New Buffalo Township approves marijuana zoning ordinance amendment

Members of the New Buffalo Township Board approved a marijuana zoning ordinance amendment at their Monday, April 17, meeting.

The approval adds new Article 2.2.11 to the township’s zoning ordinance, where the boundaries of the Marihuana Business Overlay Zone are generally described as follows: Provisioning centers/ retailers and microbusinesses are permitted as special land uses in the portions of the C-1 and Industrial Districts located on each side of US 12 from the City of New Buffalo city limit to the state line and each side of Grand Avenue, with grow, processors, and secure transporters being permitted as special land uses in the Industrial Districts located on each side of US 12 from the City of New Buffalo city limit to the state line.; provisioning centers/ retailers and microbusinesses are permitted as special land uses in the portions of the C-1 and C-2 zoning districts located on each side of US 12 from the east side of I-94 at Exit 4 to Hoder Road and provisioning centers/retailers and microbusinesses are permitted as special land uses in the portions of the C-1 and C-2 zoning districts located on each side of Harbor Country Drive and M-239 from Holiday Drive to the state line, including the south side Holiday Drive to Kinst Road and O’Brien Court.

New Buffalo Township Supervisor Michelle Heit said that the board views allowing marijuana dispensaries to operate within the township as an “opportunity for economic development in areas of the township that haven’t seen

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

activity in decades.”

“The township decided to address the possibility of a referendum that was initiated by others to allow marijuana establishments...We wanted to be proactive and approve the ordinance on our terms and allow it only in designated areas,” she said.

Heit added that this decision wasn’t “made lightly and the board worked closely with the Planning Commission and our zoning administrator throughout the entire process.”

Board members also adopted a marijuana regulatory ordinance, which Heit said “states what we’re allowing and not allowing” with regards to marijuana dispensaries as well as an overlay map.

Board members adopted a resolution to establish a yearly fee of $5,000 for a marijuana establishment application as well as the application.

Board members adopted a resolution that appoints Heit as the emergency liaison to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office.

The hiring of Monique Carpenter and Sam Donnelly at $15 an hour and Ben Coffeen at $16 an hour for the seasonal park employee positions upon receiving background checks, drug tests and physicals was approved. The new escrow policy was approved.

Board members approved a special events fireworks ordinance and application as well as adopted a resolution to establish a fee of $400 for a special event fireworks display permit. Heit said that the ordinance sets forth guidelines for those who want to have fireworks for special events, such as weddings, in nonresidential districts.

Board members approved clerk Judith Zabicki negotiating on the township’s behalf in an agreement with the local community and Berrien County clerk regarding the nine days of early voting in upcoming elections.

Due to statewide approval of Proposal 2 last November, Zabicki said that Michigan now has nine days of early voting for federal and possibly “lesser elections.”

There will be a precinct set up, where members of the public will come in and, like a regular voting day, put ballots through to be processed. Election workers will also have to be hired for nine days. Saying that “every municipality cannot handle that,” Zabicki said that their clerks association, in conjunction with the county clerks, is getting together and trying to formulate precincts “we’ll have this in.” Zabicki added that they may go by school districts or population and that the township will be working with the City of New Buffalo and Chikaming Township.

Board members approved hiring Kaitlin Poff as seasonal employee for the cleaning and maintenance of the Union Pier trailhead restrooms at a rate of $100 per week.

A quote from Kennedy Industries for a pump lift station rebuild for $20,765 was approved.

Board members approved the 2023 road agreement with the Berrien County Road Department for work on Lakeshore, Glassman and Shedd roads for $253,142.

The resignation of utility department assistant Nick Jackson was accepted.