MSU Extension Planning

News

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  Why bike to work? The more appropriate question seems to be why not?

  Published on May 16, 2016
  The benefits of biking for transportation are overwhelming and opportunities abound for choosing this form of active transportation for better personal and community health.

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  New report looks at resiliency in the Saginaw Bay Watershed

  Published on May 15, 2016
  More than 250 decision-makers surveyed on the impact of extreme storm events in local communities.

• Public comment made simple: Part 2

  Published on April 29, 2016
  Easy rules to follow to make public comment go smoothly in public meetings.

• Public comment made simple: Part 1

  Published on April 29, 2016
  Easy rules to follow to make public comment go smoothly in public meetings.

• Many local governments still need to update sign regulations following the 2015 Supreme Court case

  Published on April 22, 2016
  It has been almost ten months since the US Supreme Court ruling on content-neutral regulation of signs. The June 2015 ruling re-emphasized and further restricted content-based regulation of signs. Many local governments have yet to adopt new regulations.

• Vague or subjective ordinance standards: In the court’s opinion they stink! Part 1

  Published on April 14, 2016
  A recent Court of Appeals case reinforces that government regulations must be clear and specific. Previous cases provide principles helpful in reviewing an ordinance for vagueness.

• Vague or subjective ordinance standards: In the court’s opinion they stink! Part 2

  Published on April 14, 2016
  A recent Court of Appeals case reinforces that government regulations must be clear and specific. Previous cases provide principles helpful in reviewing an ordinance for vagueness.

• Implementing community vision requires detailed strategies

  Published on April 1, 2016
  All too often, community master plans include wonderfully crafted visions and goals, but fall short on the detail needed in the form of individual strategies. It is detailed strategies that are most likely to lead to plan implementation.

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  Do not underfund a planning and zoning program

  Published on March 29, 2016
  Under budgeting for planning and zoning may result in a poorly run planning and zoning program which may do more harm than good. Cost savings can be realized by use of joint planning, sharing zoning administrator services, and other cooperative efforts.

• Placemaking for tourism - How to attract new visitors and talent to your region

  Published on March 23, 2016
  A two-part webinar highlighting placemaking as an economic development strategy, detailing Michigan's tourism economy and providing strategies to enhance tourist experiences through placemaking.