News

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 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.
Circuit court review of ZBA decisions

Published on August 24, 2022
When your zoning board of appeals is not the last stop on the road to a zoning ordinance determination.
How to handle appeals of administrative decisions

Published on August 19, 2022
The zoning board of appeals is the only entity authorized to hear appeals on the administration and enforcement of the zoning ordinance at the local level. When doing so, careful considerations must be made.
Meet Assistant Professor Craig Carpenter

Published on March 14, 2022
Dr. Craig Carpenter in the Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics is using his expertise in regional economic development to promote economic opportunities and to educate others on Michigan’s history of economic inequality.
Ag and Solar is not a zero-sum game

Published on February 25, 2022
Land management and conservation practices provide options for ag and solar integration.
Conflict of interest rules apply to all communities, regardless of size

Published on February 24, 2022
Often a small community struggles to avoid a “conflict of interest” situation – particularly hard because of its small size. But there are not any exceptions or special dispensation due to the size of a community.
Forestry Student Spotlight – Arjeta Bajramaj

Published on January 12, 2022
Arjeta Bajramaj shares some of her influential forestry experiences that have helped transform her interest into an aspiring career path.
Right to Farm Act can preempt local regulation authority, but not all local regulations

Published on December 16, 2021
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.
AFRE Alumni Shape National Agricultural Policy at the USDA Economic Research Service

Published on December 13, 2021
Six recent graduates of the Michigan State University Department of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics Graduate Program have found job placements at ERS.