September 20, 2006, Introduced by Reps. Kolb and Tobocman and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use, and Environment.
A bill to amend 1945 PA 281, entitled
"An act to provide for regional planning; the creation,
organization, powers and duties of regional planning commissions;
the provision of funds for the use of regional planning
commissions; and the supervision of the activities of regional
planning commissions under the provisions of this act,"
by amending the title and section 1 (MCL 125.11) and by adding
section 26.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
TITLE
An act to provide for regional planning; to provide for the
creation, organization, powers and duties of regional planning
commissions and a state office of planning and zoning
support; the
provision
of to provide for funds for the use of regional planning
commissions; and to provide for the supervision of the activities
of
regional planning commissions. under the provisions of this
act.
Sec.
1. For the purpose of this act certain terms are
defined
as
provided in this section. Wherever appropriate the singular
includes
the plural and the plural includes the singular. The terms
"local
As used in this act:
(a) "Department" means the department of environmental
quality.
(b)
"Local governmental units" or
"local units" shall include
includes cities, villages, other incorporated political
subdivisions, counties, school districts, special authorities,
townships, or any legally constituted governing body responsible
for the exercise of governmental functions within a political
subdivision of the state.
(c) "Office of planning and zoning support" or "PZS" means the
office of planning and zoning support created in section 26.
Sec. 26. (1) The office of planning and zoning support is
created in the department.
(2) The office of planning and zoning support shall do all of
the following:
(a) Provide support, resources, and guidance to the public,
including local governmental units, citizens, developers, and other
interested parties, on land use, zoning, and planning in an
accessible and central forum.
(b) Serve as an information clearinghouse and coordinate with
other state and national agencies engaged in zoning and planning
activities in providing educational materials, training
opportunities, seminars, and other supports.
(c) Maintain a website within the department's website with
information, links, and other relevant materials pertinent to PZS's
mission.
(d) Interact with national, state, and local officials to
educate about the need for and advocate for grants and funding to
support PZS's mission.
(3) To the extent feasible, materials provided to the public
by PZS in the performance of its duties shall be provided free or
at cost.