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All rezonings are not good rezonings
Published on February 7, 2012
Local officials should always review rezoning applications closely to ensure they are consistent with a community’s master plan. -
Zoning approvals should be prompt
Published on October 24, 2016
A zoning decision should be prompt and without any undue delay. Incorporating deadlines for decisions into a zoning ordinance, or office policy, is a best practice. -
Code of conduct for your planning commission or zoning board of appeals
Published on December 31, 2013
Adopting a code of conduct provides guidance and expectations for appointed officials in their respective roles as public officials. -
Common problems we observe in local zoning: Part 1
Published on October 22, 2015
MSU Extension land use specialists are often reading zoning from many different communities. Doing so shows us that many communities have items completely or partially missing from their zoning that a community might consider adding to its zoning. -
Administration of zoning seldom results in property takings but claims are more frequent, Part 1
Published on December 19, 2013
Property takings are always something government regulators should be concerned about. Understanding the different types of takings can clarify the topic. -
Zoning decisions travel with the land and are not temporary
Published on February 26, 2013
Zoning administrative decisions are permanent, not temporary. Zoning decisions are specific for the parcel of land and not to an individual person who sought the zoning permit/approval. -
With higher Great Lakes, review zoning for coastal resiliency: Part 1
Published on November 21, 2014
Coastal hazards affecting public and private property change as weather, seasons, and climate change. With such a dynamic system, zoning regulations along the Great Lakes may need to be amended in order to protect property and Great Lakes access. -
Charlevoix County communities talk about shoreline zoning
Published on June 21, 2012
Charlevoix County communities are working together to coordinate their shoreline zoning ordinances. Consistent regulation protects water resources and reduces business uncertainty. -
Codes of conduct now more common for planning commissions, zoning boards of appeals
Published on February 28, 2013
Members of administrative boards often sign a code of conduct. They perform an administrative, not a representative, function and speak publically to support the majority position adopted by that board. -
Planning commission is much more than zoning
Published on March 20, 2012
Planning commissions have a large job that includes coordination, intergovernmental cooperation, master plan, zoning administration, infrastructure, land division, subdivision reviews and capital improvement planning all contribute to a master plan. -
Planning commissions and zoning board of appeals required to have three year staggered terms
Published on December 19, 2016
Michigan statute requires three-year staggered terms of office. But many communities have gotten off that pattern. It is a problem that needs correcting. -
Caution: Zoning moratorium ahead
Published on April 8, 2020
Michigan local governments should proceed carefully when considering temporarily suspending property owners’ rights to develop or build until adequate regulations can be developed and adopted. -
New Trail Policy and Law course gives students a toolkit to advocate in their own communities
Published on September 8, 2021
Community Sustainability class led by Bob Wilson provides a ‘how-to’ and empowers students to be leaders in outdoor recreation development. -
Streamlining the zoning ordinance: Part 1
Published on September 22, 2014
Zoning can be confusing and hard to understand. There are several zoning streamlining techniques to make zoning easier to understand and use. -
New Planning Commissioner Training series launched in partnership with Planetizen Courses
Published on June 28, 2021
Virtual training series provides citizen planners with the tools and resources to effectively work alongside professional planners on behalf of their communities. -
New guidebook suggests planning and zoning essentials to protecting water quality
Published on April 27, 2013
Inclusion of six essential elements in master plans and zoning ordinances can help protect Michigan’s water quality. New water quality protection guidebook can help rural communities understand and include those provisions in their plans and regulations. -
In disputes over zoning authority, follow the legislative intent test
Published on February 20, 2014
Absent an overarching statute exempting state owned land and buildings from zoning regulations, Michigan courts follow a test to determine legislative intent. In short, if there is no sign of legislative intent, local zoning prevails. -
Euclidian zoning codes can be adapted to improve development opportunities
Published on January 24, 2013
Traditional zoning codes separate land uses into a variety of use categories. However, such codes can be modified to encourage and attract more creative development patterns. -
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. -
There are multiple ways to style a zoning ordinance
Published on July 21, 2014
Zoning can be written, or prepared, several different ways. Most common is to think of zoning as traditional, conventional, performance-based, form-based or a mix of each of these.