Extreme Makeover Planning Edition: New State Planning Legislation enacted.

On March 13, 2008 Governor Jennifer Granholm signed Senate Bill 206 authorizing Public Act 33 of 2008, titled the Michigan Planning Enabling Act.  This legislative action culminates over five years of land use planning reform at the state level and unifies the county, township, and municipal planning acts into a single legislative statue.  The Michigan Planning Enabling Act will provide local and county planning officials and administrators with a clear and unified framework to develop and enact sound planning principles and procedures.

The long and detailed process in fortifying this vision for planning throughout the State of Michigan began in 2003 with the 26 member bipartisan Land Use Leadership Council appointed by Governor Granholm, which published a 100-oage report entitled "Michigan's Land, Michigan's Future".  Recommending over 200 improvements/modifications to Michigan’s land use/zoning processes, the Council noted the importance of unifying and integrating planning and zoning laws.  The report also noted the fragmented and complex nature of land use practices, and the difficulty of coordinating large-scale projects across jurisdictional boundaries.  Following a series of bipartisan workgroups including homebuilders, realtors, environmental advocates, land use planners, and officials from states and local units of governments, Senator Patricia Birkholz introduced SB 206 in February of 2007, which was the foundation for the Michigan Planning Enabling Act.  Now after a year of committee review and legislative debate the Michigan Planning Enabling Act has finally been approved and enacted as of September 1st 2008.

The new legislation makes all levels of planning more user friendly and inclusive.  Some of the act’s highlights include:

Each community throughout Macomb County approaches planning from a number of diverse capacities.  The important thing to note is that regardless of the planning capacities and visions of your community, the Michigan Planning Enabling Act (MPEA) provides a uniform process for all communities emphasizing the importance of making sound land use choices that are founded on community goals and expectations.  The MPEA fortifies the ability for a community to take hold of the physical, economic, and social development happening within and outside its borders.  Rather than being a bystander and allowing growth to take its own course, the MPEA permits communities to make choices, set goals, and usher in a new era of growth that is founded on accountability and cooperation.  These legislated safeguards have been set in place to protect the integrity and character of our communities.  The planning tools and procedures set forth in the MPEA will undoubtedly protect communities against legal and haphazard growth.

John Crumm, Program Manager of Planning and Environmental Services at the Macomb County Department of Planning and Environmental Services, proclaimed, “The Michigan Planning Enabling Act provides all those involved in planning at the County and local level with a fresh and opportunistic way to create plans which will lead to better physical, community, and economic development for all of us.  We have reached a monumental period in the long and storied history of land use planning in Macomb County.  The MPEA provides us with the ability to wield great power and resources in the name of sound land use planning, which will have a profound impact on the economic, physical, and social development of Macomb County".

Department staff have reviewed the legislation and are ready to assist your community through this transitional process.  There are many more tools and procedures that can be instituted to enhance planning in your community.  MCPED staff can assist your community with analyzing the current state of planning within you jurisdiction, and help develop a tailor-made timeline and framework that will bring your community up to compliance with the MPEA.  This is a unique time in the history of planning within the State of Michigan, and MCPED is prepared to ensure that your community benefits from the MPEA.