PORTAGE TOWNSHIP — Portage Township clarified several points about the process being sought in connection to the possible change of language in its zoning ordinance regarding seaplanes in reference to an earlier Gazette article on the issue.

The township has submitted a request to the county planning commission to review the township planning commission’s recommendation to add seaplanes as a permitted use in zoning district B-2. This step is required by the township zoning ordinance.

The county may elect to comment on the perceived positives and negatives of potentially siting the Isle Royale Seaplane business at the former Onagaming site in the future, or the county may decline comment, the township said. The county planning commission’s views do not bind the township to a decision. However, the township’s procedure requires it to seek their input, since the potential benefits and negatives of a seaplane business will impact more than just township residents.

A uniform clause added to the township’s zoning ordinance states allowable uses can include “any other business or establishment determined by the Planning Commission to be of the same general character as the preceding permitted uses.”

The Township Planning Commission will then transmit its recommendation and any input from the county to the township board who will schedule a well posted public hearing to consider whether or not to accept the recommendation to include seaplanes as a permitted use in B-2 districts with or without changes.

There are no pending requests for rezoning, the township said. While the agenda for the December Planning Commission meeting referenced Jon Julien in connection to the Onigaming Yacht Club, Julien did not attend or speak at the meeting, the township said.