A frustrated public gets schooled in process regarding DayDreamer Domes

DayDreamer Domes is a glamping campsite located at 397 Blue Star Hwy in Casco Township

Since May, a significant group of residents have attended Casco Township Board, Planning Commission, and Noise Committee meetings. Members of the public, many of whom are residents leaving near to and within earshot of DayDreamer Domes & Dine (397 Blue Star Hwy), have expressed frustration with what is perceived to be the Township's lack of response to noise and zoning violations occurring at DayDreamer Domes.

In sum, the noise has emanated from parties around the pool, including amplified music with thumping bass that can be heard and felt within nearby homes. The alleged zoning violations named by the public refer to ticketed events convened at the Domes that are advertised to the general public and seem to have little, if anything, to do with camping in the on-site domes.

Noise is addressed through the Township Noise Ordinance, and ordinances are the purview of the Township Board of Trustees. The events are addressed through zoning, as the campground operates under a special use permit granted by the Planning Commission.

Daydreamer Domes was granted a special use permit by the Casco Township Planning Commission to operate a campground in 2021. The permit was amplified by the Planning Commission in early 2025 to include a restaurant as an ancillary use, as Fojtik was pursuing a broader liquor license to expand on the license she currently holds.

It is important to note that in 2023, Casco Township amended its Zoning Ordinance, including the section that refers to the operation of campgrounds, and added a phrase referring to "ancillary uses." This change was spurred by The Fields, another glamping campground located within Casco Township. The text for the amendment(s) were generated by the Planning Commission, whose task it is to review and update Township zoning, but ultimately approved by the Board, because the Board approves ordinances.

Compounding the amendment issue, it is unclear if the version of the Casco Township Zoning Ordinance currently accessible online is, in fact, the most current version (from 2023). What is viewable online is the following (From Chapter 15):

5.

No commercial use shall be permitted to operate on the project, except that a convenience shopping facility may be provided within a campground containing 5—59 sites the store floor area not to exceed 1,000 square feet. Project containing 60 and over sites the store floor area not to exceed 2,500 square feet. Excluding laundry and similar ancillary uses.

Missy Fojtik initially applied for an Outdoor Gathering Permit for the events she sought to host at Daydreamer Domes this summer, then withdrew that request. The Township Board manages requests pertaining to the Outdoor Gathering Ordinance, because the Township Board oversees ordinances.

The Domes outdoor gathering permit request raised an additional question for the Township Board, which is whether the Outdoor Gathering Ordinance even applies to a commercial entity. Because the request was withdrawn, application of the Outdoor Gathering Ordinance to Daydreamer Domes is a moot point. Supervisor Overhiser, at the July Board meeting, suggested that the Board review the Outdoor Gathering Ordinance. His view, and Trustee Dan Fleming concurred, is that the ordinance is to grant permission for occasional large gatherings such as weddings, graduation parties, and quinceaneras--non commercial, one-time events.

Noise is being addressed by a community-based Noise Committee formed to update the Casco Township Noise Ordinance. The Noise Ordinance was found to be inadequate and in need of updating because it was based on decibel measurement. Decibel measurement is difficult to attain due to the lack of calibrated meters held by law enforcement, and electronic bass sounds and vibrations are not captured by decibel measurement. The Noise committee has instead embraced in great part the Lee Township Noise Ordinance, which defines noise as something that can be heard 50' beyond a property line during the day, or 25' beyond a property line at night.

The Noise committee has met twice and a draft updated ordinance may be presented for Township Board approval as soon as its September 15 monthly board meeting.

The public asked what can be done about noise at DayDreamer Domes in the meantime. Supervisor Overhiser said complaints about noise can be directed to the police. Noise complaints sent in writing to the Township are also recorded as correspondence.

Continuous and ongoing noise violations will be addressed within the proposed new noise ordinance, but the exact penalties need clarification from the Township attorney. Overhiser thought the noise problems at the Domes had decreased, and he said at the August board meeting, "the promoters are gone."

The Planning Commission sought to handle the DayDreamer Domes complaints during its July meeting when it voted to deny DayDreamer Domes permission to hold ticketed music events. This action was to address noise in a residential zone, frequency of the events, and the nature of the events which were open to the general public, above and beyond overnight campers. This is because the special use permit to operate a campground was issued by the Planning Commission and is under their control.

At the August Township Board meeting on August 18, several public members spoke about ongoing online promotion of events at the Domes, despite the Planning Commission's prohibition dated July 16.

Steve Earls, 7207 Center St, cited a total lack of compliance by DayDreamer Domes: "None whatsoever; [she] is building a rave scene. This is going to turn Casco Township into something nobody wants." He urged the Township to end the music and the outdoor events.

Patty Nowlin, of 473 Blue Star Hwy, said, "She's been allowed to carry on."

Lisa Tuohy, 7268 Elm St, also expressed concern that "there are still events happening. She has total disregard for the Board and Planning Commission."

Rich Nugent of 7145 Windcliff Drive said, "She is not allowed to have a ticketed event, but she is doing that. Do we have to wait until there's a problem?"

To this chorus of complaints, Trustee Dan Fleming, who is the Board representative to the Planning Commission said, "Our enforcement is in revoking the special use permit. We have to wait until there is a violation." Here, the "our" and "we" language Fleming is using refers to the Planning Commission, not the Board of Trustees.

Overhiser said, "She [Missy Fojtik] has the right to due process."

An unidentified voice from the public said, "You are reactive, not proactive."

Supervisor Overhiser outlined the actions the Board has taken since the complaints began.

Letters from the Zoning Administrator, issued in consultation with the Casco Township Attorney, have been issued to Missy Fojtik regarding the noise and the decision by the Planning Commission regarding no ticketed music events. She has been further notified that the Planning Commission has the ability to revoke the issued special use permit to operate a campground.

Overhiser acknowledged that correspondence sent to the Township with evidence that DayDreamer Domes continues to advertise ticketed events with music have been received.

The Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on September 17 at 6:00 pm. The public hearing process is specific to a special use permit request or review. The Planning Commission meeting will open the floor to the public to comment on the matter(s) at hand, the agenda of which will be published at least 18 hours prior to the scheduled hearing (and potentially as early as the first week of September). The public hearing is likely to be focused on any ancillary uses requested by Fojtik (assuming she submits some), and whether or not the special use permit for DayDreamer Domes should be revoked by the Planning Commission.

Some members of the public were unhappy about the September date. "Why do you have to wait until September 17 to have a meeting?" an unidentified person asked. "This woman is defying everybody. I don't care how many cars there are in the parking lot. I'm sick of it."

Treasurer Kenny Clevenger asked Overhiser if the Township is doing everything it can; Clevenger proposed having a closed session with the Attorney.

Trustee Mary Campbell said, "We are already dealing with violations."

In discussion, there was no evidence to suggest that the Township Board can legally have a closed meeting with the Township Attorney to discuss Daydreamer Domes; this would likely be a violation of the open meetings act.

Moreover, the Planning Commission, not the Township Board, holds the authority to revoke the special use permit, as they were the authority to grant it initially.

Allegan County Commissioner Brad Lubbers, who was present for the August 18 Board meeting, commended the Board during final public comment. "The steps your board is taking more than other communities," he said.

Julie Cowie, of 7376 101st Ave, asked that all legal correspondence sent by the Township to Fotjik be shared with all Planning Commission members in a timely fashion.

It was noted that the Planning Commission is not required to take any action on the evening of September 17, the date of the public hearing.

The Casco Township Board of Trustees holds its regular monthly meeting on Monday September 15, 2025 at 7:00 pm.

The Casco Township Planning Commission holds its regular monthly meeting, which will include a Public Hearing regarding DayDreamer Domes, on Wednesday September 17, 2025 at 6:00 pm. Public meetings are held at the Casco Township Hall, 7104 107th Avenue.