Public Notices (Published September 26, 2024)

SUMMARY
TOWNSHIP OF NORTH STAR, GRATIOT COUNTY, MICHIGAN
NOTICE OF ORDINANCE ADOPTION

To: The residents and property owners of the Township of North Star, Gratiot County, Michigan and any other interested persons.

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that at a regular meeting held on July 8, 2024, the Township Board passed this ordinance known as the Blight Ordinance (as amended 6/20/24).
The summary of the ordinance appears below.

BLIGHT ORDINANCE (as Amended)

Section 1. Purpose. It is the purpose of this Ordinance to prevent, reduce or eliminate blight or potential blight in North Star Township.

Section 2. Causes of Blight or Blighting Factors. Structures and activities are causes of blight or blighting factors which, if allowed to exist, will tend to result in blighted and undesirable neighborhoods. These causes will not be permitted on and after the effective date of this Ordinance upon any property in North Star Township.
A. Any parking, storage or accumulation of inoperable motor vehicles must be completely enclosed in a building or enclosed in a fence that would hide such accumulation from view. No such storage or accumulation is allowed which presents a hazard to public health or safety. An inoperable motor vehicle is defined as a motor vehicle not in operating condition and eligible for use in accordance with the requirements of the Michigan Vehicle Code. Nothing in this ordinance shall prohibit the storage, out-of-doors, of operable motor vehicles and or recreational motor vehicles and operable trailers commonly licensed for farm use whether currently licensed or not.
B. Storage upon any property of building materials, outside of a fully enclosed building, without a valid building permit in force issued by the appropriate county or township building official. Furthermore, limits to building materials allowed exist and building materials are defined.
C. In any area, the storage or accumulation of junk, trash, rubbish or refuse of any kind without a land-fill permit, except domestic refuse stored in such a manner as not to create a nuisance for a period not to exceed thirty days. The term “junk” is defined at length.
D. In any area, the existence of any structure or part of any structure, which, because of fire, wind or other natural disaster, or physical deterioration is no longer habitable, if a dwelling, nor useful for any other purpose of which it may have been intended.
E. In any area, the existence of any vacant dwelling, garage or other outbuilding with certain exceptions defined.
F. In any area, the existence of any partially completed structure, with exceptions defined.
G. In any area, the existence of any dangerous vegetation or blighted factor that poses a danger to adjacent properties or persons.

Section 3. Enforcement and Penalties.
A. This Ordinance shall be enforced by such persons who shall be so designated by the Township Board.
B. First offense: Upon the first offense, a notice of violation shall be personally served by the code enforcement officer upon the owner or an adult occupant of the property with exceptions as defined.
Subsequent violations: Upon subsequent or repeat violations by the same offender at the same address such written notice will not be required. All subsequent or repeat violations shall immediately be deemed a misdemeanor and follow the fine schedule and process outlined in sections 3E and 3F.
A notice of violation shall contain the following:
1. Date and time of issuance of said notice, name, mailing address and phone number of the code enforcement officer issuing the notice.
2. Address of the property in violation
3. Name of the owner or adult occupant if personal service is made
4. Description of the materials or vehicle found in violation and its location on the property
5. Statement with specific corrections required before the expiration of thirty (30) days of the date of issuance of the notice
6. Statement the refusal, failure or neglect to comply before the expiration of such period of thirty (30) days shall constitute a misdemeanor and that process defined at length.
7. Statement that the person has the right to appeal the notice of violation to the township board by way of a written notice submitted to the code enforcement officer issuing the notice prior to the expiration of fourteen (14) days from the date of issuance of the notice of violation.

C. A compliance agreement between the code enforcement officer and the person, firm or corporation whom owns, leases, rents or occupies the property is required to be written and signed within fourteen (14) days of contact.
D. After issuance of a notice of violation by a code enforcement officer and the refusal, failure, or neglect by the person to comply as provided in this article before the expiration of the thirty (30) day period prescribed, the designated code enforcement officer or township may, in lieu of or in addition to arrest and criminal prosecution and/or the institution of other action provided by law, enforce the provision of this ordinance. Enforcement can, but is not limited to, the actions outlined in section 4.
E. Any violation of this Ordinance shall constitute a nuisance per se. This section outlines the penalties for violations of this Ordinance including a fine not to exceed $500 as well as imprisonment not to exceed ninety (90) days or both. Each continued day of the violation shall constitute continued penalties as defined.
F. In the event a Court Order is entered ordering the abatement of such nuisance, this section outlines actions taken by the Township designee to ensure the Defendant complies with the Order and the consequences if there is no compliance. Costs and fees incurred for compliance could be added to the tax rolls or as otherwise defined.

Section 4. Compliance. In order to be in compliance with this ordinance, the property in which a complaint is against must be substantially and materially free of blight factors described in the complaint and as defined in Section 2 as determined by the code enforcement officer. In order to ensure compliance, the property owner or adult occupant can perform, but is not limited to:
A. Any blighted factors outlined in Section 2 may be repaired, replaced or removed by the owner or adult occupant.
B. The designated code enforcement officer or township may remove and dispose of blight materials as defined which shall be paid by the owner of the property from which the materials were removed; and such expenses shall constitute a lien against the property until paid.
C. Any abandoned vehicle or inoperable vehicle may be taken into custody and removed or caused to be removed by a member of the Sheriff’s Department, and disposed of in accordance with applicable provisions of the Michigan Vehicle Code (MCL 257.1 et seq). Recovery of expenses incurred by the designated code enforcement officer or township shall be provided by such Act. And any deficit of expenses not so recovered shall constitute a civil claim in favor of the township.
D. Any structure or part of any structure, that is visible from the roadway frontage and is no longer habitable or useful for any purpose, due to several reasons listed is considered a blighted structure. The township may repair, replace, or remove the blighted structure as defined and such expenses shall constitute a lean against the property until paid.
E. For any area, the existence of any vacant dwelling, garage or other outbuilding will be securely locked, windows kept glazed or boarded up and otherwise protected to prevent entrance thereto by vandals, animals or other unauthorized person by the township.
F. Following the final approved site inspection completed by the code enforcement officer to determine compliance, the township will receive a notice of compliance and will have thirty (30) days to provide a written response. If no response is received within the thirty (30) day period, the complaint will be closed.
Section 5. Severability. Should any provision or part of the within Ordinance be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the balance of this Ordinance which shall remain in full force an effect.

Section 6. Effective Date and Adoption.
A. This ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days after its publication as required by law. All Ordinances or parts of Ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed.
B. This Ordinance was adopted by the Township Board of the Township of North Star, Gratiot County, Michigan at the Regular meeting thereof held on Monday, July 8, 2024.
PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the full text of this Ordinance will be available for inspection at the office of the Township Clerk or for download on the Township website from the date of this publication.

NORTH STAR TOWNSHIP
Heidi Drowley, Clerk
3064 S. Crapo Rd., Ithaca, MI 48847 (989) 875-3352

PUBLIC NOTICE
City of Ithaca Residents and Interested Parties

Special Use Permit
The City of Ithaca Planning Commission will hold a Regular Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 5:00 PM or as soon thereafter for a Special Use Permit as submitted by Adam & Brandy Harger; for approval of an accessory building (24’ x 48’) on their property located at 720 Leeward Court (identified as parcel 52-004-031-00).
If unable to attend, written comments may be submitted to the City Clerk by 4:00 PM on Monday, October 7, 2024 at City Hall or e-mailed to clerk@ithacami.com.

Cathy Cameron
City Clerk

FULTON TOWNSHIP SPECIAL PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING AND PUBLIC HEARING
Fulton Township gives notice of a Special Planning Commission Meeting and Public Hearing on Tuesday, October 15th at 8:00pm at the Fulton Township Hall, located at 3425 W. Cleveland Rd., Perrinton, MI 48871, to present and deliberate on a proposed solar ordinance for Fulton Township.
The public hearing is open to the public. Comments or concerns may be presented in person, by counsel, by personal representative or by letter. A copy of the proposed solar ordinance will be available for viewing at the Fulton Township Hall during regular business hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 9am-12 noon and 1-4 pm.
Written comments or complaints may be sent to Fulton Township, PO Box 68, Perrinton, MI 48871 and must be received prior to the public hearing. Fulton Township will provide auxiliary aids or services to individuals with disabilities. Persons needing such services should contact the township office not less than five days before the public hearing.
Denise Rossman, Fulton Township Clerk