If a township adopts a new zoning ordinance or amends its current zoning ordinance, how does that create a nonconforming use? Legally existing uses of land prior to a new or amended zoning ordinance that are not in compliance are considered to be nonconforming uses. A nonconforming use is a vested right in the use…
If a township adopts a new zoning ordinance or amends its current zoning ordinance, how does that create a nonconforming use?
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How do you see the decisions of the Tax Tribunal, Court of Appeals and Supreme Court of Michigan affecting not only the income of the townships but the state’s tax base going forward?
Any decision of the Tax Tribunal, Court of Appeals or Supreme Court adjusting values on a township’s tax roll will impact the township as well as the other taxing entities, including the state (State Education Tax). In larger cases like the “big box” appeals, potential lost revenue from large, multi-million dollar reductions in taxable value…
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In October, you addressed 10 common myths of the Freedom of Information Act. How will the recent amendments to FOIA impact my township?
The good news is that the advice provided in the October E-Letter is not altered by the recent legislative amendments. You can read those 10 common myths here. The recent legislative amendments, however, primarily impact townships with respect to recovering costs for responding to FOIA requests, increased fines for failing to follow FOIA, and requirements…
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Is a township subject to any penalty or sanction if it fails to comply with the Public Act 152 of 2011, but does not receive Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP) payments?
Act 152 of 2011 expressly limits public employer payments of annual healthcare premium costs for its employees. The Act strictly limits the amount townships may contribute to total annual health care premiums, based either on a “hard cap” or what’s known as the “80/20” plan. Townships, however, may choose to exempt themselves from the Act’s…
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Can township trustees attend township meetings by phone or teleconference?
Yes. Although the Attorney General ruled in 1977 that telephone conferences could not meet Open Meetings Act requirements, the Court of Appeals disagreed in a later case. In Goode v Dept of Soc Services, 143 Mich App 756, 759-60; 373 NW2d 210 (1985), the Court said: “We find no problem with the holding of hearings…
