The Township of Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan, is hereby divided into zoning districts, as named and described in the following articles. The boundaries of these zoning districts are established as shown on the Township of Buchanan Zoning Map as established in § 300-3.03 of this chapter.
For the purpose of this chapter, the Township of Buchanan, Berrien County, Michigan, shall be divided into the following zoning districts, which shall be known by the names and symbols here shown.
AG Agricultural District
R-1 Low Density (Rural) Residential District
R-2 Medium Density (Suburban) Residential District
R-3 Multiple-Family Residential District
R-4L Lakefront/R-4R Riverfront Residential District
R-5 Manufactured Housing Community District
RE Recreational District
RS Rural Salvage District
MU Municipal District
CS Commercial/Service District
IND Industrial District
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
The boundaries of the Township of Buchanan zoning districts shall be depicted on a map adopted by the Township of Buchanan Board of Trustees. The map shall be entitled "The Zoning Map of the Township of Buchanan" and shall bear the date of the most recent amendment. It shall be the duty of the Township Supervisor and Township Clerk to authenticate such records by placing their official signatures thereon. Such map, with all accompanying explanatory matter, is hereby made a part of this chapter and shall be, as such, a part of this chapter as if the matters and information set forth thereon were all fully described herein.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, erection of buildings and uses of land shall conform to the specific provisions for the zoning districts in which they are located. No land shall be developed, redeveloped, use commenced, expanded or continued within the Township except as specifically, or by necessary implication, as authorized by this chapter. Lawful nonconforming structures and uses existing at the time of passage of this chapter are specifically governed by Article XXV, and generally governed by this chapter.
A. 
Unless otherwise shown, the boundaries of the districts are lot lines, the center lines of streets or alleys, or such lines extended, and the limits of the Township of Buchanan.
B. 
Where a district boundary line, as shown on the Zoning Map, divides a lot which was in a single ownership of record at the time of enactment of this chapter, the use authorized thereon and the other district requirements applying to the most restricted portion of such lot, under this chapter, shall be considered as extending to the entire lot.
C. 
Where due to the scale, lack of detail or illegibility of the Zoning Map of this chapter, there is any uncertainty, contradiction, or conflict as to the intended location of any district boundary lines, said lines shall be interpreted upon written request, or upon its own motion, by the Zoning Board of Appeals, after recommendation by the Planning Commission.
D. 
Where a district boundary line follows a shoreline, such boundary shall be construed to be the shoreline. In the event of a change in the shoreline, the boundary line shall be construed to move with the actual shoreline. Boundaries indicated as approximately following the center line of streams, rivers, canals, lakes or other bodies of water shall be structured to follow such center lines.
E. 
Boundaries indicated as approximately following platted lot lines, property lines, section lines or other lines of a government survey as they exist as of the effective date of this chapter or as applicable amended thereto shall be construed as following such lines.
F. 
In districts along corridors where the depth of the zoning is not dimensionally defined, lines parallel to street without indication of the depth from the street line shall be construed as having a depth of 300 feet from the front lot line.
Land uses are permitted specifically in the various zoning districts of this chapter. Where not specifically permitted, uses are thereby specifically prohibited unless construed to be similar to a use expressly permitted in a zoning district. (See § 300-1.05.) No land contained within any zoning district within the Township of Buchanan shall be used for any purpose other than those uses specifically set forth in the following sections, except as permitted by Article XXV, Nonconforming Uses and Structures.
Permitted uses are recognized as uses of land and buildings in certain districts which are harmonious with other such uses which may lawfully exist within the same district. A permitted use is subject to the general provisions, parking regulations, landscaping, district intent, permit, certificate and site plan requirements found elsewhere in this chapter, but otherwise is considered to be a lawful use not requiring special or extraordinary controls or conditions, unless otherwise indicated herein.
The uses identified as special uses covering each district are recognized as possessing characteristics of such unique and special nature (relative to location, off-site impacts, design, size, public service, utilities needs, and other similar characteristics) as necessitating individual standards and conditions in order to safeguard the general health, safety and welfare of the community. Article XXIV, regarding procedure and requirements for special use permits, shall apply to these uses.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Whenever any street, alley or other public way within the Township shall be vacated, such street, alley or other public way or portion thereof shall automatically be classified in the same zoning district as the property to which it is attached consistent with Act 288 of 1967, the Land Division Act, MCLA § 560.227a, as amended.
In every case where land has not been included within a district on the Zoning Map, such land shall be so designated in the AG Zoning District until officially acted upon and designated by the Township Board as provided for in this chapter.