News

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 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.
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.
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.
NCI partners with MSU’s Toolbox Dialogue Initiative Center to build capacity for collaboration

Published on September 14, 2022
NCI’s September Newsletter
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 and condominiums

Published on September 1, 2022
Does the zoning ordinance prohibit condominiums if they are not listed as a use?
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.
Building successful communities of every size

Published on August 26, 2022
MSU Extension's Citizen Planner Program is a proven solution providing a unique platform for learning the fundamentals of planning and zoning.
Proving a practical difficulty for a dimensional variance request

Published on August 24, 2022
While inherently rigid, there are mechanisms in zoning to allow for flexibility.