News

A zoning plan is a required part of master plans in Michigan

Published on August 4, 2021
Recent changes to Michigan statutes related to planning and zoning clarify the requirement for communities with an adopted zoning ordinance to also have an adopted “zoning plan.”
2020-2021 Michigan planning and zoning court cases are available

Published on July 26, 2021
The annual 2020-2021 summary of Michigan planning and zoning court cases is now available to the public.
Planning commissions and zoning board of appeals are required to have governing bylaws

Published on July 23, 2021
There is a minimum content for bylaws, but normally there is much more, including specifying which parliamentary authority is used.
New Planning Commissioner Training series launched in partnership with Planetizen Courses

Published on June 28, 2021
Virtual training series provides citizen planners with the tools and resources to effectively work alongside professional planners on behalf of their communities.
Water quantity webinar addresses water availability and use

Published on June 28, 2021
Local decision-makers play a key role in managing our freshwater resources.
To plan or not to plan? Minimum contents of a master plan

Published on June 17, 2021
For local governments that chose to adopt zoning, this is a moot question, as zoning must be based on a plan. Still, the minimum contents of a master plan are not well defined in law and communities have great latitude in developing a master plan.
MSU to offer CPTED certificate training – June 2-4, 2021

Published on May 13, 2021
The MSU Complete Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) Certificate Training is a three-day course that focuses on understanding the relationship between the physical environment and criminal opportunities.
Cultivating local farm economies

Published on April 21, 2021
Farm viability requires flexibility, innovation in local government planning and zoning to allow for farm income diversification.
Planning for pangolins and pandemics

Published on April 15, 2021
Whether it be siting dog parks, creating urban farming zones, or planning for the public health, Planning Matters in how human and nonhuman animals share cities.
Planning commissions can strengthen inclusion with gender neutral policy language

Published on April 7, 2021
Are people of all gender identities represented in your planning commission bylaws, policies, and other documents? Many organizations have taken steps to update policies and replace gendered language with gender neutral options.