• Open Meetings Act

    Published on May 31, 2016
    The Open Meeting act applies to planning commissions, zoning boards, zoning boards of appeals, and virtually all deliberations and voting at those meetings.

  • Michigan Zoning Enabling Act

    Published on May 31, 2016
    The Michigan Zoning Enabling Act is the enabling statute for creation of a zoning ordinance for counties, townships, cities and villages. It took effect July 1, 2006 and replaces the County Zoning Act, Township Zoning Act, and City and Village Zoning Act.

  • Michigan local government: new economy preparation checklist

    Published on May 31, 2016
    A "to do" list for local government, reviewing possible amendments/changes to the Master Plan, zoning ordinance and other local government practices and policies to get starting on preparing for the New Economy in Michigan.

  • At the start of 2013, significant new restrictions were placed on local governmental authority to re

    Published on May 31, 2016
    Guidelines for siting wind energy systems were released in December 2005 by the Michigan Energy Office in the Department of Labor and Economic Growth (DLEG).

  • Limits and parameters on local and state regulation of wireless communication

    Published on May 31, 2016
    At the start of 2013, significant new restrictions were placed on local governmental authority to regulate the expansion and location of wireless service facilities, in addition the restrictions on local regulations already in place.

  • Land Division Act

    Published on May 31, 2016
    The Land Division Act is the Michigan statute for dividing property (exempt divisions, divisions, bonus divisions, re-divisions, subdivisions), establishing local government review and approval of splitting a parcel of land, etc.

  • How to take Minutes For Administrative Decisions

    Published on May 31, 2016
    Taking minutes for the county board, city council or township board is one task. But the job of taking minutes for an administrative body (like a planning commission, zoning board, appeals board) is very different.

  • How to set permit fees

    Published on May 31, 2016
    This bulletin is a discussion of the philosophy of what should be paid by fees and what should be covered by general fund moneys. It also presents work sheets for a municipality to establish zoning, land division and other permit fees.

  • How To Deal With Accumulated Junk Problems

    Published on May 31, 2016
    Trash, or junk left on the landscape is one of the major issues identified by local government officials in northern Michigan. It is also one of the easier problems to solve.

  • #1M, How Governments Make Submissions on a Neighbor's or County's Proposed Plan

    Published on May 31, 2016
    In 2002 Michigan Planning Commissions received a new duty, to review the plans of neighboring governments and their county's plans.