The rise of data centers across Michigan has generated significant public attention and, in many communities, considerable apprehension. Local governments and planners are fielding questions from residents, receiving inquiries from developers, and grappling with how to respond to a land use that feels unfamiliar. Some communities are avoiding the issue or attempting to block these…
Where Data Meets Land Use: A Michigan Municipal Guide to Data Center Development
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2025 Zoning Cases Review (Part I): Top Takeaways from Five Recent Michigan Zoning-Related Cases
Throughout 2025, appellate courts at both the state and federal level issued several decisions that will have a notable impact on townships and municipalities across Michigan. Given the large volume of recent zoning-related municipal cases, this E-Letter could not cover them all. Instead, it focuses on five cases that stood out from last year. These…
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Does a Township Planning Commission Member continue to serve as a member if their term has expired and there has been no appointment of a new member?
Yes. The Michigan Planning Enabling Act (MPEA) states that Planning Commission members shall be appointed by the Township Supervisor for 3-year terms. MCL 125.3815(1). The MPEA states that “[a] member shall hold office until his or her successor is appointed.” MCL 125.3815(2). So if the member’s 3-year term has expired, they can continue to serve…
