ZBA denies appeal, naturist site can expand

CADILLAC - A naturist campground in northwestern Wexford County has the green light to expand.

The Wexford County Zoning Board of Appeals denied an appeal from neighbors of the campground who were attempting to stop the owners from adding RV sites on 30 acres adjacent to the existing campground.

The campground is located on 6 1/2 Road between 7 Road and 9 Road in Wexford Township. The owners received a special use permit in April 2008 to develop 28 RV sites.

Neighbors filed the appeal. ZBA members voted 5-1 to deny the appeal. Prior to the meeting, each member of the board indicated they had visited the site.

Planning Commission Chairman Mike Solomon, who was part of the original decision to approve the expansion, explained to the ZBA that the road commission reviewed the area and said roads were adequate to accommodate RV traffic. The sheriff’s department also had no complaints about the property, Solomon said.

David Fox, a neighbor of the campground, told the ZBA the property in the area is primarily zoned agriculture and residential. He questioned the permit’s "seasonal" restriction and what that means.

Ray Fox also supported the appeal, stating agriculture is the predominant land use in the area and the township as a whole. The county erred when it re-zoned the property forest recreational.

Fox also said he was concerned about conflicts between farm equipment and RV traffic.

Matthew Vermetten, who opposed the appeal on behalf of the campground’s owners, said the campground is well-screened. The owners, Vermetten said, only intend to operate the grounds for about four months per year.

The current intent is scaled back from a proposed 36-site RV expansion denied in 2003 and 2004 by the planning commission, Vermetten said.

The expansion is needed to expand and adjust to changing market conditions, he said.

Wexford County Zoning Director Mike Green said the appellants have the option of appealing the ZBA and planning commission decision in Wexford County Circuit Court.

However, the appeal is limited to making sure the ruling boards followed proper procedures and laws, Green said.

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