MSU Extension Planning

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  Zoning in on millennials

  Published on January 10, 2020
  Changing community codes to attract talented youth is one economic development strategy.

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  PARK(ing) day: A Placemaking Tool

  Published on January 10, 2020
  Create a temporary public park in your community on parking day.

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  Public hearing is not only way to involve the public

  Published on December 18, 2019
  There are many ways to effectively involve the public beyond the public hearing.

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  Training, continuing education is best strategy for planning and zoning risk management

  Published on December 16, 2019
  Continuing education and training is an important planning and zoning risk management strategy for local governments in Michigan. While Michigan has many training opportunities, participation could be greater.

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  Bad zoning can be worse than no zoning at all

  Published on December 16, 2019
  Communities can evaluate planning and zoning programs using performance audit materials from Michigan State University Extension.

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  The importance of discussing best practices for continuing education in planning and zoning

  Published on December 16, 2019
  Continuing education is an important strategy for local government risk management. Bylaws and local policy should also address how much training is appropriate and what topics training should focus on.

• Nonconformities in zoning is the source of much confusion

  Published on December 13, 2019
  Zoning cannot be retroactive and has to grandfather existing land uses. Those are called nonconformities which take on many characteristics and are different than zoning violations.

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  Local government has an important role for water quality protection: Part 2

  Published on December 13, 2019
  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.

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  Local government has an important role for water quality protection: Part 3

  Published on December 13, 2019
  State and federal regulations help protect water resources but does not do the whole job. Local government has an important role also – buffers and greenbelts are enforceable and are not property takings.

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  Right to Farm Act can preempt local regulation authority, but not all local regulations

  Published on November 19, 2019
  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.