The areas adjacent to the Village of Bellaire have steep slopes and are subject to erosion problems, which influences the ability to farm the land or to use on-site waste disposal systems. The slopes can be used effectively as buffers or natural barriers between areas that could be densely developed

and those areas that should be retained as agricultural and forestry lands, or be developed as very low density residential.

 

With the number of lakes with high water quality available for recreational purposes, the demand will continue to increase for recreational shore lands. The lakefront property that is poorly suited for development is about all that remains of vacant lakefront property. The next development area will be view sites on the ridges, which are difficult to reach with present roads. Attempts to develop the lakefront lands that are marginally capable of supporting development will continue.

 

According to the Antrim County Soil Survey, soils that are unfavorable to development include: Au Gres Finch Sands (0-4% slope), Croswell Sand (0­4% slope), Emmet Montcalm Complex (3-12% slope, 12-40% slope), Roscommon Mucky Sand, Tawas Muck, and Tawas-Ensley Complex. Soils that are favorable for development include: Deer Park- Roscommon Complex (0-20% slope), Kalkaska- East Lake Complex ( 6-40% slope), and Kalkaska- Montcalm Complex (0-12% slope).

 

 

In order to preserve the rural character and protect the natural resources of Forest Home Township, environmentally sensitive areas will have to be protected. Environmentally sensitive areas are sensitive to development due to soil types, drainage, vegetation, wildlife habitats, historical features or other factors that are subject to being seriously endangered, damaged or destroyed if allowed to develop in a manner inconsistent with their conservation and preservation. Environmentally sensitive areas may include wetlands, lands adjacent to wetlands, soils subject to leaching, steep slopes, shoreline areas, groundwater recharge areas, and others designated by the Township Board. See "Wetlands Map," "Soils Map," and "Steep Slope Map."

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SCENIC VIEWS

 

According to the Public Survey, 96.3% of the respondents strongly agree that Forest Home Township should protect our scenic views and 92% thought we should preserve rural roads.

 

Forest Home Township's rural character integrates elements of rural, agricultural and natural beauty, which complement and support each other. The sense of open space is created by panoramic views, which overlook agricultural acreage interspersed with uncultivated fields and stands of deciduous and coniferous trees.

 

Included in many of these views is the sight of clean, open water, which creates a spectacularly spacious effect. Trees or placement in lower shoreline areas shields many areas of existing residential development from general view. This screening gives both the impression and to some extent, the reality of a low-density vista.

 

Because our Township is a ridged peninsula, there are many scenic views in Forest Home Township. Scenic views have some or all of the following characteristics:

 

·        Accessible for viewing from a public road/ lake

·        Contains a natural skyline

·        Developed minimally

·        Contains a variety of landscape features

·        Provides a striking and spectacular natural vista

 

It is essential that these scenic views be identified on a Scenic View Map and evaluated for their quality, accessibility and protect ability.

 

Quality

·        Contains a natural/ rural skyline

·                Provides a wide angle of view (more than 90 degrees)

·        Includes more than four landscape features

·        Includes view of water body

·        Offers view of striking/ spectacular natural beauty

Accessibility

·         Visible from a public road

·        Visible from a water body

 

Protectability

·         Undeveloped

·        Open space

 

Forest Home Township should consider protecting scenic views in order to accomplish the Township goals of protecting our natural resources and preserving the rural character of our landscape.

 

This protection may be accomplished in a variety of ways:

 

·        Adopting a Prime Scenic View Map

·         Encouraging cluster and planned residential developments

·        Encouraging conservation easements

·        Locating telecommunications towers in non-scenic view areas

·        Other measures designed to protect scenic views

 

If these protection efforts are successful, then Forest Home Township will continue to be a beautiful peninsula with rural character.