County Road Commission with any questions at 517-546-4250.

Please click this link to see an aerial view of the new roundabout.

Challis - Bauer Road Reconstruction Plans

Vicinity sheet showing proposed roundabout and reconstruction of the Bauer Road and Challis Road intersections.

Challis and Bauer Roundabout - Aerial Photo

*LOCATION CHANGE*

SPECIAL MEETING

GENOA CHARTER TOWNSHIP

PLANNING COMMISSION

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024

6:30 P.M.

The Genoa Charter Township Planning Commission will hold a special public hearing meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The special meeting will be located at the Brighton Center of Performing Arts at the Brighton High School which is located at 7878 Brighton Road, Brighton, Michigan 48116. The public hearing is for the following requests:

OPEN PUBLIC HEARING #1... Consideration of an amendment to the Latson Road Innovation Interchange PUD Agreement, Environmental Impact Assessment and conceptual PUD Plan. The PUD amendment includes amendments to the list of uses, PUD design guidelines and the conceptual PUD plan. The parcels included in the request are as follows: 1882 Latson Road (4711-08-400-020), 1896 Latson Road (4711-08-400-006), 1908 Latson Road (4711-08-400-004), 3799 Clover Bend Ct. (4711-08-400-012), 3796 Clover Bend Ct, (4711-08-400-013), 3854 Clover Bend Ct. (4711-08-400-014), 3912 Clover Bend Ct. (4711-08-400-015) and vacant parcel #4711-200-008 which are located south of the CSX Rail Line on the west side of Latson Road. Also includes 1895 Latson Road (4711-09-300-031) located east of Latson Road and south of the CSX Rail Line and vacant parcel #4711-09-300-044 located on the north side of Beck Road, south of expressway ramp. The request also includes the removal of parcel 4711-09-300-040 (5.74 acres) that is currently zoned ICPUD and is proposed to be removed from the existing Innovation Interchange PUD and incorporated into the proposed Latson Road/I-96 Interchange Commercial PUD . The request is petitioned by Todd Wyett.

OPEN PUBLIC HEARING #2… Consideration of a rezoning application, PUD Agreement, Environmental Impact Assessment and conceptual PUD Plan requesting approval for the Latson Road/I-96 Interchange Commercial PUD.  The proposed development involves rezoning parcel 4711-09-300-046 (7.44 acres) from CE to ICPUD.   Parcel 4711-09-300-040 (5.74 acres) is currently zoned ICPUD and is proposed to be removed from the existing Innovation Interchange/Latson Road PUD and incorporated into the proposed Latson Road/I-96 Interchange Commercial PUD with parcel 4711-09-300-046. The parcels are located east of Latson Road, between Beck Road and the CSX rail line. The request is petitioned by Todd Wyett.

Please address any written comments to the Planning Commission at the Genoa Township Hall, 2911 Dorr Road, Brighton, MI 48116 or via email at amy@genoa.org. All materials related to this request may be examined at the Township Hall during normal business hours. Genoa Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon ten (10) days' notice to the Township

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

GENOA CHARTER TOWNSHIP, LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN

NOTICE OF PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024

DRAFT - ORDINANCE #Z-24-03

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 10 ENTITLED PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT
 

Pursuant to Michigan Public Act 110 of 2006, (the Zoning Enabling Act) and Michigan Public Act 359 of 1947, (the Charter Township Act), notice is hereby given that the Genoa Charter Township Board of Trustees has conducted the first reading and will be performing the second reading and considering ordinance Z 24-03 addressing amendments to Zoning Ordinance Article 10 Planned Unit Development. Consideration of said amendment is scheduled for the Board meeting on Monday, September 16th, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is planned to be held at the Township Hall located at 2911 Dorr Road, Brighton, Michigan 48116.

The text of the proposed ordinance amendment is available below or at the Township Office during regular business hours. 

DRAFT - ORDINANCE #Z-24-03

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 10 ENTITLED “PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT”

THE TOWNSHIP OF GENOA ORDAINS:

SECTION 1:    SHORT TITLE:   This Ordinance shall be known as the “Amendment to Zoning Ordinance Article 10 entitled “Planned Unit Development”.

SECTION 2:  SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE:  Pursuant to the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act (P.A. 110 of 2006), notice is hereby given that an ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance regulating the development and use of land in Genoa Charter Township has been adopted by the Township Board on _________, 2024.  The Board conducted the second reading and approved Ordinance #Z-24-03 to adopt the ordinance and amend the Zoning Ordinance of the Charter Township of Genoa by amending Article 10 Planned Unit Development.   The following provides a summary of the regulatory effect of the ordinance.  

ARTICLE 10 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE, ENTITLED “PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT”, IS HEREBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Section 10.02.05 SEWER AND WATER is amended as follows:
•    Sewer and Water.  The site shall be served by public sewer and public water.  The Township may approve a residential PUD that is not served by public sewer or water, provided all lots shall be at least one (1) acre in area unless approved by the Township in accordance with the requirements provided in Section 10.03.01(d). 

Section 10.03.01 RESIDENTIAL PUD is amended as follows:

•    (b)          Dimension Standards: is amended with the deletion of “the Planning Commission may approve a RPUD without public water and sewer provided all lots shall be at least one (1) acre in area and the requirements of the County Health Department are met. 
•    (d)    Cluster Option:  The Planning Commission may approve an RPUD cluster housing project without public water or sewer to allow not more than a twenty-five percent (25%) reduction in the one (1) acre lot size requirement where it meets each of the following:

1.    The overall density is not less than one (1) dwelling unit per acre of land in the RPUD and that any reduction in lot size below one (1) acre shall be off-set with an equal corresponding amount of preserved upland open space to be included in accordance Section 10.03.01(d)(5).   

2.    There are existing suitable soil conditions without restrictions for a conventional onsite system for both an active and reserve field that meet the requirements of the County Health Department.  

3.    An open space cluster development shall result in a recognizable and substantial benefit, both to the residents of the property and to the overall quality of life in the Township.  The benefits can be provided through site design elements in excess of the requirements of this Ordinance, such as extensive landscaping, unique site design features, preservation of woodlands and open space, particularly along major thoroughfares or lakes, buffering development from wetlands and shorelines, and provision of buffers from adjacent residential.  

4.    The site shall preserve significant natural features such as woodlands, significant views, natural drainage ways, regulated or non-regulated wetlands, or natural corridors that connect quality wildlife habitats which would be in the best interest of the Township to preserve and which might be negatively impacted by conventional residential development.  

5.    The proposed development shall be designed to create a cohesive neighborhood through a network of spaces such as parks and common open space areas for recreation and resident interaction.  All open space areas shall be equally available to all residents of the development.

6.    The site shall be under single ownership or control, such that there is a single person or entity having proprietary responsibility for the full completion of the project.  The applicant shall provide sufficient documentation of ownership or control in the form of agreements, contracts, covenants, and/or deed restrictions that indicate that the development will be completed in its entirety as proposed.

7.    A minimum of 50% of the total site area shall be preserved as open space for recreation or conservation and shall be exclusive of road rights-of-way or other improvements.  Such open space shall be arranged on the site to meet all of the following requirements, provided the Planning Commission may modify these standards where it is demonstrated that additional natural features will be preserved elsewhere on the site:

a)    A one hundred (100) foot deep open space area shall be preserved along road frontages bordering the open space cluster development and adjacent to existing residential lots.

b)    All wetlands and areas within fifty (50) feet of a wetland or shoreline shall be preserved as open space with signs provided to demarcate the location of the natural features setback.  Lakes and ponds shall not be included in open space area calculations.

c)    Open space shall be located to minimize removal of woodlands.

d)    Open space may include recreational trails, picnic areas, parks and greenways.  The Planning Commission may permit recreational structures within the open space.

8.    The dedicated open space shall be set aside by the developer through an irrevocable conveyance that is found acceptable to the Township, such as:  recorded deed restrictions, covenants that run-in perpetuity with the land, or conservation easements.  Such conveyance shall assure that the open space will be protected from all forms of development and shall never be changed to another use.  Where deed restrictions are utilized for the protection of open space, the Township shall be made a party to the deed restrictions and such restrictions applicable to the open space shall not be amended.  Building permits for home construction shall not be granted until such deed restrictions are recorded with the County Register of Deeds and copies are filed with the Township.  The developer may dedicate the open space to a conservation organization or the Township, provided such dedication shall be subject to approval by the Township Board.

9.    A preservation and maintenance plan for the open space shall be submitted with the final preliminary plat or final site condominium plan and shall include mechanisms for the long-term funding of open space preservation.  The Township may require bonds or other funding mechanisms to ensure long term maintenance of open space.

10.    Reasonable conditions may be required with approval of an open space cluster development for the purpose of ensuring that public services and facilities affected by a proposed land use or activity will be capable of accommodating increased service and facility loads caused by the land use or activity, protecting the natural environment and conserving natural resources, ensuring compatibility with adjacent uses of land, promoting the use of land in a socially and economically desirable manner, and further the implementation of the Township Master Plan.

REPEALOR:  All ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are repealed.

SEVERABILITY:  Should any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or word of this Ordinance be held invalid for any reason, such decisions shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the Ordinance.

SAVINGS:  This amendatory ordinance shall not affect violations of the Zoning Ordinance or any other ordinance existing prior to the effective date of this Ordinance and such violation shall be governed and shall continue to be separate  punishable to the full extent of the law under the provisions of such ordinance at the time the violation was committed.  

EFFECTIVE DATE:  These ordinance amendments were adopted by the Genoa Charter Township Board of Trustees at the regular meeting held on ________, 2024 and ordered to be given publication in the manner required by law.  This ordinance shall be effective seven days after publication.  
 

Genoa Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township in writing or by calling at (810) 227-5225. 

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

GENOA CHARTER TOWNSHIP, LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MICHIGAN

NOTICE OF PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT TO BE HEARD AT THE SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2024 MEETING

Pursuant to Michigan Public Act 110 of 2006, (the Zoning Enabling Act) and Michigan Public Act 359 of 1947, (the Charter Township Act), notice is hereby given that the Genoa Charter Township Board of Trustees has conducted the first reading and will be performing the second reading and considering an ordinance addressing amendments to Zoning Ordinance Article 16 Sign Standards. Consideration of said amendment is scheduled for the Board meeting on Monday, September 16th, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting is planned to be held at the Township Hall located at 2911 Dorr Road, Brighton, Michigan 48116.  

The complete text of the proposed ordinance is available below or at the Township Office during regular business hours.  
 

DRAFT ORDINANCE AMENDMENT    

DRAFT - ORDINANCE #Z-24-02

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ZONING ORDINANCE ARTICLE 16 ENTITLED “SIGN STANDARDS”

THE TOWNSHIP OF GENOA ORDAINS:

SECTION 1:    SHORT TITLE:   This Ordinance shall be known as the “Amendment to Zoning Ordinance Article 16 entitled “Sign Standards”.

SECTION 2:  SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE:  Pursuant to the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act (P.A. 110 of 2006), notice is hereby given that an ordinance to amend the Zoning Ordinance regulating the development and use of land in Genoa Charter Township has been adopted by the Township Board on _________, 2024.  The Board conducted the second reading and approved Ordinance #Z-24-02 to adopt the ordinance and amend the Zoning Ordinance of the Charter Township of Genoa by amending Article 16 Sign Standards.   The following provides a summary of the regulatory effect of the ordinance.  

ARTICLE 16 OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE, ENTITLED “SIGN STANDARDS”, IS HEREBY AMENDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Section 16.02 DEFINITIONS is amended as follows:
•    16.02.11 is amended as follows: Incidental/Informational sign: a permanent sign which is incidental, accessory and subordinate to a permitted use which is located upon the building site on which said sign is erected or maintained and is intended to provide only noncommercial, site-specific pedestrian, environmental, educational or interpretive information. Examples include but are not limited to a building entrance/exit sign, open/closed sign, days/hours of operation sign, restroom sign, establishment affiliation signs, trail marker, educational plaques and gas station pump island signs. 
•    16.02.15 is amended to clarify the typical construction of a parking lot sign.

Section 16.03 APPLICATION OF STANDARDS is amended as follows:
•    16.03.02(h) is amended as follows: Incidental/Informational signs: Incidental/informational signs are permitted within the
non-residential districts, but are subject to the setbacks applicable to principal buildings for the zoning district and shall not exceed four (4) square feet in size with a maximum height of six (6) feet.

Section 16.04 PROHIBITED SIGNS is amended as follows:  
•    16.04.04 related to Pole Signs is deleted and related subsection items below it are re-numbered as appropriate.  
•    16.04.13 is amended as follows: Vacant land.  Signs on vacant land shall be prohibited except for temporary signs as provided in Section 16.03.02(f).  

Section 16.07 SPECIFIC SIGN STANDARDS is amended as follows: 
•    16.07.06 is amended to allow the inclusion of the following: Incidental/Informational signs: Incidental/informational signs are permitted within the nonresidential districts, but are subject to the setbacks applicable to principal buildings for the
zoning district and shall not exceed four (4) square feet in size with a maximum height of six (6) feet and related subsection items below it are re-numbered as appropriate.  
•     16.07.08 Municipal and non-profit organization signs is amended to include wall and/or monument signs.
•     16.07.09 is amended to include the following:  Pole signs are permitted subject to the sign standards contained herein provided that the signs are subject to the setbacks applicable to principal buildings for the zoning district in which they are located and shall not exceed four (4) square feet in size with a maximum height of six (6) feet.   
•    Table 16.1 Sign Dimensional Standards and Regulations is amended as follows:
o    Footnote (6) (b) is corrected to 16.12 for residential identification signs.

REPEALOR:  All ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are repealed.

SEVERABILITY:  Should any section, subsection, paragraph, sentence, clause, or word of this Ordinance be held invalid for any reason, such decisions shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions of the Ordinance.

SAVINGS:  This amendatory ordinance shall not affect violations of the Zoning Ordinance or any other ordinance existing prior to the effective date of this Ordinance and such violation shall be governed and shall continue to be separate punishable to the full extent of the law under the provisions of such ordinance at the time the violation was committed.  

EFFECTIVE DATE:  These ordinance amendments were adopted by the Genoa Charter Township Board of Trustees at the regular meeting held on ________, 2024 and ordered to be given publication in the manner required by law.  This ordinance shall be effective seven days after publication.  

Genoa Charter Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aids and services to individuals with disabilities at the meeting/hearing upon seven (7) days’ notice to the Township. Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the Township in writing or by calling at (810) 227-5225. 

The 2024 Summer Tax Bills were mailed to all Genoa Township property owners on Monday, July 1, 2024. Summer taxes are payable, without penalty, through Monday, 9/16/24.  The 2024 Summer Tax amounts are available on the Township Website at www.genoa.org

Payments can be made online by credit card or electronic check, at the township offices by cash or check, by mail to Genoa Township, 2911 Dorr Rd., Brighton, MI 48116, placed in the Township drop box, or by filing ACH paperwork to set up an automatic withdrawal.

Please contact the Treasurer's Office at (810) 227-5225 if you have any questions or if you do not receive your bill.

LIVINGSTON COUNTY RECYCLING EVENTS:

Household Hazardous Waste Drop Off Events (HHW)

May 18, 2024 Sign Up Link
July 13, 2024 – Link will be opened no later than June 1, 2024
September 21, 2024 – Link will be opened no later than August 10, 2024

Website Link - https://www.milivcounty.gov/dpw/

Location of each event will be sent with confirmations. 

If you don’t get a confirmation within 48 hours please email us at solidwaste@livgov.com including name address and email used for the sign up.

IN THE EVENT THAT A SIGN UP IS FULL - Try again every few days as people sign up and cancel regularly and spots will be added weekly.  Generally, the last week before the event there are also a good amount of cancellations.

These events provide a free and convenient opportunity for residents to safely eliminate unwanted hazardous materials from their home, workshop and garage. 

Click on the following link for Accepted Items: HHW Acceptable Items List.  Acceptable Materials List will also be emailed with the online confirmation. 

 Items can only be dropped off on event days and only with a REQUIRED APPOINTMENT. 

Electronics Recycling:

Date/Time:  August 17, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  – NO APPOINTMENTS NECESSARY
Location – 3535 Grand Oaks, Drive, Howell (Livingston County Road Commission)

ChemTrend in Howell has once again offered Livingston County an Electronics Recycling Grant.

Scrap Tire Collection Event

Date/Time – October 5, 2024  from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Sign Up Link – WILL BE OPENED NO LATER THAN MAY 1, 2024

The Scrap Tire Collection Sign Up will be emailed out when developed.   You can also check the Solid Waste Page periodically to see if it is posted

  Recycling Guide:

Recycling Guide Link:  Livingston County Recycling Guide 

Genoa Charter Township is concerned a deadly disease known as oak wilt caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum is a threat to the Township's oak population. Improper tree trimming/removal practices may result in the establishment of oak wilt disease epicenters, which may lead to increased disease activity with devastating aesthetic and economic losses. It is therefore both advisable and prudent to attempt to prevent and control oak wilt.

The entire resolution can be found here

Oak Wilt Resolution

The Brighton Area Fire Authority is seeking residents living in Genoa Township, Brighton Township and the City of Brighton who are willing to serve their community as a Paid-On-Call Firefighter.

• No experience necessary, just the motivation to learn and serve
• All required training is provided and compensated
• Academy classes are held on evening/weekends

To apply, interested applicants can go to www.brightonareafire.com or in person at 615 W. Grand River, Brighton, MI 48116

Any questions please call the Brighton Area Fire Authority at 810 229-6640.

Brighton Area Fire Recruitment Advertisement

We are a Zoned Community
By Paulette A. Skolarus

What that means is that even though you own the land, you cannot put just anything you want on the property you own. Every piece of land within the township has a specific zoning. It can be residential, industrial, commercial or neighborhood service district. Under residential zoning there is agricultural (10 acres), country estate (5 acres), rural residential (2 acres), low-density residential (1 acre), suburban residential (21,780 sq. ft.), etc. Each one of these zonings have separate dimensional standards including size of homes, setbacks and heights of buildings.  Being a zoned community helps to maintain a certain standard for our community and allows for orderly development and assures compatibility of size, style and structure of buildings. Without zoning a property owner could build their home on the lot line instead of 50' from the street; park their boat or trailer in the front yard; or put a gas station near your home.

 Our ordinance is in place to protect you and your property values.  The same types of standards are established for commercial, industrial and neighborhood service properties. Any person or property with commercial or industrial zoning must conform to the standards of the Township Zoning Ordinance. The township may not deny a person or property owner from developing their land unless they do not meet the standards of the ordinance. In the case of commercial development, the township requires a certain amount of landscaping, colors of the building to be compatible with neighboring properties, setback standards, height of the building, etc.

On occasion, property owners cannot meet the minimum requirements for development of their property. If this happens the owner may petition the Zoning Board of Appeals for a variance at a public hearing. Neighboring properties within 300 feet of the development are notified in writing by the township of the request for a variance. Then a public hearing is scheduled to hear the request of the business or homeowner. Any variance that is approved must carry with it a practical difficulty related to the land.  Example: The land or parcel is too small to accommodate the minimum square footage or the terrain will only provide one housing site location on the parcel. Each petition is handled on a separate request and the Zoning Board of Appeals may or may not grant a variance.

The Genoa Township Zoning Board of Appeals is made up of five members of our community.  These board members make tough decision and have a difficult job in denying or approving variances for our residents and at the same time they keep our township orderly and beautiful.

Genoa Township is giving out free radon testing kits. The testing kit and instructions are available at Township Hall. 

The naturally-occurring, tasteless, odorless and colorless gas comes from the natural, radioactive breakdown of uranium in soil, rock and water and gets into the air. It enters buildings through openings in  foundation floors or walls such as sump openings, crawlspaces, floor or wall joints and cracks. 

In Livingston County, approximately 40% of homes have elevated radon levels, according to information on the county's website from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality. 

For more information on this program and on radon in general, please visit the Livingston County Health Department Radon page.