News

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.
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.
How to remove restrictive covenants from a deed in Michigan

Published on January 13, 2023
The 2022 Discharge of Prohibited Restrictive Covenants Act allows for the discharge of racist and other discriminatory language from recorded deeds.
Local government has an important role for water quality protection: Part 2

Published on December 21, 2022
State and federal regulations help protect water resources but does not do the whole job. Local government has an important role also – key to retaining important habitat on lake’s and river’s edge.
Local government has an important role for water quality protection: Part 3

Published on December 21, 2022
Local governments have a very important role to play in the protection of surface water, ground water, drinking water and wetlands; often filling the gaps in state and federal regulations.
Getting enclosure right: Creating a comfortable public room

Published on December 2, 2022
Creating public spaces that pedestrians want to occupy and feel comfortable in.
MSU represented at the DC Innovation Lab Director’s Meeting

Published on October 10, 2022
PRCI and the Legume Lab represented MSU at the annual Feed the Future Innovation Lab Directors meeting in Washington D.C.
Accessory dwelling units – Coming to a neighborhood near you?

Published on September 9, 2022
With interest in urban living on the rise, more communities are considering amending local regulations to allow accessory dwelling units in traditional neighborhoods.
Zoning district, tax assessor classifications not the same thing

Published on September 1, 2022
Some improperly use tax assessor classifications as an indicator of zoning district, but they are not the same and one should never base zoning decisions on property tax classifications.
Zoning and condominiums

Published on September 1, 2022
Does the zoning ordinance prohibit condominiums if they are not listed as a use?