Implementation Guidelines

The Michigan Association of Planning's Planning Law Committee, has developed implementation guidelines for the 2001 Planning and Zoning Law Amendments. Given the complexity of the changes to the laws and interpretive nature of those changes, implementation guidelines were created to help clarify planning and zoning procedures.

Download copies of each guideline. A total of eight guidelines have been developed:

1. What Body Approves the Plan?
This guideline addresses the option of either the planning commission or the elected body approving the plan.

2. What does "Revision", "Extension", "Addition", or "Other Amendment" mean in the Planning Enabling Acts?
This guideline attempts to clarify the differences between a revision, addition, or extension, terms that are not defined in any of the Planning Enabling Acts. The act does distinguish an amendment from a revision.

3. Five Year Review of the Plan
This guideline addresses changes to the law that require that the planning commission review the plan at least every five years to determine whether to amend a plan or adopt a new one.

4. Determining Whether a Proposed Plan is "Inconsistent"
This guideline seeks to assist in identifying a method to determine whether a plan may be deemed inconsistent.

5. Guidelines for Providing Coordination Between Governmental Entities During Preparation of a Plan
The amendments require that a municipality preparing a plan notify other municipalities and entities. This guideline clarifies timing of comments, notice of intent, what are "other" governmental entities, how should comments be transmitted, etc.

6. Capital Improvement Program Requirements
This guideline discusses the planning commission's responsibility to review pubic improvements for consistency with the local comprehensive plan.

7. What Should Local Comments on a Plan Consist of and What Should a Local Government Do With Comments it Receives on a Proposed Plan?
This guideline is for sending your proposed plan to neighboring jurisdictions for their comment and input, and defines the scope of the comments, identifies what is appropriate.

Includes sample response form and sample checklist, and a glossary of terms.

8. Open Space Preservation Zoning Provisions: Cluster Zoning Option
Cluster zoning is now a mandatory part of the zoning enabling acts. This guideline discusses non exempt communities, and when adoption of an open space preservation/cluster ordinance is required.