A recent story in the LDN tells the tale about the trouble that can arise from poor zoning enforcement. It seems that PM Township approved the use of a grain silo to be used as a dwelling on the Buttersville peninsula. I do not approve  of over bearing and extremely restrictive zoning as long as surrounding property owners approve. However this is a case of an out of towner installing a metal silo which will be used as a 2 story residential structure. This is an agriculture structure and has no business being installed in a residential area. This is no different than a mobile home except this silo has no corners or flat roof. I doubt that a pole building would be allowed in the area and used as a residence. Many of the properties are million dollar homes and constructing a tin can among them is bad business. I blame the township for approving this construction and I would sue them if my property valuation is affected.

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In reviewing the PM Township Zoning Ordinances, I see on p. 64-65 (aka 3-23 and 3-24), I see in 3.34(j) that:  

"Dwellings shall be aesthetically compatible in design and appearance with other residences in the vicinity. The compatibility of design and appearance shall be determined in the first instance by the Township building inspector upon review of the plans submitted for a particular dwelling subject to appeal by an aggrieved party to the zoning board of appeals within a period of 15 days from the receipt of notice of said building inspector's decision. In making a determination of compatibility, the following standards shall be considered: 1) The general type and kind of architectural design and appearance of the proposed dwelling (as compared with the type and kind of architectural design and appearance of residential dwellings located outside a mobile home park and within 2,000 feet of the subject dwelling), where such area is developed with dwellings to the extent of not less than 20 percent of the lots situated within such area or, where such area is not so developed, the standard shall be the type and kind of architectural design and appearance of residential dwellings located throughout the Township.  2) The exterior appearance of dwellings in the neighborhood to the exterior appearance of the proposed dwelling.

I find it rather odd that the township building inspector did not find it incompatible using the existing ordinance, and that it did not go to the ZBA for a closer look.  The law seems to be there, but the process seems to have been bypassed as the neighbor suggests.  I find it very interesting, but out of place 

 I took a drive out there to see the progress on the Pere Marquette  shrine and also the silo house. Why should the people in that area  care, It does look in place as everyones grass in the area is 4 foot tall. They must be waiting for the contract baler to cut and bale it for horse feed. I kinda wonder what it sounds like inside in a hale storm .  LOL 

I also took a drive out there in order to take some photos. Unless one lives on a farm this silo would not be a welcomed addition to the neighborhood.

The grass is tall because it is dune grass which protects the sand from blowing away and drifting. the Monument  base appears to be finished so I assume the cross will be next on the agenda.

Maybe if they paint it white and adorn it with gaily colored polka dots it will be more acceptable and familiar to the residents of the peninsula.

Finn Town granary 

Needs a coat of camouflage 

Pox like polka dots.

Maybe a big windy seiche will blow it down. Belongs on a farm.

  There is a polka dot garage right down the road from the silo house . By the way, I don't think that is dune grass.

I still think it should have been looked at by more than just the township building inspector before it got approved, but the more I look at these houses, the more intrigued I am by them.  When finished, some of them look pretty sharp, you might have to do a double take to see that they're silo houses.  Low maintenance, no corners, put a wood stove in the center and you're golden.  Might be fearful the Russians mistake it for a nuclear missile silo, but I hope I can tour this when it's finally done, because I think they will make it special.

So are shipping crate container houses, or old school buses and defunct airplanes. They can be set up quickly.

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