Special meeting on noise ordinance draws crowd in Casco Township

The Casco Township Board of Trustees held a special meeting on Monday June 9, 2025. Originally set to address a request by Daydreamer Domes for an outdoor gathering permit and a variance to the noise ordinance, that permit and variance request was withdrawn by Daydreamer Domes and the agenda focused on a discussion of the current Casco Township Noise Ordinance. Approximately 60 people were in attendance, including media personnel from WoodTV News Channel 8.

Fifty minutes of public comment opened the meeting. Steve Earls, 7207 Center St, spoke first. Through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, Earls discovered that the Daydreamer Domes' written request for a special use permit for the glamping campground specifically stated that owner Missy Fojtik was "not planning on having music."

He went on to say a pending new Class C Resort Liquor License for Daydreamer Domes seeks approval for alcohol sales on Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon, a new outdoor service area, and an additional bar.

He expressed frustration with 8-12 hours of music per day.

Wendy Muehlfeld of 439 Blue Star Hwy recited incidents beginning Thursday June 5 through Sunday June 8 where music, complete with base frequencies and vibrations felt inside her home, produced adverse side effects including a migraine headache. She described vibracoustic noise as a stressor and described past ways of seeking to ameliorate the loud music, including calling 9-1-1. She urged the Township to enforce its own Master Plan which seeks to uphold rural traits including quietness, privacy, and stable property values.

Rich Nugent, a resident of Windcliff Drive, stated that this was his first time to attend a Township meeting. He wondered what activities are permitted at the resort and wondered why the noise ordinance is not being enforced. He stated that a violation of the noise ordinance is a criminal misdemeanor, saying to the Board: "please do your job."

Marci Hayes of Mount Pleasant questioned if this is about noise, she wondered why there were no complaints about leaf blowers, parties, and weddings along Blue Star Highway. Believing Daydreamer Domes is trying to follow the ordinance, Hayes asked how many times she [owner Fojtik] has been in violation of the ordinance. She felt the complaints didn't make sense.

Patty Nowlin, owner (with husband Bruce Nowlin) of Martha's Vineyard Bed and Breakfast, stated she heard music from the Domes on her B&B patio on the recent past Friday and Sunday evenings. She said as a business owner she provides a haven for guests--peace and quiet. She also urged the board to uphold the master plan values including Casco's rural identity, distinct from a city environment.

Brian Murphy, 7277 Maple St, thanked the Board for their leadership and service. As a resident of Sunset Shore, he stated the subdivision does not allow short term rentals. People who live there seek a quiet and peaceful neighborhood, but with music emanating from the Domes property, "neighbors can't sit in backyards" and "can't enjoy their own space." He volunteered to use his 30 years of government experience to help with the ordinance issue and asked the Board to cancel any music events until the noise can be properly addressed.

Ida Hartmann of Beverly Drive agreed with comments made about noise. She said she had called 9-1-1 twice on Friday night due to music heard within her home even with doors and windows closed. She urged the Board to put an end to the noise.

Gina Johnston Small of 72nd St says she used to live near Gingerman Raceway and now lives near the highway and the Domes are to her west. She supports Daydreamer Domes as a campground and opined that the music is part of "the whole purpose of the property." Johnston Small said that sound carries differently and believes the owner is doing the best she can.

Lisa Tuohy of 7266 Elm St said that she has stayed at The Fields and visited The Woods (other glamping sites nearby). She felt that domes for camping on Blue Star Highway are fine for a campground but too residential to host a ticketed event for hundreds of people from elsewhere to attend. She can hear concerts and DJ'd music for 6-8 hours on her back deck located 1/2 mile from the Domes. She said this is sound a person doesn't get used to.

Mark Muehlfeld, 439 Blue Star Highway, said when he moved here within the past few years he wasn't concerned about living close to a glamping venue. He sought easy access to nature. He said 4 of the last 9 days have included music events from the Domes, what he called "rave parties," where "we had to raise our voices on the back deck." When contacting owner Fojtik about the noise, Fojtik offered to inform him in advance of music events "so we could leave our home." Muehlfeld said the permit was for camping, and "camping fits; music parties with decibels don't."

He cited commercial uses listed in the Master Plan focused on service development and convenience needs of the community. He claimed intensive uses serving the broad traveler, including attendees not from Casco, are a break from the rural ambience the master plan seeks to preserve.

Chris Barczyk, 560 Blue Star Highway, said the Township put venues for weddings in the Ag district where there was more room and distance from neighbors. If glamping at Daydreamer Domes expands northward, Barczyk hoped they would keep the noise minimal.

An employee of Daydreamer Domes named Mike who lives on Edgell Street in South Haven compared the music sounds at the Domes to concerts at Blueberry Fest and racing sounds from Gingerman Raceway. He felt these sounds were directional, unobtrusive, and to be expected.

Danielle, one of two managers at Daydreamer Domes present at the meeting, said she heard the comments and understands them. She acknowledged that change is hard and hoped to have open dialogue. Danielle stated that the resort is fully committed to following ordinances.

She explained that they track the sound and use directional sound technology. They are holding 18 events with music out of 365 days in a year. Their goal is to create meaningful experiences for their guests. They monitor decibel levels at the property line.

A person who did not identify herself spoke about sound traveling 8x faster in water. The clay soils in Casco amplify the sound vibrations, increasing stress levels and migraines, she said. "We feel deceived," she said. "We thought we were getting glamping."

A resident with the first name of Robin spoke, assuring the staff of Daydreamer Domes that "People want you to succeed. Does louder music equal more money?" She said she lives a 1/2 mile away and heard a musician playing a keyboard and singing at 7pm on Friday. She wondered if speakers could be turned toward the highway. Robin felt things changed when Daydreamer Domes moved in; "that's not what we thought would be happening."

Kat Hoffman, the other manager of Daydreamer Domes, explained that she was speaking on the owner's behalf as Fojtik could not attend due to a family graduation event. Hoffman stated that staff go to lot lines and measure decibels. The outdoor gathering proposed for July 12 has been cancelled. As a self described mid-thirtysomething, she felt the events at Daydreamer Domes are "cool, fun things" for all ages, with people age 25-70 at events.

Teresa Getman, 7368 Pinnacle Drive, spoke with appreciation for all of the comments shared. She and her late husband Dana sold the property to Missy Fojtik. Getman said she has been "out of the loop the last year and a half." She affirmed that nobody wants to put Daydreamer Domes out of business, and that she personally doesn't hear the music at her home. Getman believes that "Missy seemed to care" and wondered aloud "how we can work together." If the sound is traveling, "Missy would care to know that." Getman urged the Township to revisit the issue, saying, "you're hearing the people."

Chelsea Morning, of Sunset Shores and Miami Park, said she was thirty years old and found the noise very disturbing. When drawing it to the attention of the Domes, she received an unprofessional response.

Steve Earls spoke a second time, asking if the Board took the position that decibel meters don't tell the truth. He presented a research article he wished to submit as evidence to the board about how to approach the subject. He stated that Section 4 of the Casco Township Noise Ordinance says "it shall be unlawful" to generate any loud noise that disturbs the peace of others. He reported on a conversation held with Allegan County Sheriff Frank Baker, who leaves the use of decibel meters up to the township.

Following the lengthy public comment section, Supervisor Allan Overhiser clarified some matters. He said the Township does not direct the Deputy to issue citations (or not). The focus is on the current Casco Township Noise Ordinance, which is based on an objective standard for noise--the measurement of decibels, and "we're hearing it's not working," Overhiser acknowledged.

The Casco Township attorney has provided the Board with other noise ordinances. The attorney also expressed, in communication with the Board, "I would not want to bring action against someone who is lower than the decibel level." Overhiser acknowledged that it is the low bass level that is annoying people.

Trustee Mary Campbell asked, if the glamping site is morphing to a new model such as a party center, when will that be addressed? Overhiser responded that because this was a special meeting with a stated and narrow agenda, it was not up for discussion at this meeting but could be addressed at a regular Board meeting.

Treasurer Kenny Clevenger thanked the public for attending and speaking. He appreciated the engagement and said he was a big advocate for freedom and for being left alone. He felt the collective can take away individual rights, yet he also understood that citizens are bothered by the loud music.

He liked the objective measurement present in the current ordinance, acknowledging that without a decibel level, who would make the call about whether or not to issue a citation? He felt leaving it up to the discretion of an officer left the Township and residents with no clear standard. He favored technology that could be relied on, pricing such decibel meters at $3,000-$4,000. Quality technology would protect everyone's rights.

Overhiser spoke to time limits, with noise needing to cease by 10 pm or 11 pm.

Campbell said some cities have deadlines for noise that are far earlier: 4:30 or 5:00 pm.

Overhiser stated that the low frequencies must be addressed if the ordinance would continue to be framed by decibel measurement.

Campbell expressed concern about the severe health effects from constant bass and acknowledged that it is difficult and expensive to mitigate.

Trustee Dan Fleming said if the sound is a problem in peoples' houses, it is not acceptable.

In discussion, bass from Gridlife at Gingerman raceway was heard and felt at Overhiser's home this past weekend. Campbell said twice a year at Gingerman is different from every weekend all summer long.

Clevenger suggested establishing a committee perhaps made up of people from the community and some board members to work on the noise ordinance. A motion was made, supported and carried to establish such a committee to research the issues and make a recommendation to the Board. Several people volunteered to participate.

In summary of the matter, Supervisor Overhiser acknowledged stakeholders on all levels of this issue, and said what the public stated and felt is genuine. He looks forward to having law enforcement also involved in the committee and learning more.

A second agenda item, a legal matter pertaining to the vacation of roads in Baron's Lakeside Subdivision, a platted subdivision, was also addressed and approved by resolution without extensive discussion and with no objections.

In a final opportunity for public comment, Bob Sherwood, of Cedar Bluff, urged the newly established committee to be given a "no later than" date to establish a deadline for the report.

Kat Hoffman said their next Daydreamer Domes event is 12 hours long featuring yoga and meditation, and does not go past 10 pm.

It was announced that the next meeting of the Board is a regular meeting on Monday June 16 at 7:00 pm, again held at the Casco Township Hall, 7104 107th Avenue.

WoodTV8 carried a story on the meeting focused on the Casco Township Noise Ordinance