News
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Streamlining the zoning ordinance: Part 1
Published on September 22, 2014
Zoning can be confusing and hard to understand. There are several zoning streamlining techniques to make zoning easier to understand and use. -
Rural Smart Growth to reinforce regional placemaking: Part 1
Published on August 27, 2014
Regions are the smallest geographic unit of sustainable growth and development. Rural Smart Growth strategies combined with urban Placemaking efforts contribute to a region’s quality of life and sense of place. -
Rural Smart Growth to reinforce regional placemaking: Part 2
Published on August 27, 2014
Regions are the smallest geographic unit of sustainable growth and development. Rural Smart Growth strategies combined with urban Placemaking efforts contribute to a region’s quality of life and sense of place. -
Crowdfunding placemaking
Published on August 13, 2014
For years, crowdfunding has been a popular way to raise money to develop the latest gadgets. Now, Michigan communities can utilize crowdfunding to launch placemaking projects for economic development. -
What is the Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978?
Published on August 11, 2014
Religion and spirituality are cornerstones in the lives of many American Indians as it is for others who live in the United States. -
Does conservation pay?
Published on August 4, 2014
While educating developers concerning environmental impacts is important, greater profits will induce developers more than appeals to their environmental ethic or their conscience. -
Local government and climate change: Assess your community’s flood resilience
Published on July 22, 2014
With rainfall intensification predicted in the Midwest, a new checklist guides communities in developing policies and standards to improve flood resilience. -
There are multiple ways to style a zoning ordinance
Published on July 21, 2014
Zoning can be written, or prepared, several different ways. Most common is to think of zoning as traditional, conventional, performance-based, form-based or a mix of each of these. -
Existing livestock farms in ‘primary residential’ areas can continue
Published on July 18, 2014
Recent changes to the Site Selection GAAMP do not likely affect existing livestock facilities in primarily residential areas. Considered nonconforming land uses, such livestock facilities are probably allowed to continue under zoning. -
Developing a purposeful agenda: Part 2
Published on June 17, 2014
What do the items on a purposeful agenda actually mean?