Citizen Education

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Planning and Zoning Primer presentation

This presentation is a very basic introduction to planning and zoning in Michigan. It is a non-technical (not designed for members of a planning commission, appeals board) review of the topic. This is a good introduction for citizen groups or other organizations that wish to understand planning and zoning better. This program might be considered part I, with part II being "Influencing Zoning Decisions" (below).

This program covers:

  1. Why Plan
  2. Planning
  3. Implement the plan
  4. Coordination
  5. Zoning
  6. Training, Keeping up-to-date

Planning and Zoning Primer presentation*

*If you are interested in receiving the PowerPoint presentation file of these documents, please send an email to cplanner@msu.edu. 

How to Influence Zoning Decisions presentation

This presentation targets two potential audiences: 

  1. A County with county-level zoning that wishes to include local governments in their zoning deliberations. (For example, some county zoning requires notices for special use permits, amendments, and appeals to be sent to the respective municipality and nearby municipalities as well as affected public utilities. Also, comments received from these parties are given "extra deference" at the public hearing.)
  2. Neighborhood organizations, lake associations, citizen groups wishing to be more effective in influencing local zoning decisions, whether at a township, village, city, or county level.

The presentation is to help people make comments at zoning hearings that are on point and actually address the issues that the local officials have to consider. 

How to Influence Zoning Decisions presentation*

*If you are interested in receiving the PowerPoint presentation file of these documents, please send an email to cplanner@msu.edu. 

How to Participate in the Zoning Process for Special Use Permits

This resource is intended to help the average resident understand and respond to a local government public hearing notice for a proposed special use permit. It briefly outlines how to be most effective when submitting written comments or making public comment for or against a proposed special use permit.

How to Participate in the Zoning Process for Special Use Permits

How to Participate in the Zoning Process for Appeals & Variances

This resource is intended to help the average resident understand and respond to a local government public hearing notice for a proposed zoning appeal/variance. It briefly outlines how to be most effective when submitting written comments or making public comment for or against a proposed zoning appeal/variance.

How to Participate in the Zoning Process for Appeals & Variances

How to Participate in the Zoning Process for Zoning Amendments (including legislative PUD)

This resource is intended to help the average resident understand and respond to a local government public hearing notice for a proposed zoning amendment. It briefly outlines how to be most effective when submitting written comments or making public comment for or against a proposed zoning amendment.

How to Participate in the Zoning Process for Zoning Amendments

New Designs for Growth Citizen Planning Series

A very good basic tutorial for planning and zoning by Networks Northwest's Grand Traverse Bay Area, Michigan, New Designs for Growth Citizen Planning Series.

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