State Offers Training for New Zoning Enabling Laws in Area

Training programs to update local officials on two new state planning and zoning laws are planned in St. Ignace Wednesday, June 11, and Newberry Thursday, June 12.

The programs are being organized across the state by the Planning and Zoning Center at Michigan State University (MSU), in cooperation with MSU Extension.

The St. Ignace workshop will take place in St. Ignace at Little Bear East Conference Center. The center, a program within the MSU Land Policy Institute, offers research, education, and consultation on best practices for community planning and development control.

The Michigan Planning Enabling Act is the result of 10 years of effort to consolidate, and unify where possible, the laws permitting the creation of planning commissions and local master plans by cities, villages, townships, and counties.

The new act becomes effective September 1.The center is publishing the second edition of the Michigan Zoning Guidebook and the new Michigan Planning Guidebook to improve understanding of the new laws.

All registrants at the training programs will receive copies of the new publications, checklists, sample bylaws, and ordinances to implement the new laws.

Immediate registration is available and space is limited at each training location. For more information, contact (517) 432-2222.