January 23, 2007, Introduced by Reps. Meadows, Knollenberg, Bieda, Coulouris, Vagnozzi, Alma Smith, Condino and Leland and referred to the Committee on New Economy and Quality of Life.
A bill to identify commerce centers; to target state funding;
and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state agencies
and officials.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
"commerce center act".
Sec. 2. The legislature finds that it is in the public
interest to recognize certain communities as commerce centers
because of their urban and commercial character and that to improve
commercial growth and development in this state it is necessary to
provide these target areas with certain funding and assistance
programs.
Sec. 3. As used in this act:
(a) "Commerce center" means a city, village, or township that
meets all of the following conditions:
(i) Owns and operates a water and sewer system.
(ii) Allows for high-density and mixed use zoning.
(iii) Has an expedited permitting process.
(iv) Has a master plan that includes all of the following:
(A) A walkable streetscapes development plan.
(B) A transportation plan.
(C) An open space preservation plan.
(D) An economic development plan.
(E) An arts and cultural development plan.
(F) A technology infrastructure plan.
(G) A universal housing plan.
(b) "Department" means the department of labor and economic
growth.
Sec. 4. (1) The department shall annually identify each city,
village, or township that qualifies as a commerce center under this
act.
(2) The department shall make recommendations to the
legislature for funding and program development that will assist
commerce centers in encouraging commercial growth and development.
(3) The department shall report annually to the legislature
regarding the activities and success of each commerce center
located in this state.