Small-Town Charm, Big Northern Michigan Spirit

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF ORDINANCES

BANKS TOWNSHIP

ELLSWORTH, MICHIGAN

TO:      THE RESIDENTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS OF THE BANKS TOWNSHIP, ANTRIM COUNTY, MICHIGAN, AND ANY OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the following is a summary of Ordinances 2 and 3 which were adopted by the Banks Township Board at meetings held July 20 and July 23, 2026.

ORD. 2–ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT TO REFLECT

TWO FAMIY DWELLINGS

SECTION 1   AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE VI. An amendment to Article VI, Section 6.01.2, adding two-family dwellings as a permitted use in the (A) Agricultural Zoning District.

SECTION 2    AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE VI, Section 6.09 regarding district regulations for two family dwellings

SECTION 3    SEVERABILITY.  The provisions of this Ordinance are severable.

SECTION 4    SAVINGS CLAUSE.     Any ongoing prosecution may continue as provided in the Banks Township Zoning Ordinance. 

 SECTION 5    EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Ordinance shall take effect eight days following publication after adoption

ORD. 3 –ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT REGARDING SET BACK CHANGES

SECTION 1.   AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE VI.   An amendment to Article VI Section 6.09, amending the required front, side, and rear yard setback requirements in the (A) Agricultural, (C/R) Conservation/Recreation, (R-1) Low Density Residential, (M) Manufacturing, and (VM) Village Manufacturing Zoning Districts.

SECTION 2    AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE VI SCHEDULE OF REGULATIONS.  Section 6.09 Schedule of regulations is amended to reflect new setback requirements.

 SECTION 3    SEVERABILITY.  The provisions of this Ordinance are severable.

SECTION 4     SAVINGS CLAUSE.  Any ongoing prosecution may continue as provided in the Banks Township Zoning Ordinance. 

SECTION 5    EFFECTIVE DATE.  This Ordinance shall take effect eight days following publication after adoption.

PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that the full text of Ordinances 2 and 3 are on file in the Office of the Banks Township Clerk at the address set forth below and has also been posted at the Township’s website www.bankstownshipmi.gov for inspection by the general public.

Julie Chellis, Clerk

Banks Township

6520 Center St

Ellsworth MI, 49729

231-588-6126

The Township is considering a temporary data center moratorium while it reviews its zoning regulations. Click here to view: Data Center Moratorium

The completed subsurface investigation report for the Township-owned railbed property behind the Fire Hall is available here: Banks Twp Subsurface Investigation Report 

NOTICE TO ABSENT VOTERS AND VOTER REGISTRATION
Banks Township, Antrim County, Michigan

Registered voters who wish to vote by absent voter ballot in the upcoming election may request an absent voter ballot from the Banks Township Clerk's Office. Applications are available by contacting the Township Clerk or online at Michigan.gov/Vote.

Qualified electors who are not already registered to vote may register:

• By mail, online, or at any Secretary of State branch office through the voter registration deadline established by law.
• In person at the Banks Township Clerk's Office through 8:00 p.m. on Election Day with proof of residency as required by Michigan law.

Absent voter ballots must be returned by the deadlines established under Michigan Election Law. Voters may return their completed ballot by mail, in person to the Township Clerk, or by placing it in an official ballot drop box, if available.

For complete information on voter registration, requesting an absent voter ballot, voting, or returning an absent voter ballot, visit Michigan.gov/Vote or contact the Banks Township Clerk's Office.

NOTICE OF ELECTION

AUGUST 4, 2026 STATE PRIMARY ELECTION

Banks Township, Antrim County, Michigan

TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF BANKS TOWNSHIP:

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that any qualified elector of Banks Township who is not already registered may register to vote at the office of the Township Clerk, the office of the County Clerk, a Secretary of State branch office, or other designated state agency. Registration forms can be obtained at mi.gov/vote and mailed to the Township Clerk. Voters who are already registered may update their registration at www.expressSOS.com.

The last day to register in any manner other than in-person with the local clerk is Monday, July 20, 2026.

After this date, anyone who qualifies as an elector may register to vote in person with proof of residency (MCL 168.497) at the Banks Township clerk’s office, located at 6520 Center Street, Ellsworth, MI 49729 at the following times:

• Regular business hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 8am – 11am
• During Early Voting: July 25 – August 2 from 8am – 4pm
• Saturday, August 1 from 8am – 4pm
• Election Day, Tuesday, August 4^th from 7am – 8pm

Please take notice: the following offices will appear on the ballot for the purpose of nominating candidates of all par­ticipating parties: Governor, United States Senator, Rep­resentative in Congress 1st District, State Senator 37th District, Representative 104th District, Delegates, along with following Partial Term Offices for Prosecuting Attorney, and the following Millage Renewals:

ANTRIM COUNTY PROPOSAL

9-1-1 MILLAGE RENEWAL PROPOSITION

CENTRAL LAKE PUBLIC SCHOOLS PROPOSAL

SINKING FUND MILLAGE PROPOSAL

Full text of the ballot proposals may be obtained at the Banks Township Clerk’s office, 6520 Center Street, Ellsworth, MI 49729. They are available to view on the website, www.bankstownshipmi.gov . A sample ballot may be viewed at mi.gov/vote.

Persons with disabilities needing accommodations should contact the clerk’s office.

Julie Chellis

Banks Township Clerk

2026-2027 Banks Twp Budget

FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY
Proposed Flood Hazard Determinations for Antrim County, Michigan (All Jurisdictions)
The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency has issued a
preliminary Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), and where applicable, Flood Insurance Study (FIS)
report, reflecting proposed flood hazard determinations within Antrim County, Michigan (All
Jurisdictions). These flood hazard determinations may include the addition or modification of Base Flood
Elevations, base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area boundaries or zone designations, or the
regulatory floodway. Technical information or comments are solicited on the proposed flood hazard
determinations shown on the preliminary FIRM and/or FIS report for Antrim County, Michigan (All
Jurisdictions). These flood hazard determinations are the basis for the floodplain management measures
that your community is required to either adopt or show evidence of being already in effect in order to
qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program. However, before
these determinations are effective for floodplain management purposes, you will be provided an
opportunity to appeal the proposed information. For information on the statutory 90-day period provided
for appeals, as well as a complete listing of the communities affected and the locations where copies of
the FIRM are available for review, please visit FEMA’s website at
https://www.floodmaps.fema.gov/fhm/BFE_Status/bfe_main.asp or call the FEMA Mapping and
Insurance exchange (FMIX) toll free at 1-877-FEMA MAP (1-877-336-2627).