By Bruce Rolfe
The Climax Township board unanimously approved fencing and screening ordinance language recommended by the Planning Commission at the regular township board meeting April 14.
Climax Township Board Trustee Cheryl Bates, the liaison township board member serving on the Planning Commission, said the language is standard and comparable to other local townships.
The fencing ordinance establishes the maximum height for fencing in the front yard at four feet and side and rear yards at six feet.
Fencing within the front yard is limited to chain link, wood, or commercially available fencing material in order to maintain visibility for vehicular or pedestrian movement. Opaque fencing may be used within the side and rear yards provided it is composed of commercially available fencing material.
All fences are required to have a zoning permit issued by the Township to determine compliance with the ordinance prior to placement of the fence. Application for a zoning permit must be accompanied by an attestation that the fence will be located entirely on the applicant’s property.
All fences must be maintained in a good condition similar to their condition at the time of original construction. All deteriorated or missing sections shall be replaced.
The definition for a fence was added to the Fencing and Screening language.
Under the screening portion of the ordinance, except where noted otherwise, all commercial or industrial uses shall be screened from an adjoining use located in any residential district by either a wall, fence or landscaping (or combination) to achieve an opaque screen of at least six feet in height. The Planning Commission may waive or reduce the requirement or specify the type of screening to be utilized during site plan review.
New Agreement with Wakeshma Township Starts Well for Climax Township Fire Department
Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said a new agreement between Climax Township and Wakeshma Township for the Climax Township Fire Department to provide fire and medical first responder services in Wakeshma Township that began April 1, got off to a good start.
Smith said as of April 14, the local fire department has responded to four calls so far in Wakeshma Township with no problems.
Overall, the Climax Township Fire Department has responded to 66 calls in the first quarter and 20 calls in March. As of April 14, the local fire department has responded to 12 calls in April.
The Township Board unanimously approved removing T.J. Poole from probationary status to firefighter status effective April 1, 2026.
In other business reviewed at the April 14 meeting:
• Climax Township Supervisor Trent Piper said three supervisors in townships that are a part of the Parker Drain, including Climax Township, have signed a letter of support for Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner Jason Wiersma to apply for the 2026 Congressional Directed Spending Grant to help maintain the Parker Drain and mitigate flooding.
• The Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department responded to 23 citizen initiated calls in Climax Township in the month of March and five officer initiated calls.
• There was general consensus by the Township Board to allow The Run To Climax Committee to use Township roads for a 5K race Memorial Day. The event will begin at 8 a.m. and runners and will be done by 9 a.m. If not, runners need to move out of the traffic’s way and continue at their own risk.
• The 4th Annual Fort Custer “Defender” 5K event will take place Saturday May 2 at the Fort Custer Education Center. Registration is 7 a.m. with the run starting at 9 a.m. Entry fee is $35.
The Climax Township board unanimously approved fencing and screening ordinance language recommended by the Planning Commission at the regular township board meeting April 14.
Climax Township Board Trustee Cheryl Bates, the liaison township board member serving on the Planning Commission, said the language is standard and comparable to other local townships.
The fencing ordinance establishes the maximum height for fencing in the front yard at four feet and side and rear yards at six feet.
Fencing within the front yard is limited to chain link, wood, or commercially available fencing material in order to maintain visibility for vehicular or pedestrian movement. Opaque fencing may be used within the side and rear yards provided it is composed of commercially available fencing material.
All fences are required to have a zoning permit issued by the Township to determine compliance with the ordinance prior to placement of the fence. Application for a zoning permit must be accompanied by an attestation that the fence will be located entirely on the applicant’s property.
All fences must be maintained in a good condition similar to their condition at the time of original construction. All deteriorated or missing sections shall be replaced.
The definition for a fence was added to the Fencing and Screening language.
Under the screening portion of the ordinance, except where noted otherwise, all commercial or industrial uses shall be screened from an adjoining use located in any residential district by either a wall, fence or landscaping (or combination) to achieve an opaque screen of at least six feet in height. The Planning Commission may waive or reduce the requirement or specify the type of screening to be utilized during site plan review.
New Agreement with Wakeshma Township Starts Well for Climax Township Fire Department
Climax Township Fire Chief Scott Smith said a new agreement between Climax Township and Wakeshma Township for the Climax Township Fire Department to provide fire and medical first responder services in Wakeshma Township that began April 1, got off to a good start.
Smith said as of April 14, the local fire department has responded to four calls so far in Wakeshma Township with no problems.
Overall, the Climax Township Fire Department has responded to 66 calls in the first quarter and 20 calls in March. As of April 14, the local fire department has responded to 12 calls in April.
The Township Board unanimously approved removing T.J. Poole from probationary status to firefighter status effective April 1, 2026.
In other business reviewed at the April 14 meeting:
• Climax Township Supervisor Trent Piper said three supervisors in townships that are a part of the Parker Drain, including Climax Township, have signed a letter of support for Kalamazoo County Drain Commissioner Jason Wiersma to apply for the 2026 Congressional Directed Spending Grant to help maintain the Parker Drain and mitigate flooding.
• The Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department responded to 23 citizen initiated calls in Climax Township in the month of March and five officer initiated calls.
• There was general consensus by the Township Board to allow The Run To Climax Committee to use Township roads for a 5K race Memorial Day. The event will begin at 8 a.m. and runners and will be done by 9 a.m. If not, runners need to move out of the traffic’s way and continue at their own risk.
• The 4th Annual Fort Custer “Defender” 5K event will take place Saturday May 2 at the Fort Custer Education Center. Registration is 7 a.m. with the run starting at 9 a.m. Entry fee is $35.
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