Act No. 177

Public Acts of 2001

Approved by the Governor

December 14, 2001

Filed with the Secretary of State

December 15, 2001

EFFECTIVE DATE: December 15, 2001

STATE OF MICHIGAN

91ST LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2001

Introduced by Rep. Ruth Johnson

ENROLLED HOUSE BILL No. 4995

AN ACT to amend 1943 PA 184, entitled "An act to provide for the establishment in townships of zoning districts within which the proper use of land and natural resources may be encouraged or regulated by ordinance, and for which districts provisions may also be adopted designating the location of, the size of, the uses that may be made of, the minimum open spaces, sanitary, safety, and protective measures that shall be required for, and the maximum number of families that may be housed in dwellings, buildings, and structures, including tents and trailer coaches, that are erected or altered; to designate the use of certain state licensed residential facilities; to provide for a method for the adoption of ordinances and amendments to ordinances; to provide for emergency interim ordinances; to provide for the acquisition by purchase, condemnation, or otherwise of nonconforming property; to provide for the administering of ordinances adopted; to provide for conflicts with other acts, ordinances, or regulations; to provide sanctions for violations; to provide for the assessment, levy, and collection of taxes; to provide for the collection of fees for building permits; to provide for petitions, public hearings, and referenda; to provide for appeals; to authorize the purchase of development rights; to authorize the issuance of bonds and notes; to provide for special assessments; and to prescribe penalties and provide remedies," by amending sections 12 and 40 (MCL 125.282 and 125.310), section 12 as amended by 1996 PA 297 and section 40 as amended by 2000 PA 384, and by adding section 16h.

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 12. Within 7 days after publication of a zoning ordinance under section 11a, a registered elector residing in the portion of the township outside the limits of cities and villages may file with the township clerk a notice of intent to file a petition under this section. If a notice of intent is filed, then within 30 days following the publication of the zoning ordinance, a petition signed by a number of registered electors residing in the portion of the township outside the limits of cities and villages equal to not less than 15% of the total vote cast for all candidates for governor, at the last preceding general election at which a governor was elected, in the township may be filed with the township clerk requesting the submission of an ordinance or part of an ordinance to the electors residing in the portion of the township outside the limits of cities and villages for their approval. Upon the filing of a notice of intent, the ordinance or part of the ordinance adopted by the township board shall not take effect until 1 of the following occurs:

(a) The expiration of 30 days after publication of the ordinance, if a petition is not filed within that time.

(b) If a petition is filed within 30 days after publication of the ordinance, the township clerk determines that the petition is inadequate.

(c) If a petition is filed within 30 days after publication of the ordinance, the township clerk determines that the petition is adequate and the ordinance or part of the ordinance is approved by a majority of the registered electors residing in the portion of the township outside the limits of cities and villages voting thereon at the next regular election which supplies reasonable time for proper notices and printing of ballots, or at any special election called for that purpose. The township board shall provide the manner of submitting an ordinance or part of an ordinance to the electors for their approval or rejection, and determining the result of the election.

Sec. 16h. (1) Subject to subsection (4) and section 12, beginning 1 year after the effective date of the amendatory act that added this section, each qualified township shall provide in its zoning ordinance that land zoned for residential development may be developed, at the option of the land owner, with the same number of dwelling units on a portion of the land specified in the zoning ordinance, but not more than 50%, that, as determined by the township, could otherwise be developed, under existing ordinances, laws, and rules, on the entire land area, if all of the following apply:

(a) The land is zoned at a density equivalent to 2 or fewer dwelling units per acre, or, if the land is served by a public sewer system, 3 or fewer dwelling units per acre.

(b) A percentage of the land area specified in the zoning ordinance, but not less than 50%, will remain perpetually in an undeveloped state by means of a conservation easement, plat dedication, restrictive covenant, or other legal means that runs with the land, as prescribed by the zoning ordinance.

(c) The development does not depend upon the extension of a public sewer or public water supply system, unless development of the land without the exercise of the option provided by this subsection would also depend upon such an extension.

(d) The option provided pursuant to this subsection has not previously been exercised with respect to that land.

(2) After a land owner exercises the option provided pursuant to subsection (1), the land may be rezoned accordingly.

(3) The development of land under subsection (1) is subject to other applicable ordinances, laws, and rules, including rules relating to suitability of groundwater for on-site water supply for land not served by public water and rules relating to suitability of soils for on-site sewage disposal for land not served by public sewers.

(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to a qualified township if both of the following requirements are met:

(a) Since on or before October 1, 2001, the township has had in effect a zoning ordinance provision providing for both of the following:

(i) Land zoned for residential development may be developed, at the option of the land owner, with the same number of dwelling units on a portion of the land that, as determined by the township, could otherwise be developed, under existing ordinances, laws, and rules, on the entire land area.

(ii) If the land owner exercises the option provided by subparagraph (i), the portion of the land not developed will remain perpetually in an undeveloped state by means of a conservation easement, plat dedication, restrictive covenant, or other legal means that runs with the land.

(b) On or before the enactment date of the amendatory act that added this section, a land owner exercised the option provided under the zoning ordinance provision referred to in subdivision (a) with at least 50% of the land area remaining perpetually in an undeveloped state.

(5) As used in this section, "qualified township" means a township that meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Has adopted a zoning ordinance.

(b) Has a population of 1,800 or more.

(c) Has land that is not developed and that is zoned for residential development at a density described in subsection (1)(a).

(6) The zoning ordinance provisions required by subsection (1) shall be known and may be cited as the "open space preservation" provisions of the zoning ordinance.

Sec. 40. (1) As used in this act:

(a) "Agricultural land" means substantially undeveloped land devoted to the production of plants and animals useful to humans, including forage and sod crops; grains, feed crops, and field crops; dairy products; poultry and poultry products; livestock, including breeding and grazing of cattle, swine, and similar animals; berries; herbs; flowers; seeds; grasses; nursery stock; fruits; vegetables; Christmas trees; and other similar uses and activities.

(b) "Airport" means an airport licensed by the Michigan department of transportation, bureau of aeronautics under section 86 of the aeronautics code of the state of Michigan, 1945 PA 327, MCL 259.86.

(c) "Airport approach plan" means a plan, or an amendment to a plan, adopted under section 12 of the airport zoning act, 1950 (Ex Sess) PA 23, MCL 259.442, and filed with the township zoning board under section 151 of the aeronautics code of the state of Michigan, 1945 PA 327, MCL 259.151.

(d) "Airport layout plan" means a plan, or an amendment to a plan, that shows current or proposed layout of an airport, that is approved by the Michigan aeronautics commission, and that is filed with the township zoning board under section 151 of the aeronautics code of the state of Michigan, 1945 PA 327, MCL 259.151.

(e) "Airport manager" means that term as defined in section 10 of the aeronautics code of the state of Michigan, 1945 PA 327, MCL 259.10.

(f) "Airport zoning regulations" means airport zoning regulations under the airport zoning act, 1950 (Ex Sess) PA 23, MCL 259.431 to 259.465, for an airport hazard area that lies in whole or part in the area affected by a zoning ordinance under this act.

(g) "Conservation easement" means that term as defined in section 2140 of the natural resources and environmental protection act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.2140.

(h) "Development rights" means the rights to develop land to the maximum intensity of development authorized by law.

(i) "Development rights ordinance" means an ordinance, which may comprise part of a zoning ordinance, adopted under section 31.

(j) "Greenway" means a contiguous or linear open space, including habitats, wildlife corridors, and trails, that link parks, nature reserves, cultural features, or historic sites with each other, for recreation and conservation purposes.

(k) "Intensity of development" means the height, bulk, area, density, setback, use, and other similar characteristics of development.

(l) "Other eligible land" means land that has a common property line with agricultural land from which development rights have been purchased and that is not divided from that agricultural land by a state or federal limited access highway.

(m) "PDR program" means a program under section 32 for the purchase of development rights by a township.

(n) "Population of" a specified number means the population according to the most recent federal decennial census or according to a special census conducted pursuant to section 7 of the Glenn Steil state revenue sharing act of 1971, 1971 PA 140, MCL 141.907, whichever is the more recent.

(o) "Undeveloped state" means a natural state preserving natural resources, natural features, or scenic or wooded conditions; agricultural use; open space; or a similar use or condition. Land in an undeveloped state does not include a golf course but may include a recreational trail, picnic area, children's play area, greenway, or linear park. Land in an undeveloped state may be, but is not required to be, dedicated to the use of the public.

(2) This act shall be known and may be cited as the "township zoning act".

This act is ordered to take immediate effect.

Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Secretary of the Senate.

Approved

Governor.