The Cairn Club
5664 Cairn Highway, Kewadin (parcel 05-12-535-014-31) · Map
Status as of Nov. 1, 2026
Wed., Nov. 4, 2026, 7 p.m. · Public hearing on the zoning change, Milton Township Planning Commission · 7023 Cherry Ave., Kewadin
The hearing was held Nov. 4. We will report the outcome when the minutes are posted.
What would be built
A private nine-hole golf club on a 65-acre farm, with a barn-style clubhouse, open May 1 to Oct. 15. The applicants say membership would top out around 150, with “a small number of daily tee times” for the public. Golf courses aren’t allowed on farm-zoned land in Milton Township now, so the applicants asked the township to change its zoning rules. That change would allow golf courses, under new standards, on all of the township’s Agricultural District land, not just this farm.
Who is behind it
Applicant: Donald Smith, who told the Planning Commission on Sept. 2 that he owns Honch Rest Campground and the Torch Lake Campground. His partners named at that meeting are Gene Davis, the agronomy consultant, and Bruce Hepner. The property owners are Richard and Rhonda Haller, according to the township planner’s memo.
Water and drainage
The plans describe an irrigation pond kept full by a well, and mostly fine-fescue grass, which the applicants say needs “significantly reduced water, fertilizer, and pesticide.” The township planner told the commission the applicants were meeting with the state (EGLE) about drainage.
- About 55 of the 65 acres would be fescue: 45 acres left unmowed and 20 acres of mowed tees and fairways.
- About 3 acres of bent-grass putting greens.
- A gravel parking lot for about 40 cars, with all traffic using one entrance on Cairn Highway.
- The records we read don’t say how the clubhouse’s sewage would be handled.
Applicant’s project overview and FAQ, Milton Township Planning Commission packet, Oct. 6, 2026; Planning Commission minutes, Sept. 2, 2026.
The approvals it needs
- Township
Zoning change to allow golf courses on farm land (ZOA 2026-06)
Public hearing Nov. 4
Requested after a sketch-plan review on Sept. 2, 2026. The change would add golf courses as a permitted use across the Agricultural District, with new standards (Section 117.327). Nov. 4 agenda →
- Township
Site plan review for the golf club itself
Comes after the zoning change
The township planner told the commission that even with the zoning change, the course would still need site plan review. Sept. 2 minutes →
- State (EGLE)
Drainage and any water permits
Not checked yet
The planner said in September that the applicants were meeting with EGLE about drainage.
- County / Health Dept.
Building, soil-erosion, well and septic permits
Not checked yet
The applicants plan rough grading in March–November 2027 and clubhouse construction from October 2027 to July 2028.