The Eaton County Planning Commission approved a series of conditional‑use permits and changes of condition at its recent meeting, covering landscaping and construction contractor establishments, agricultural nurseries, and several surface‑mine operations across Bellevue, Eaton and surrounding townships.

Staff presented multiple applications with site details, agency comments and compliance findings. Key staff notes included MDOT’s requirement for commercial driveway upgrades and a $15,000 individual performance bond on the Lapointe application (CU122521/CU111531) and EGLE/road‑commission guidance for several mine sites where floodplain, wetlands or haul‑route permits may be required. Staff repeatedly reported that annual inspections had found the active mines to be in general compliance with existing permits and that several applicants had surety bonds filed in amounts required by county ordinance.

Applications approved (motion and unanimous roll calls recorded) included conditional‑use permits or changes of conditions for: the Lapointe landscaping and related change‑of‑conditions (CU122521, CU111531), Pitlak excavation (CU122520/CU122521 series as presented), Harton nursery additions (CU100630), F.G. Chaney Limestone (CU122510), a series of surface‑mine renewals/transfers including Ryan H. Cook and Rob Cook sites (CU122513, CU122514, CU122515) and Shade Town Bridal LLC / Davis Construction (CU122519). Staff confirmed that affected applicants will receive their final CUP documents via email and must return signed copies.

Commissioners and staff repeatedly emphasized that some technical issues raised by neighbors — chiefly drainage and road approach permits — fall under the jurisdiction of the Eaton County Drain Commissioner’s Office or the Eaton County Road Commission rather than the planning commission’s direct purview. Staff said they would relay neighbors’ contact information to the drain commissioner and work to coordinate follow up where helpful.

Where agencies had suggested mitigation, the commission either required or encouraged applicants to satisfy road‑commission approach requirements, obtain required EGLE permits if wetlands or floodplain work is proposed, and install dust‑control measures (water trucks, wheel washers or misters) as appropriate. Several approved mine sites showed surety bonds on file (amounts recorded in staff reports).