WATERFRONT COMMERCIAL AREA

Three rivers flow through Forest Home Township: Intermediate River, Grass River and Clam River. The Intermediate River flows through the Village of Bellaire and the Bellaire Zoning Ordinance affects its future. Grass River flows through both Forest Home Township and Custer Township. Parts of Grass River's shoreline are protected by the Grass River Natural Area, Inc. (a county nature preserve), as well as the Forest Home Township Wetlands Ordinance and Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Wetlands Regulations. Custer Township does not have a zoning ordinance at this time. Clam River is affected by the zoning ordinances of Forest Home Township and Helena Township.

The Forest Home Township Commercial Area has traditionally been located along Clam River and Clam Lake. This area has a hundred year history of providing commercial services for boats: boat repair, boat engine repair, boat rental, boat slip rental, boat storage, boat fueling and food service.

Clam River and Clam Lake are environmentally sensitive areas. Because intensive development along the shoreline can negatively impact the water quality of Clam Lake, Clam River and Torch Lake, this area is not an ideal location for intense residential development or large-scale commercial activities.

Clam River should be designated as the Historical Commercial Area and continue to provide the historical uses that depend on the water and that service the local community. This continuation will help to achieve the Township goals of encouraging land use that is consistent with rural character.

Commercial activities in this area should be conducted in such a way as to protect high water quality and insure safe navigation. These limitations will insure that the Township goal to preserve and protect our Township's natural resources will continue to be met in the future.