February 2001

By James Lawlor

Michigan: Coordinated planning. The chapter will be pushing for enactment of the Coordinated Planning Act this year, says chapter president Richard Carlisle, AICP. H.B. 6124 and its companion bills represent a major overhaul of Michigan planning laws, he reports.

In a summary of the proposed legislation, the chapter's planning law committee notes that the state's existing planning laws, which date back to 1931, do not address current planning problems. Presently, localities operate under four distinct enabling acts, for cities, villages, townships, and counties. The act would create a unified law applicable to all local governments. It would establish a process and incentives for cooperative and coordinated planning while preserving local self-determination on land-use planning decisions.

The act would allow adjoining municipalities and counties to establish joint planning commissions. It also would offer state grants for localities to develop and maintain plans, and it would provide funding for infrastructure improvements.

The act sets out the required elements of the 20-year future land-use plan, as well as the required and optional provisions of comprehensive plans and growth management plans. It specifies that currently adopted zoning maps and ordinances cannot constitute a plan. Also under the act, planning commissioners would be empowered to propose and administer subdivision regulations and condominium projects. Once a project received preliminary approval from the locality's governing body, it would be considered an amendment or addition to the comprehensive plan.

Florida: Growth Report. The report of the Growth Management Study Commission appointed last July by Gov. Jeb Bush was expected to be a major topic of discussion at the chapter's annual legislative conference, scheduled for early February at the state capital in Tallahassee. The commission has been on a fast-track schedule since the December appointment of its chair, Mel Martinez, as secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

At an early stage, says executive director Marcia Elder, the chapter identified eight steps that should be taken to improve the growth management process. They are: Provide for a strong and meaningful state plan. Link the state plan to the state budget. Provide adequate funding for growth management. Maintain a strong state policy on growth management. Strengthen the role of regional planning councils. Equip local governments to play a larger role in growth management. Delegate certain state planning functions to lower echelons of government. Provide for a strong public role in decision making.

The commission's draft report, made available early in January, calls for "bold change in Florida." Among its specific recommendations:

Local government planning should advance the state's compelling interests in preserving natural resources, improving transportation, and preparing for disasters.

• Citizens should receive early notice of planning efforts and the costs involved.
• The Department of Community Affairs should have an expanded advisory and technical role in land-use issues of importance to the state. However, its regulatory role should be reduced.
• The development of regional impact designation should be replaced by a regional cooperation agreement.