Keene Township, Ionia County, Michigan
Public Notices
Amendments to the Commercial Section of the Solar Energy Ordinance
After careful consideration and discussion with our Township Attorney, we are placing the current draft of the proposed amendments to the commercial section of the solar energy ordinance here on the website for people to review. This draft includes the changes made at the 1-3-23 Planning Commission meeting and this draft has been sent to our Attorney for his review and comments. He is planning to attend the February 7 meeting if possible. Once a final draft is completed, a future public hearing date will be chosen. The future public hearing draft will be posted here and at the Township Hall notice box. Click on the link below to review the draft ordinance amendments.
Rezoning Adoption
The Keene Township Board approved two rezoning applications at the December 14, 2022 meeting. Click on "Rezone Notice" below for the notice details and "Rezone 2780 S Hawley" or "Rezone 2938 S Hawley" for the resolutions and ordinances of approval.
Recreational Marihuana Resolution of Fees and Application Time Line
The Board adopted the resolution and application form at the October 11 meeting. Click on "RM Resolution" below for the full wording and "RM App Form" for the full form and instructions of the application. Scroll further down for the adopted ordinances on recreational marihuana.
Solar Moratorium
The Township Board adopted on 10-11-22 a moratorium for 6 months to not accept any commercial solar energy project applications in the Township while ordinance amendments are being worked on by the Planning Commission. Click on "Moratorium Notice" for the full notice and "Moratorium Ordinance" for the full moratorium language ordinance.
Recreational Marihuana
The Keene Township Board adopted amendments to the Zoning Ordinance of a new section for recreational marijuana grower licenses as special land uses. The Board also adopted an opt-in stand-alone regulatory ordinance that will be administered by the Township Board that will coordinate with the zoning amendments. Click on " Notice Marihuana" below for the full notice and on "Zoning M Ordinance" for the actual zoning amendment ordinance. Click on "Rec M Ordinance" below to review the regulatory ordinance.
News
Check with your local Fire Department on Burn Permits
Below is a link to the Michigan DNR page for burning information
Meeting Dates
Keene Township Hall
8505 Potters Rd, Saranac, MI 48881
Keene Township Regular Meeting Dates
All Meetings Start at 7:00 pm unless posted differently
Township Board
2022-2023 Fiscal Year
April 12
May 10
June 14
July 12
August 9
September 13
October 11
November 8 is moved to the 9th
December 13 is moved to the 14th
January 10, 2023
February 14, 2023
March 14, 2023 (Regular and Annual Meeting)
Planning Commission
2023-2024 Fiscal Year
January 3
February 7
March 7
April 4
August 1
December 5
February 6, 2024
Zoning Board of Appeals
Meet only when an application is received
*See public notice above for any current applications
Announcements
See Assessor's page for the revised Guide to Small Business Taxpayer Personal Property Tax Exemption
Fall/Winter Township Newsletter
The new newsletter gives Township residents current info about Township news and activities. Click on "Fall Newsletter" below to read it.
The Township is looking for a new hall location
The parking situation has become a safety issue and we need a larger space for meetings. A Committee is being formed to look for vacant land or land with a building to remodel. If you know of any suitable property or want to serve on the Committee, email the Township with the subject line "Township New Location" at: keenetwp@gmail.com
Solar Energy INFO:
Invenergy held an open house on August 3. They provided answers to most of the resident's questions. Click on "Solar Info" below for information on questions and answers that were provided at this open house.
The Township Board held an informational meeting on June 23 with various experts to try and answer the resident's submitted questions. The meeting was recorded and if anyone was unable to attend, you can click on the links below to watch the presentation. There is also a link below with answers to many of the common questions.
Part 1 Keene Township Solar Information Meeting 6/23/2022
Part 2 Keene Township Solar Information Meeting 6/23/2022
Part 3 Keene Township Solar Information Meeting 6/23/2022
Part 4 Keene Township Solar Information Meeting 6/23/2022
Pending Recalls of 3 Board Members
A resident is trying to recall the Township Board. The first recall petition did not have enough legally valid signatures. A new recall petition is being circulated now. The recall is for the reason that the "Board adopted a solar ordinance" which was done in 2018 with Residents asking for this use and the Planning Commission adding the language which was adopted with no opposition. Some residential amendments were added in early 2022, both were recommended by the Planning Commission after public hearings and requested by Township residents. Studies show that solar panels are safe, non-toxic, and recyclable. Read the petition wording carefully and fact-check the claims in the letters. if you have questions about what you are told verbally or in the written wording, please contact a Board member or the Zoning Administrator for truthful answers.
Ionia County has scheduled 2022 household hazardous waste collection and electronic item drop-off sites and dates. Click on IC Item Disposal below for all of the information and dates and times.
Sunfield is participating in a new project to accept and to recycle agricultural plastic. Click on the link below for all the details.
Coronavirus (Covid-19) Information
Click on the links below for information details:
Michigan Dept of Health and Human Services
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Gypsy Moth Info
Click on the link below for Gypsy Moth information.
Cemetery Committee
We need a new chairperson!
The Cemetery Committee was formed to update records, find burials, map the cemeteries, mark the new area of Pinckney Cemetery and put the records in electronic format. We have done a great deal of work and have much more to do. However, our chairperson has moved away and we need a new chairperson to lead our group. If you have cemetery interest, please contact the Township to join us as a worker or take charge as the chairperson. Email: keenetwp@gmail.com or zoningadmin@msn.com