Planning

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Strengthening fiscal sustainability for Michigan’s local governments

Published on August 29, 2025
In partnership with the Michigan Department of Treasury, MSU Extension’s Fiscally Ready Communities program reached 1,163 participants across 8 educational webinars in 2024.
Master plans and housing: What the Michigan Planning Enabling Act requires

Published on July 21, 2025
Changes to the Michigan Planning Enabling Act effective April 2, 2025, require communities to consider their housing needs when master planning.
Understanding the “Rural-Urban Transect” tool

Published on July 21, 2025
The Transect is a community analysis tool that can lead to better understanding of land use patterns and application of planning and zoning techniques.
MSU Institute of Public Utilities welcomes Erik Nordman as new director

Published on July 11, 2025
Nordman joins the Institute from Grand Valley State University, following a nationwide search.
Minimum contents of a master plan

Published on June 19, 2025
For local governments that chose to adopt zoning, this is a moot question, as zoning must be based on a plan. Still, the minimum contents of a master plan are not well defined in law and communities have great latitude in developing a master plan.
The forgotten law: Planning commission review of capital expenditures

Published on June 6, 2025
When government proposes to buy land, buildings, renovate or build, the proposal should be reviewed by that government’s planning commission first.
Cultivating local farm economies

Published on May 30, 2025
Farm viability requires flexibility, along with innovation in local government planning and zoning to allow for farm income diversification.
Planning and zoning for solar in Michigan

Published on May 30, 2025
Renewable energy siting laws in Michigan limit the role of local government while expanding the role of the state. A new guide helps communities prepare.
MSU students partner with Michigan communities to improve trail access

Published on May 30, 2025
Trail Building, Law and Policy course connects student projects to community development
Biophilic urbanism is the new frontier in community health

Published on May 2, 2025
Promoting biophilic urbanism in master planning is one way that planners can work to positively impact the health of a community.