2021/11/10 - LAND USE - CUP - Conditional Use Permit - CUP-21-28

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Application to expand explained. The Wilderness Fellowship Ministries next year will celebrate 50 years of serving this community. We are seeking to expand our Prayer Cabin Village ministry. These are small (under 400 sq ft) cabins designed for 1 or 2 people (exception - a new born) to come for a quiet time of refreshment and renewal to strengthen relationships with Jesus, their marriage, honey moon, Father/son or Mother/daughter retreats etc,. The cabins are deluxe in decor and feel, causing many of our guests to say upon entering, "I don't want to leave". We encourage a stay of 1-3 nights but on rare occasion guests have requested slightly longer stays. We currently have 7 prayer cabins completed, #8 is under construction and #9 has already been funded. We do not borrow money to build these cabins but wait on the Lord for His provision as the "green light"for the next build. It is our vision to expand the "Prayer Cabin Village" ministry to a total of up to 20 cabins carefully placed and tucked into the woods without disturbing the beauty and majesty of the natural thick maple woods. The cabins are built on posts, have two forms of heat for winter, cooling for summer, have no running water so no bathrooms in the cabins, so we will be building 5 heated outhouses to meet bathroom needs, sinking another well and installing another septic system for another centrally located, year-round shower house to serve this expansion. The road to serve this expansion is in place. Again, as our Ministry Policy dictates, we do not borrow money, nor do we charge for the use of these facilities. So, we only build when the donations are enough to build the next cabin. Therefore, I am presenting a plan for expansion that could possibly range over the next 15 years or more so I am seeking a conditional use permit that would encompass the full range of this project. I have made presentation to our Township Board and since this expansion fits within the Comprehensive long- range plans for tourism and good positive impact in our township, and, the Board recognizes the ever increasing need for a place of refuge, peace, restoration and hope for families, individuals and couples, we have received their full support of our plans for this expansion. I am therefore requesting approval of this long range CUP. Thank you for your consideration.