Public Policy News Archive
March, 2013
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Zoning district, tax assessor classifications not the same thing
March 24, 2013 | Kurt H. Schindler | Some use tax assessor classifications as an indicator of zoning district. They are not the same and one should never base zoning decisions on property tax classifications.
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The uncompromising zoning administrator is not a bad guy
March 24, 2013 | Kurt H. Schindler | Zoning administrators are sticklers for rules, and may seem uncompromising. They have a job to do, and not doing their job can result in serious personal liability for a zoning administrator.
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Communities can enhance local planning and zoning using the Internet
March 24, 2013 | Dean Solomon | Advances in Internet technology and accessibility provide an excellent opportunity for land use officials to make planning and zoning information more available, and increase the number of citizens engaged in planning decisions.
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Workshops to help northeast Michigan communities protect water quality
March 24, 2013 | Dean Solomon | Upcoming MSU Extension workshop series will help local officials tackle the challenge of protecting the region’s outstanding water resources.
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Lake Improvement Boards: A local approach to inland lake protection
March 24, 2013 | Jane Herbert | New manual offers guidance on forming a lake improvement board. Manual is free and available to download.
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Difference between special use permits and variances
March 22, 2013 | Ryan Coffey | Special use permits and variances are zoning tools that protect communities and properties while providing flexibility to landowners and municipalities.
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Michigan’s new emergency manager law
March 16, 2013 | Terry Gibb | When Public Act 4, the emergency manager law, was rejected by a vote of the people, new legislation was passed. The new law, Public Act 436 of 2012, gives communities options to address fiscal challenges.
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March means spring is around the corner, but not before your local March board of review
March 8, 2013 | Brad Neumann | The March board of review is a landowner’s single opportunity to protest a property tax issue to the local government related to property classification, assessed value or the qualified agricultural property exemption.
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Qualified agricultural property exemption not necessarily tied to property classification
March 8, 2013 | Brad Neumann | By the first Monday in March each year, local assessors are required to classify all real property in each unit of government and agricultural property is no exception.
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How do I learn more about the Michigan Indian Tuition Wavier?
March 8, 2013 | Emily Proctor | The MITW is a program enacted by Public Act 174 of 1976, which waives the tuition costs for eligible Native Americans in public community colleges or universities within Michigan.