Pentwater Township is a zoned community

 Zoning is a process for orderly growth, suitable use of land and to promote and safeguard the public health, safety, and general welfare of Pentwater Township residents.

 The same Community Zoning Ordinance and Master Plan govern the Township and Village of Pentwater.  However, they have separate zoning administrators, planning commissions, and zoning board of appeals.

 Zoning Administrator

The Township Supervisor with the approval of the Township Board appoints Zoning Administrator.

Richard Johnson is the Township Zoning Administrator.  Consult with Rich during planning stages of your construction project to make sure the project meets the requirements of the zoning ordinance.

Rich is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the zoning ordinance.  He is also the Township civil infraction enforcement officer.  Rich processes all applications received by the Township dealing with zoning, planning, commission activity, and zoning board of appeals issues.

The zoning administrator is the custodian of the official zoning district map.  He also created and maintains the official files for zoning permits issued and the planning commission and zoning board of appeals records.

The zoning administrator is a part-time position in Pentwater Township.

Planning Commission

The Township board appoints the members of the planning commission.  The commission is comprised of seven members, one of which must be, by state law, a Township Board Member.  The commission elects their chairman, vice-chairman, and secretary at their annual meeting.  Each member serves a three-year term with staggered expiration dates.  This is a volunteer position with compensation paid on a per meeting basis.  The State Planning Act requires the commission to schedule a minimum of four meetings per year.  When issues or applications are received that are too pressing and cannot wait until the next scheduled meeting the commission is authorized to call a special meeting to deal with the specific issue only.

The planning commission is responsible for reviewing and amending the Zoning Ordinance and Master Plan, reviewing and approving or denying special land use applications, land divisions requests, PUD’s and other issues that involve zoning.

With a Community Zoning Ordinance and Master Plan the Township and Village Planning Commissions work in partnership when dealing with matters pertaining to these documents.

 Zoning Board of Appeals

The zoning board of appeals is comprised of three regular members and two alternate members.  The township board appoints one regular member and both alternates.  One of the two remaining regular members is a member of the township board and the third regular member is a representative from the planning commission.  All meetings are at the call of the chairman.

The zoning boards of appeals responsibilities are to interpret the zoning ordinance, hold public hearings on requests for variances to the zoning ordinance and to hear appeals on zoning ordinance violation decisions.  Zoning board of appeals decisions may be appealed to the County Circuit Court.