(1) Each local unit of government in which the legislative body exercises authority under this act shall create a zoning commission unless 1 of the following applies:

(a) A county zoning commission created under former 1943 PA 183, a township zoning board created under former 1943 PA 184, or a city or village zoning commission created under former 1921 PA 207 was in existence in the local unit of government as of June 30, 2006. Unless abolished by the legislative body, that existing board or commission shall continue as and exercise the powers and perform the duties of a zoning commission under this act, subject to a transfer of power under subsection (2).

(b) A planning commission was, as of June 30, 2006, in existence in the local unit of government and pursuant to the applicable planning enabling act exercising the powers and performing the duties of a county zoning commission created under former 1943 PA 185, of a township zoning board created under former 1943 PA 184, or of a city or village zoning commission created under former 1921 PA 207. Unless abolished by the legislative body, that existing planning commission shall continue and exercise the powers and perform the duties of a zoning commission under this act.

(c) The local unit of government has created a planning commission on or after July 1, 2006 and transferred the powers and duties of a zoning commission to the planning commission pursuant to the applicable planning enabling act.

(2) Except as otherwise provided under this subsection, if the powers and duties of the zoning commission have been transferred to the planning commission as provided by law, the planning commission shall function as the zoning commission of the local unit of government. By July 1, 2011, the legislative body shall transfer the powers and duties of the zoning commission to the planning commission. Except as provided under this subsection, beginning July 1, 2011, a zoning commission's powers or duties under this act or an ordinance adopted under this act shall only be exercised or performed by a planning commission.

(3) If a zoning commission is created on or after July 1, 2006, the zoning commission shall be created by resolution and be composed of not fewer than 5 or more than 11 members appointed by the legislative body. Not fewer than 2 of the members of a county zoning commission shall be recommended for membership by the legislative bodies of townships that are, or will be, subject to the county zoning ordinance. This requirement may be met as vacancies occur on a county zoning commission that existed on June 30, 2006.

(4) The members of a zoning commission shall be selected upon the basis of the members' qualifications and fitness to serve as members of a zoning commission.

(5) The first zoning commission appointed under subsection (3) shall be divided as nearly as possible into 3 equal groups, with terms of each group as follows:

(6) Upon the expiration of the terms of the members first appointed, successors shall be appointed in the same manner for terms of 3 years each. A member of the zoning commission shall serve until a successor is appointed and has been qualified.

(7) A vacancy on a zoning commission shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

(8) An elected officer of a local unit of government shall not serve simultaneously as a member or an employee of the zoning commission of that local unit of government, except that 1 member of the legislative body may be a member of the zoning commission.

(9) The legislative body shall provide for the removal of a member of a zoning commission for misfeasance, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in office upon written charges and after public hearing.

(10) A zoning commission shall elect from its members a chairperson, a secretary, and other officers and establish such committees it considers necessary and may engage any employees, including for technical assistance, it requires. The election of officers shall be held not less than once in every 2-year period.

Members of the zoning commission may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses actually incurred in the discharge of their duties and may receive compensation as fixed by the legislative body.

(1) With the approval of the legislative body, the zoning commission may engage the services of a planning expert. Compensation for the planning expert shall be paid by the legislative body.

(2) The zoning commission shall consider any information and recommendations furnished by appropriate public officials, departments, or agencies.

The zoning commission shall hold a minimum of 2 regular meetings annually, giving notice of the time and place by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the zoning jurisdiction. Notice shall be given not less than 15 days before the meeting. The zoning commission is subject to the open meetings act, 1976 PA 267, MCL 15.261 to 15.275.

(c) The text of a zoning ordinance with the necessary maps and zoning regulations to be adopted for a zoning district or the zoning jurisdiction as a whole.

(1) Before submitting its recommendations for a proposed zoning ordinance to the legislative body, the zoning commission shall hold at least 1 public hearing. Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall be given in the same manner as required under section 103(1) for the initial adoption of a zoning ordinance or section 202 for any other subsequent zoning text or map amendments.

(2) Notice of the time and place of the public hearing shall also be given by mail to each electric, gas, and pipeline public utility company, each telecommunication service provider, each railroad operating within the district or zone affected, and the airport manager of each airport, that registers its name and mailing address with the clerk of the legislative body for the purpose of receiving the notice of public hearing.

(3) The notices required under this section shall include the places and times at which the proposed text and any maps of the zoning ordinance may be examined.

(1) Following the hearing required in section 306, a township shall submit for review and recommendation the proposed zoning ordinance, including any zoning maps, to the zoning commission of the county in which the township is situated if a county zoning commission has been appointed as provided under this act.

(2) If there is not a county zoning commission or county planning commission, the proposed zoning ordinance shall be submitted to the coordinating zoning committee. The coordinating zoning committee shall be composed of either 3 or 5 members appointed by the legislative body of the county for the purpose of coordinating the zoning ordinances proposed for adoption under this act with the zoning ordinances of a township, city, or village having a common boundary with the township.

(3) The county will have waived its right for review and recommendation of an ordinance if the recommendation of the county zoning commission, planning commission, or coordinating zoning committee has not been received by the township within 30 days from the date the proposed ordinance is received by the county.

(4) The legislative body of a county by resolution may waive its right to review township ordinances and amendments under this section.

(1) Following the required public hearing under section 306, the zoning commission shall transmit a summary of comments received at the hearing and its proposed zoning ordinance, including any zoning maps and recommendations, to the legislative body of the local unit of government.

(2) Following the enactment of the zoning ordinance, the zoning commission shall at least once per year prepare for the legislative body a report on the administration and enforcement of the zoning ordinance and recommendations for amendments or supplements to the ordinance.