Natural Beauty Roads
Is there a Road in Lapeer County you think has significant native vegetation and is worth pointing out to others? Here is your chance to highlight this road for others to enjoy. Let’s share the beauty that Lapeer County has to offer.
Natural Beauty Roads
Lapeer County is very scenic, with tree-lined county lanes, beautiful winding roads through wooded hills and around lakes, tree-canopied neighborhood streets and more.
In some instances, the vegetation growing along Lapeer County’s roads is unique and significant. In those cases, residents can petition the Lapeer County Road Commission (CRC) to designate the road as a Natural Beauty Road. If enough petition signatures are submitted, and if the road meets all the necessary qualifications, the Lapeer CRC will consider granting the designation.
For information on how to petition the Lapeer CRC to designate a Road as a Natural Beauty Road – Policy Download Pdf
What does this designation mean?
The goal of the Natural Beauty Road Program is to preserve in a natural, essentially undisturbed condition, certain County Local Roads having outstanding or unusual Natural Beauty by virtue of native vegetation and / or natural features within the Road Right of Way.
Please note that the Natural Beauty Road application and approval process does not have a bearing on road maintenance or land development projects adjacent to the roadway.
Maintenance
The Lapeer CRC activities on designated Natural Beauty Roads are limited to normal road maintenance practices that were used before the road was designated.
This means Lapeer CRC will continue to trim trees and brush to provide for unobstructed views at intersections and at traffic control signs. Lapeer CRC will grade the road per the Township’s current grading schedule and may spray salt brine (salt water) on the road to control dust when the local community make provisions. However, Lapeer CRC will not use herbicides to control roadside vegetation.
Permits
Work within the Road Right of Way is still allowed by Utility Companies and Land Owners. Work within the Right of Way will require a Permit Application to be submitted. This application will follow the normal permit submittal process. However, when the proposed Work may significantly effect the native vegetation, within a Natural Beauty Road Right of Way, the Lapeer CRC will notify the local Township. The local Township may elect to hold a hearing before the Work can be performed.
What does this designation NOT mean
The Natural Beauty Road Act does not restrict the activities of frontage property owners. That means it does not restrict additional development on property adjacent to the road.
It does Not prohibit paving of the road, though it does require that a public hearing be conducted before it can be paved.
| Township | Road | Location | Length | Date Established |
| Almont | Sandhill Road | Bordman Road to Hough Road | 1.03 miles | 09/20/2000 |
| Deerfield | Mott Road | Scholtz Road to Fish Lake Road | 1.00 miles | 12/18/1996 |
| Deerfield | Oak Grove Road | Fish Lake Road to westerly dead end | 0.50 mile | 12/17/1986 |
| Metamora | Blood Road | Metamora Road to Brocker Road | 1.64 miles | 08/04/1978 |
| Metamora | Brocker Road / Casey Road | Barber Road to Thornville Road | 1.55 miles | 08/26/1981 |
To visit existing designated Natural Beauty Roads within Lapeer County visit our Interactive Map or Download Pdf
Preserving your Road’s uniqueness
The long-term preservation of the vegetation that caused a Road to be designated as a Natural Beauty Road is, in many instanced, in the hands of the residents who live along the road. This is because the Lapeer CRC does not maintain vegetation along the roads (with the exception of cutting or removing vegetation when vision is obstructed or for the safety of motorists).
Preserving this vegetation is an important part of ensuring the road remains unique. The following suggestions can help to preserve significant vegetation within the Road Right of Way.
Suggestions
Avoid using herbicides
Avoid using herbicides to control vegetation. Hand clearing or selective mowing is recommended.
Avoid planting non-native trees and shrubs near the Right of Way
Trees and shrubs native to this region are preferred if plantings adjacent to the Right of Way are desired. Tree species similar to those that exist along the road are the best choice.
Limit Mowing
The best times to mow are early spring before wildflowers have sprouted and late fall after a killing frost. Early spring mowing will discourage the spread of woody plants and shrubs and fall mowing will reduce competition for light and nutrients and spread the seeds of mature plants.
Avoid planters
Encourage the growth of native wildflowers found growing in the Right of Way
Landscaping
Landscaping should take advantage of the natural beauty of the area. Formal landscape plans should be avoided for the areas near the roadway.
Do not dispose of debris in Right of Way
Do not dispose of debris such as leaves and grass cuttings in the Right of Way. Such practices are unsightly and may destroy plant habitat that supports rare or uncommon plants that grow in the Road Right of Way.