Planning and Economic Development

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning and environmental services

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Q: What is the current population of Macomb County?  My community?
A: For counties and communities with a population above 65,000, you can look at      the Census website http://www.census.gov. Under ‘People and Households’,      click on ‘American Community Survey’ to find recent population estimates,      which are based on data from a sample of the population.

     You can also look up current population estimates on the Southeast Michigan      Council of Governments (SEMCOG) website, www.semcog.org, under the      ‘Data’ tab on the homepage. Then scroll down to select the county or      community of your choice.

Q: How do I find out how many ethnic populations live in Macomb County
      and the number of people of specific races and cultures?
A: On the left side of U.S. Census’ main webpage, click on ‘American FactFinder’,      and then click on ‘People’. A drop down box will show ‘Race and Ethnicity’.      Click on that tab and then indicate your search location as ‘Macomb County’      and ‘Michigan’.

Q: Who can I talk to about the zoning of my property?
A: Since Michigan is a “home rule” state, citizens are able to call their own (home)      community to check the local zoning map and determine what the zoning is on      any particular parcel within the community. Often, your local community’s      Planning and Zoning Departments are combined to offer integrated service to      local citizens.

Q: Someone is building next to me. How do I know exactly where my lot
      ends and theirs begins?
A: The first call should be to the local assessor’s office. Your local assessor will      give you the location and dimensions of your property. If there is a dispute over      property lines, it is possible you may need to call a certified surveyor to identify      the exact boundaries of your property.

Q: Are there wetlands on my parcel?
A: The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) describes wetlands      as "transitional areas where water and land meet." The water can be slightly      above or below the surface of the land and the land does not have to be wet all      the time to classify as a wetland. Please refer to the DEQ's website for more      information on wetland identification procedures, performed either by the      DEQ or by a qualified private consultant. DEQ Website

     Additionally, MCPED's Geographic Information Services Group has available      online the Macomb County Potential Wetland Indicator Map, which represents      the results of intersecting the wetland area of the SEMCOG 2000 Land Use      Land Cover Map, the National Wetlands Inventory and Hydric Soils taken from      County Soil Surveys. The State of Michigan recognizes the map as the official      wetlands map for Macomb County. However, the information provided in this      map is intended to indicate where wetlands are most probable and does not      guarantee that an actual wetland exists. Delineation of wetlands should be      validated by an in-field survey by a competent professional.

Q: Is my land in a floodplain? If so, how can I appeal?
A: For answers to these and other questions please visit the following Federal      resources.

     Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Flood Insurance      Program

     National Flood Insurance Program Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a Land Bank?
A: A land bank is a public authority created to efficiently hold, manage, and      develop tax-foreclosed property. By using the legal tools a land bank      possesses, a community can ensure that tax-foreclosed property is sold or      developed with the long-term interest of the community and the surrounding      property owners in mind. Without a land bank, tax-foreclosed property is sold to      the highest bidder, with no ability for the community to determine for itself the      best use of the land.

Q: What farmland preservation program is available from the State of      Michigan?
A: The Farmland and Open Space Preservation Program for the State of Michigan      assures that land will remain in farming for a certain number of years that is      detailed in a covenant agreement between the landowner and the State of      Michigan. An agreement must be signed for at least ten years and not more      then 90 years. The contract can be extended after the expiration of the initial      agreement by increments of seven years. In return for signing this agreement      the farmer is eligible for tax credits and exempt from special assessments for      drains, water lines, etc. At the end of the agreement the farmland owner can      choose to continue the contract. The contract can be extended in increments of      seven years. Once the farmland owner discontinues the contract, they must      repay the State of Michigan the last seven years of tax credits.

     Michigan Department of Agriculture's Farmland Preservation Site

Q: What is a Conservation Easement?
A: According to the Michigan Society of Planners, a Conservation Easement is a      legally binding restriction on a property, which limits its use or activity.      Conservation easements can be used to protect land, especially that which is      environmentally sensitive or unique, from the encroachment of new      development. The property owner usually volunteers conservation easements.      There are advantages to both community and landowner in the granting of      conservation easements. The donation allows the community to receive the      benefit of open space without the cost of purchase. For the landowner, the      donation of conservation easements will typically result in federal tax savings.

Q: What are subdivision regulations?
A: Subdivision regulations apply when land is divided into more lots than are      permitted under the lot split provisions of the Land Division Act. Subdivision      regulations are adopted to regulate proposed subdivisions or plats. They      establish the administrative review and evaluation procedure for processing      conceptual, preliminary, and final plats. Subdivision regulations help ensure      that the new lots conform to the community’s zoning standards, and that the      street layouts are convenient and safe.

 
Q: What is a community master plan?
A: A Master Plan provides guidance to accomplish a coordinated and harmonious     development of the municipality and its environs which will, in accordance with     present and future needs, promote public health, safety morals,     order, convenience, prosperity, and general welfare. Currently, the MCPED     reviews municipal plans and provides input into the process. The following link     will take you to master plans and documents related to planning for     municipalities in Michigan. Some of our communities are located on the site.     List of Michigan communities available online.

Q: What is the difference between a subdivision lot and a site condominium?
A: Site condominiums have become a popular part of Michigan's Real Estate Development, because they allow developers to avoid the lengthy State of Michigan review process that is outlined in the 1967 Michigan Subdivision Control Act.   The properties have the appearance of and are considered by the market to be equivalent to standard-platted single family subdivisions.  The properties are in all aspects identical to standard single-family subdivisions except for their legal description. Association fees are generally similar to homeowner association fees in standard platted subdivisions and are intended for the maintenance of entrance ways and open space within the development.