Resources

Local Government Codes of Conduct: Q&A

Published on March 2, 2021
Participant questions and answers from the webinar Codes of Conduct: Going Beyond the Minimum
Local Government Codes of Conduct: Going Beyond the Minimum

Published on March 2, 2021
Codes of Conduct are useful tools for government boards. They clarify a person's role and expectations for member conduct. This webinar uses the planning commission as an example of how a code of conduct can be valuable and how other bodies can use them.
Incompatible Offices in Planning and Zoning

Published on February 17, 2021
This table is a working draft of incompatible offices with respect to the planning and zoning function of local government. It is based on statutes, Michigan Attorney General opinions, and court decisions, and may be incomplete.
Sample #1O: Joint Planning Commission Agreement/Ordinance

Published on October 26, 2020
This presents a sample Ordinance and agreement (combined as one) for the creation of a joint planning commission in Michigan. There are many different decisions and ways a joint planning commission can be set up.
Select Planning and Zoning Decisions 2020

Published on July 16, 2020
Brief summaries of select Michigan planning and zoning court decisions from May 2019 to April 2020.
Sample zoning for agriculture-like and urban agriculture

Published on May 13, 2020
This Land Use Series publication presents a starting point for what aspects of agriculture can be regulated by local government. A sample zoning ordinance text is provided that accommodates urban agriculture, agriculture in category 4 sites, etc.
Pennsylvania Offers A Curious Case To Explore Alternatives To Early Warning Systems And State Intervention: Can Michigan Keep Its Horses From Wandering Off?

Published on May 5, 2020
The purpose of this report is to apply the Early Warning System (EWS) used by Pennsylvania with Michigan local government financial and socioeconomic data, as a way to assess potential fiscal distress that cities, townships, and counties may experience.
A closer look at legacy costs and local actions in Michigan in the wake of PA 202

Published on January 1, 2020
Legacy costs have imposed challenges on local governments in Michigan. The lack of funding for retirement benefits, including pension and other postemployment benefits (OPEB) such as healthcare, affects the wellbeing of public employees.
Marquette Area Climate and Health Adaptation Guidebook - Volume III: Prioritizing and Implementing Recommendations

Published on September 19, 2019
This volume of the Marquette Area Climate and Health Adaptation Guidebook outlines action steps and further stakeholder engagement options.
Select Planning and Zoning Decisions 2019

Published on June 4, 2019
Brief summaries of select Michigan planning and zoning court decisions from May 2018 to April 2019.