APA Michigan Chapter Releases Planning Statute Reform Report

The Michigan Society of Planning, APA's state chapter, has released New Directions: Recommendations for Planning, Zoning, and Subdivision Law in Michigan. The report proposes 27 important substantive and technical changes to Michigan planning laws. The report's recommendations point to specific model statutory language in APA's Growing Smart Legislative Guidebook that can be adapted to fit Michigan's need.

Click here to view and download the complete text of the report.

The report analyzes current statutes, case law, Michigan Attorney General opinions, and previous state-level land use studies. It was prepared by Stuart Meck, FAICP, and Marya Morris, AICP, of APA's Research staff in Chicago. They worked with an advisory committee of chapter members and chapter executive director David Downey to craft the report. In addition, they met with a series of intensive focus groups in East Lansing, Michigan, last year. Focus group members included professional planners, attorneys, builders, farmers, and local elected officials.

The report was funded by the W.K. Kellogg People and Land grant program.

Click here to visit the Michigan chapter's website.