MSU Extension Community

News

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  Right to Farm Act can preempt local regulation authority, but not all local regulations

  Published on April 11, 2023
  Many statutes and laws result in limiting local government’s ability to adopt and enforce regulations. Most are straightforward, but the Right to Farm Act preemption is confusing, changing and only preempts local regulation of certain things.

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  When to call an attorney for planning and zoning issues

  Published on April 6, 2023
  Land use decision making is not always a do it yourself proposition for local officials; there are times when you really should hire a lawyer.

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  No state oversight of planning, zoning; limited central database of zoning ordinances

  Published on April 4, 2023
  While there is no state oversight of planning and zoning, there is a statewide database of zoning ordinances in Michigan.

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  National Institute of Food and Agriculture awards MSU Center for Regional Food Systems $3.45 million to Expand Culturally Relevant Support for Farm and Food Business owners

  Published on March 30, 2023
  Over the next five years, MSU CRFS will work with MSU Extension, Michigan Food and Farming Systems (MIFFS), and the Julian Samora Institute to develop resources for inclusive farm business engagement.

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  Administrative decisions require careful application to ordinance standards: Part 1

  Published on March 21, 2023
  Base decisions only on explicit standards in the ordinance to avoid a challenge of being unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious.

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  Administrative decisions require careful application to ordinance standards: Part 2

  Published on March 21, 2023
  Base decisions only on explicit standards in the ordinance to avoid a challenge of being unreasonable, arbitrary or capricious.

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  The importance of your Zoning Board of Appeals

  Published on March 17, 2023
  Maintaining a properly organized and functioning Zoning Board of Appeals is critical to ensure the integrity of the board’s decisions and to avoid potentially serious and costly legal issues.

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  Critical training for Zoning Board of Appeals members

  Published on March 17, 2023
  Acting properly, a community's Zoning Board of Appeals protects the interests of all parties and upholds due process, but when poorly trained, the board can be a serious legal risk to the community.

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  Ten things to remember about composting during the winter

  Published on March 6, 2023
  Healthy organisms in a balanced compost will be active, hot, and produce steam even in the winter.

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  How to manage e-waste

  Published on February 22, 2023
  Precious metals like copper, gold, platinum, silver, and nickel are found in everyday electronics, making it crucial to properly dispose of this “e-waste.”