HOUSE BILL No. 5032

 

July 18, 2007, Introduced by Reps. Byrum, Simpson, Miller, LeBlanc, Hood, Virgil Smith, Polidori, Brown and Pastor and referred to the Committee on Intergovernmental, Urban and Regional Affairs.

 

     A bill to amend 2006 PA 110, entitled

 

"Michigan zoning enabling act,"

 

by amending sections 102, 103, 202, 208, 301, 401, 601, 604, 606,

 

and 702 (MCL 125.3102, 125.3103, 125.3202, 125.3208, 125.3301,

 

125.3401, 125.3601, 125.3604, 125.3606, and 125.3702).

 

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:

 

     Sec. 102. As used in this act:

 

     (a) "Agricultural land" means substantially undeveloped land

 

devoted to the production of plants and animals useful to humans,

 

including, but not limited to, forage and sod crops, grains, feed

 

crops, field crops, dairy products, poultry and poultry products,

 

livestock, herbs, flowers, seeds, grasses, nursery stock, fruits,

 

vegetables, Christmas trees, and other similar uses and activities.

 

     (b) "Airport" means an airport licensed by the Michigan

 

department of transportation, bureau of aeronautics under section


 

86 of the aeronautics code of the state of Michigan, 1945 PA 327,

 

MCL 259.86.

 

     (c) "Airport approach plan" and "airport layout plan" mean a

 

plan, or an amendment to a plan, filed with the zoning commission

 

under section 151 of the aeronautics code of the state of Michigan,

 

1945 PA 327, MCL 259.151.

 

     (d) "Airport manager" means that term as defined in section 10

 

2 of the aeronautics code of the state of Michigan, 1945 PA 327,

 

MCL 259.10 259.2.

 

     (e) "Airport zoning regulations" means airport zoning

 

regulations under the airport zoning act, 1950 (Ex Sess) PA 23, MCL

 

259.431 to 259.465, for an airport hazard area that lies in whole

 

or part in the area affected by a zoning ordinance under this act.

 

     (f) "Conservation easement" means that term as defined in

 

section 2140 of the natural resources and environmental protection

 

act, 1994 PA 451, MCL 324.2140.

 

     (g) "Coordinating zoning committee" means a coordinating

 

zoning committee as described under section 307.

 

     (h) "Development rights" means the rights to develop land to

 

the maximum intensity of development authorized by law.

 

     (i) "Development rights ordinance" means an ordinance, which

 

may comprise part of a zoning ordinance, adopted under section 308

 

508.

 

     (j) "Family day-care home" and "group day-care home" mean

 

those terms as defined in section 1 of 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111,

 

and only apply to the bona fide private residence of the operator

 

of the family or group day-care home.


 

     (k) "Greenway" means a contiguous or linear open space,

 

including habitats, wildlife corridors, and trails, that links

 

parks, nature reserves, cultural features, or historic sites with

 

each other, for recreation and conservation purposes.

 

     (l) "Improvements" means those features and actions associated

 

with a project that are considered necessary by the body or

 

official granting zoning approval to protect natural resources or

 

the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of a local unit of

 

government and future users or inhabitants of the proposed project

 

or project area, including roadways, lighting, utilities,

 

sidewalks, screening, and drainage. Improvements do not include the

 

entire project that is the subject of zoning approval.

 

     (m) "Intensity of development" means the height, bulk, area,

 

density, setback, use, and other similar characteristics of

 

development.

 

     (n) "Legislative body" refers to means the county board of

 

commissioners of a county, the board of trustees of a township, or

 

the council of a city or village, or other similar duly elected

 

representative governing body of a county, township, city, or

 

village.

 

     (o) "Local unit of government" means a county, township, city,

 

or village.

 

     (p) "Other eligible land" means land that has a common

 

property line with agricultural land from which development rights

 

have been purchased and is not divided from that agricultural land

 

by a state or federal limited access highway.

 

     (q) "Person" means an individual, partnership, corporation,


 

association, governmental entity, or other legal entity.

 

     (r) (q) "Population" means the population according to the

 

most recent federal decennial census or according to a special

 

census conducted under section 7 of the Glenn Steil state revenue

 

sharing act of 1971, 1971 PA 140, MCL 141.907, whichever is the

 

more recent.

 

     (s) (r) "Site plan" includes the documents and drawings

 

required by the zoning ordinance to insure ensure that a proposed

 

land use or activity is in compliance with local ordinances and

 

state and federal statutes.

 

     (t) (s) "State licensed residential facility" means a

 

structure constructed for residential purposes that is licensed by

 

the state under the adult foster care facility licensing act, 1979

 

PA 218, MCL 400.701 to 400.737, or 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111 to

 

722.128, and provides residential services for 6 or fewer persons

 

individuals under 24-hour supervision or care.

 

     (u) (t) "Undeveloped state" means a natural state preserving

 

natural resources, natural features, scenic or wooded conditions,

 

agricultural use, open space, or a similar use or condition. Land

 

in an undeveloped state does not include a golf course but may

 

include a recreational trail, picnic area, children's play area,

 

greenway, or linear park. Land in an undeveloped state may be, but

 

is not required to be, dedicated to the use of the public.

 

     (u) "Zoning board" means a county zoning commission created

 

under the county zoning act, 1943 PA 185, MCL 125.201 to 125.240,

 

or a township zoning board created under the township zoning act,

 

1943 PA 184, MCL 125.271 to 125.310, that existed on the effective


 

date of this act.

 

     (v) "Zoning commission" means a zoning commission as described

 

under section 301.

 

     (w) "Zoning jurisdiction" refers to means the area encompassed

 

by the legal boundaries of a city or village or to the area

 

encompassed by the legal boundaries of a county or township outside

 

the limits of incorporated cities and villages. The zoning

 

jurisdiction of a county does not include the areas subject to

 

township zoning by a township that has adopted a township zoning

 

ordinance. under this act.

 

     Sec. 103. (1) Except as otherwise provided under this act, if

 

a local unit of government is required to provide notice and

 

conducts a public hearing under this act, the local unit of

 

government shall publish notice of the request in a newspaper of

 

general circulation in the local unit of government not less than

 

15 days before the date of the hearing.

 

     (2) Notice shall also be sent by mail or personal delivery

 

required under this act shall be given as provided under subsection

 

(3) to the owners of property for which approval is being

 

considered that is the subject of the request. Notice shall also be

 

sent given as provided under subsection (3) to all persons to whom

 

real property is assessed within 300 feet of the property that is

 

the subject of the request and to the occupants of all structures

 

within 300 feet of the subject property regardless of whether the

 

property or occupant structure is located in the zoning

 

jurisdiction. Notification need not be given to more than 1

 

occupant of a structure, except that if a structure contains more


 

than 1 dwelling unit or spatial area owned or leased by different

 

persons, 1 occupant of each unit or spatial area shall be given

 

notice. If a single structure contains more than 4 dwelling units

 

or other distinct spatial areas owned or leased by different

 

persons, notice may be given to the manager or owner of the

 

structure, who shall be requested to post the notice at the primary

 

entrance to the structure.

 

     (3) The notice shall under subsection (2) is considered to be

 

given when personally delivered or when deposited for delivery with

 

the United States postal service or other public or private

 

delivery service. The notice shall be given not less than 15 days

 

before the date the application request will be considered. for

 

approval. If the name of the occupant is not known, the term

 

"occupant" may be used in making notification under this subsection

 

for the intended recipient of the notice. The

 

     (4) A notice under this section shall do all of the following:

 

     (a) Describe the nature of the request.

 

     (b) Indicate the property that is the subject of the request.

 

The notice shall include a listing of all existing street addresses

 

within the property. Street addresses do not need to be created and

 

listed if no such addresses currently exist within the property. If

 

there are no street addresses, other means of identification may be

 

used.

 

     (c) State when and where the request will be considered.

 

     (d) Indicate when and where written comments will be received

 

concerning the request.

 

     Sec. 202. (1) The legislative body of a local unit of


 

government may provide by ordinance for the manner in which the

 

regulations and boundaries of districts or zones shall be

 

determined and enforced or amended, supplemented, or changed, or

 

otherwise amended. Amendments or supplements to the zoning

 

ordinance shall be made adopted in the same manner as provided

 

under this act for the enactment adoption of the original

 

ordinance.

 

     (2) If an individual property or 10 or fewer adjacent

 

properties are proposed for rezoning Except as provided in

 

subsection (3), the zoning commission shall give a notice of the a

 

proposed rezoning in the same manner as required under section 103.

 

     (3) If 11 or more For any group of adjacent properties are

 

numbering 11 or more that is proposed for rezoning, the zoning

 

commission shall give a notice of the proposed rezoning in the same

 

manner as required under section 103, except for the requirement of

 

section 103(2) and except that no individual addresses of

 

properties are required to be listed under section 103(3)(b) the

 

requirements of section 103(2) and the requirement of section

 

103(4)(b) that street addresses be listed do not apply to that

 

group of adjacent properties.

 

     (4) An amendment to a zoning ordinance by a city or village is

 

subject to a protest petition under section 403.

 

     (5) An amendment for the purpose of conforming to conform a

 

provision of the zoning ordinance to the decree of a court of

 

competent jurisdiction as to any specific lands may be adopted by

 

the legislative body and the notice of the adopted amendment

 

published without referring the amendment to any other board or


 

agency provided for under this act.

 

     Sec. 208. (1) If the use of a dwelling, building, or structure

 

or of the land is lawful at the time of enactment of a zoning

 

ordinance or an amendment to a zoning ordinance, then that exact

 

use may be continued although the use does not conform to the

 

provisions of the zoning ordinance or amendment.

 

     (2) The legislative body may provide in a A zoning ordinance

 

may provide for the completion, resumption, restoration,

 

reconstruction, extension, or substitution of nonconforming uses or

 

structures upon terms and conditions provided in the zoning

 

ordinance. In establishing terms for the completion, resumption,

 

restoration, reconstruction, extension, or substitution of

 

nonconforming uses or structures, The zoning ordinance may

 

establish different classes of nonconforming uses may be

 

established in the zoning ordinance with different requirements

 

applicable to each class.

 

     (3) The legislative body may acquire, by purchase,

 

condemnation, or otherwise, private property or an interest in

 

private property for the removal of nonconforming uses and

 

structures. The legislative body may provide that the cost and

 

expense of acquiring private property may be paid from general

 

funds or assessed to a special district in accordance with the

 

applicable statutory provisions relating to the creation and

 

operation of special assessment districts for public improvements

 

in local units of government. Property acquired under this

 

subsection by a city or village shall not be used for public

 

housing.


 

     (4) The elimination of the nonconforming uses and structures

 

in a zoning district is declared to be for a public purpose and for

 

a public use. The legislative body may institute proceedings for

 

condemnation of nonconforming uses and structures under 1911 PA

 

149, MCL 213.21 to 213.25.

 

     Sec. 301. (1) Each local unit of government in which the

 

legislative body exercises authority under this act shall create a

 

zoning commission . unless 1 of the following applies:

 

     (a) A zoning board in existence on the effective date of this

 

act may county zoning commission created under former 1943 PA 183,

 

a township zoning board created under former 1943 PA 184, or a city

 

or village zoning commission created under former 1921 PA 207 was

 

in existence in the local unit of government as of June 30, 2006.

 

Unless abolished by the legislative body, that existing board or

 

commission shall continue as and exercise the powers and perform

 

the duties of a zoning commission under this act, subject to a

 

transfer of power under subsection (2). or until 5 years from the

 

effective date of this act, whichever is earlier.

 

     (b) A planning commission exercising the authority of a zoning

 

board before the effective date of this act may was, as of June 30,

 

2006, in existence in the local unit of government and pursuant to

 

the applicable planning enabling act exercising the powers and

 

performing the duties of a county zoning commission created under

 

former 1943 PA 185, of a township zoning board created under former

 

1943 PA 184, or of a city or village zoning commission created

 

under former 1921 PA 207. Unless abolished by the legislative body,

 

that existing planning commission shall continue to and exercise


 

that authority subject to the powers and perform the duties of a

 

zoning commission under this act.

 

     (c) The local unit of government has created a planning

 

commission on or after July 1, 2006 and transferred the powers and

 

duties of a zoning commission to the planning commission pursuant

 

to the applicable planning enabling act.

 

     (2) Except as otherwise provided under this subsection, if the

 

legislative body has transferred the powers and duties of the

 

zoning commission have been transferred to the planning commission

 

as provided by law, the zoning planning commission shall be the

 

planning function as the zoning commission of the local unit of

 

government. The By July 1, 2011, the legislative body shall have 5

 

years from the effective date of this act to transfer the powers

 

and duties of the zoning commission to the planning commission.

 

Except as provided under this subsection, 5 years after the

 

effective date of this act beginning July 1, 2011, the a zoning

 

commission shall not have any authority commission's powers or

 

duties under this act or an ordinance adopted under this act shall

 

only be exercised or performed by a planning commission.

 

     (3) If a zoning commission is created on or after the

 

effective date of this act July 1, 2006, the zoning commission

 

shall be created by resolution and be composed of not fewer than 5

 

or more than 11 members appointed by the legislative body. Not less

 

fewer than 2 of the members of a county zoning commission shall be

 

recommended for membership by the legislative bodies of townships

 

that are, or shall will be, subject to the county zoning ordinance.

 

This requirement may be met as vacancies occur on a county zoning


 

commission that existed on the effective date of this act June 30,

 

2006.

 

     (4) The members of the a zoning commission shall be selected

 

upon the basis of the members' qualifications and fitness to serve

 

as members of a zoning commission.

 

     (5) The first zoning commission appointed under subsection (3)

 

shall be divided as nearly as possible into 3 equal groups, with

 

terms of each group as follows:

 

     (a) One group for 1 year.

 

     (b) One group for 2 years.

 

     (c) One group for 3 years.

 

     (6) Upon the expiration of the terms of the members first

 

appointed, successors shall be appointed in like the same manner

 

for terms of 3 years each. A member of the zoning commission shall

 

serve until a successor is appointed and has been qualified.

 

     (7) A vacancy on a zoning commission shall be filled in the

 

same manner as is provided under this section for the remainder of

 

the unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment.

 

     (8) An elected officer of the a local unit of government or an

 

employee of the legislative body shall not serve simultaneously as

 

a member or an employee of the zoning commission of that local unit

 

of government, except that 1 member of the zoning commission may be

 

a member of the legislative body may be a member of the zoning

 

commission.

 

     (9) The legislative body shall provide for the removal of a

 

member of the a zoning commission for misfeasance, malfeasance, or

 

nonfeasance in office upon written charges and after public


 

hearing.

 

     (10) The A zoning commission shall elect from its members a

 

chairperson, a secretary, and other officers or and establish such

 

committees it considers necessary and may engage any employees,

 

including for technical assistance, it requires. The election of

 

officers shall be held not less than once in every 2-year period.

 

     Sec. 401. (1) After receiving a zoning ordinance under section

 

308(1) or an amendment under section sections 202 and 308(1), the

 

legislative body may hold a public hearing if it considers it

 

necessary or as may if otherwise be required.

 

     (2) Notice of the a public hearing to be held by the

 

legislative body shall be given in the same manner as required

 

under section 103(1) for the initial adoption of a zoning ordinance

 

or section 202 for any other zoning text or map amendments.

 

     (3) The legislative body may refer any proposed amendments to

 

the zoning commission for consideration and comment within a time

 

specified by the legislative body.

 

     (4) The legislative body shall grant a hearing on a proposed

 

ordinance provision provide an opportunity to be heard before the

 

legislative body to a an interested property owner who requests a

 

hearing such an opportunity by certified mail, addressed to the

 

clerk of the legislative body.

 

     (5) After the public hearing held as allowed under this

 

section any proceedings under subsections (1) to (4), the

 

legislative body shall consider and vote upon the adoption of a

 

zoning ordinance, with or without amendments. A zoning ordinance

 

and any amendments shall be approved by a majority vote of the


 

members of the legislative body.

 

     (6) Except as otherwise provided under section 402, a zoning

 

ordinance shall take effect upon the expiration of 7 days after

 

publication as required by this section or at such later date after

 

publication as may be specified by the legislative body or charter.

 

     (7) Following adoption of a zoning ordinance and or any

 

subsequent amendments by the legislative body, the zoning ordinance

 

or subsequent amendments shall be filed with the clerk of the

 

legislative body, and a notice of ordinance adoption shall be

 

published in a newspaper of general circulation in the local unit

 

of government within 15 days after adoption.

 

     (8) A copy of the notice required under subsection (7) shall

 

be mailed to the airport manager of an airport entitled to notice

 

under section 306.

 

     (9) The notice required under this section shall include all

 

of the following information:

 

     (a) In the case of a newly adopted zoning ordinance, the

 

following statement: "A zoning ordinance regulating the development

 

and use of land has been adopted by the legislative body of the

 

[county, township, city, or village] of __________.".

 

     (b) In the case of an amendment to an existing zoning

 

ordinance, either a summary of the regulatory effect of the

 

amendment, including the geographic area affected, or the text of

 

the amendment.

 

     (c) The effective date of the ordinance or amendment.

 

     (d) The place where and time when a copy of the ordinance or

 

amendment may be purchased or inspected.


 

     (10) The filing and publication requirements under this

 

section supersede any other statutory or charter requirements

 

relating to the filing and publication of county, township, city,

 

or village ordinances.

 

     Sec. 601. (1) In each local unit of government in which the

 

legislative body exercises the authority conferred by this act, the

 

legislative body shall appoint a zoning board of appeals by

 

majority vote of the members of the legislative body serving. A

 

zoning board of appeals in existence on the effective date of this

 

act June 30, 2006 may continue to act as the zoning board of

 

appeals subject to this act.

 

     (2) The legislative body of a city or village may act as a

 

zoning board of appeals and may establish rules to govern its

 

procedure as a zoning board of appeals.

 

     (3) In appointing a A zoning board of appeals , membership of

 

that board shall be composed of not fewer than 5 members if the

 

local unit of government has a population of 5,000 or more and or

 

not fewer than 3 members if the local unit of government has a

 

population of less than 5,000. The number of members of the zoning

 

board of appeals shall be specified in the zoning ordinance.

 

     (4) One In a county or township, 1 of the regular members of

 

the zoning board of appeals shall be a member of the zoning

 

commission, or of the planning commission if the duties and

 

responsibilities of the zoning commission have been transferred to

 

the planning commission is functioning as the zoning commission. In

 

a city or village, 1 of the regular members of the zoning board of

 

appeals may be a member of the zoning commission, or of the


 

planning commission if the planning commission is functioning as

 

the zoning commission, unless the legislative body acts as the

 

zoning board of appeals under subsection (2). A decision made by a

 

city or village zoning board of appeals before the effective date

 

of the 2007 amendatory act that amended this section is not

 

invalidated by the failure of the zoning board of appeals to

 

include a member of the city or village zoning commission or

 

planning commission, as was required by this subsection before that

 

amendatory act took effect.

 

     (5) (4) The remaining regular members of a zoning board of

 

appeals, and any alternate members under subsection (7), shall be

 

selected from the electors of the local unit of government residing

 

within the zoning jurisdiction of that local unit of government or,

 

in the case of a county, residing within the county but outside of

 

any city or village. The members selected shall be representative

 

of the population distribution and of the various interests present

 

in the local unit of government.

 

     (6) (5) One Subject to subsection (2), 1 regular member of a

 

zoning board of appeals may be a member of the legislative body.

 

but Such a member shall not serve as chairperson of the zoning

 

board of appeals. An employee or contractor of the legislative body

 

may not serve as a member of the zoning board of appeals.

 

     (7) (6) The legislative body may appoint to the zoning board

 

of appeals not more than 2 alternate members for the same term as

 

regular members. to the zoning board of appeals. An alternate

 

member may be called as specified in the zoning ordinance to serve

 

as a member of the zoning board of appeals in the absence of a


 

regular member if the regular member will be unable to attend 1 or

 

more meetings. An alternate member may also be called to serve as a

 

member for the purpose of reaching a decision on a case in which

 

the member has abstained for reasons of conflict of interest. The

 

alternate member appointed shall serve in the case until a final

 

decision is made. The An alternate member serving on the zoning

 

board of appeals has the same voting rights as a regular member. of

 

the zoning board of appeals.

 

     (8) (7) A member of the zoning board of appeals may be paid a

 

reasonable per diem and reimbursed for expenses actually incurred

 

in the discharge of his or her duties.

 

     (9) (8) A member of the zoning board of appeals may be removed

 

by the legislative body for misfeasance, malfeasance, or

 

nonfeasance in office upon written charges and after a public

 

hearing. A member shall disqualify himself or herself from a vote

 

in which the member has a conflict of interest. Failure of a member

 

to disqualify himself or herself from a vote in which the member

 

has a conflict of interest constitutes malfeasance in office.

 

     (10) (9) The terms of office for members appointed to the

 

zoning board of appeals shall be for 3 years and until a successor

 

has been appointed and qualified, except for members serving

 

because of their membership on the zoning commission or legislative

 

body, whose terms shall be limited to the time they are members of

 

those bodies. When members are first appointed, the appointments

 

may be for less than 3 years to provide for staggered terms. A

 

successor shall be appointed not more than 1 month after the term

 

of the preceding member has expired.


 

     (11) Vacancies for unexpired terms A vacancy on the zoning

 

board of appeals shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired

 

term in the same manner as the original appointment.

 

     (12) (10) A zoning board of appeals shall not conduct business

 

unless a majority of the regular members of the zoning board of

 

appeals are present.

 

     (13) A member of a zoning board of appeals who is also a

 

member of a zoning commission or planning commission shall not

 

participate in a public hearing on or vote on the same matter that

 

the member voted on as a member of the zoning commission or

 

planning commission. However, the member may consider and vote on

 

other unrelated matters involving the same property.

 

     Sec. 604. (1) An appeal to the zoning board of appeals may be

 

taken by a person aggrieved or by an officer, department, board, or

 

bureau of the this state or the local unit of government. In

 

addition, a variance in the zoning ordinance may be applied for and

 

granted under section 4 of the uniform condemnation procedures act,

 

1980 PA 87, MCL 213.54, and as provided under this act. The zoning

 

board of appeals shall state the grounds of any determination made

 

by the board.

 

     (2) An appeal under this section shall be taken within such

 

time as shall be prescribed by the zoning board of appeals by

 

general rule, by the filing with the body or officer from whom the

 

appeal is taken and with the zoning board of appeals of a notice of

 

appeal specifying the grounds for the appeal. The body or officer

 

from whom the appeal is taken shall immediately transmit to the

 

zoning board of appeals all of the papers constituting the record


 

upon which the action appealed from was taken.

 

     (3) An appeal to the zoning board of appeals stays all

 

proceedings in furtherance of the action appealed. from unless

 

However, if the body or officer from whom the appeal is taken

 

certifies to the zoning board of appeals after the notice of appeal

 

is filed that, by reason of facts stated in the certificate, a stay

 

would in the opinion of the body or officer cause imminent peril to

 

life or property, in which case proceedings may be stayed only by a

 

restraining order issued by the zoning board of appeals or a

 

circuit court.

 

     (4) Following receipt of a written request concerning a

 

request for a variance, the zoning board of appeals shall fix a

 

reasonable time for the hearing of the request and give notice as

 

provided in section 103.

 

     (5) Upon receipt of If the zoning board of appeals receives a

 

written request seeking an interpretation of the zoning ordinance

 

or an appeal of an administrative decision, a notice stating the

 

time, date, and place of the public hearing shall be published in a

 

newspaper of general circulation within the township and shall be

 

sent to the person requesting the interpretation not less than 15

 

days before the public hearing. In addition, if the request for an

 

interpretation or appeal of an administrative decision involves a

 

specific parcel, written notice stating the nature of the

 

interpretation request and the time, date, and place of the public

 

hearing on the interpretation request shall be sent by first-class

 

mail or personal delivery to all persons to whom real property is

 

assessed within 300 feet of the boundary of the property in


 

question and to the occupants of all structures within 300 feet of

 

the boundary of the property in question. If a tenant's name is not

 

known, the term "occupant" may be used. the zoning board of appeals

 

shall conduct a public hearing on the request. Notice shall be

 

given as required under section 103. However, if the request does

 

not involve a specific parcel of property, notice need only be

 

published as provided in section 103(1) and given to the person

 

making the request as provided in section 103(3).

 

     (6) At the a hearing under subsection (5), a party may appear

 

in person personally or by agent or attorney. The zoning board of

 

appeals may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or modify the

 

order, requirement, decision, or determination and may issue or

 

direct the issuance of a permit.

 

     (7) If there are practical difficulties for nonuse variances

 

as provided in subsection (8) or unnecessary hardship for use

 

variances as provided in subsection (9) in the way of carrying out

 

the strict letter of the zoning ordinance, the zoning board of

 

appeals may grant a variance in accordance with this section, so

 

that the spirit of the zoning ordinance is observed, public safety

 

secured, and substantial justice done. The ordinance shall

 

establish procedures for the review and standards for approval of

 

all types of variances. The zoning board of appeals may impose

 

conditions as is otherwise allowed under this act.

 

     (8) The zoning board of appeals of all local units of

 

government shall have the authority to may grant nonuse variances

 

relating to the construction, structural changes, or alteration of

 

buildings or structures related to dimensional requirements of the


 

zoning ordinance or to any other nonuse-related standard in the

 

ordinance.

 

     (9) The authority to grant variances from uses of land is

 

limited to the following:

 

     (a) Cities and villages.

 

     (b) Townships and counties that as of February 15, 2006 had an

 

ordinance that uses the phrase "use variance" or "variances from

 

uses of land" to expressly authorize the granting of use variances

 

by the zoning board of appeals.

 

     (c) Townships and counties that granted a use variance before

 

February 15, 2006.

 

     (10) The authority granted under subsection (9) is subject to

 

the zoning ordinance of the local unit of government otherwise

 

being in compliance with subsection (7) and having an ordinance

 

provision that requires a vote of 2/3 of the members of the zoning

 

board of appeals to approve a use variance.

 

     (11) The authority to grant use variances under subsection (9)

 

is permissive, and this section shall not be construed to does not

 

require a local unit of government to adopt ordinance provisions to

 

allow for the granting of use variances.

 

     Sec. 606. (1) Any party aggrieved by a decision of the zoning

 

board of appeals may appeal to the circuit court for the county in

 

which the property is located. The circuit court shall review the

 

record and decision to ensure that the decision meets all of the

 

following requirements:

 

     (a) Complies with the constitution and laws of the state.

 

     (b) Is based upon proper procedure.


 

     (c) Is supported by competent, material, and substantial

 

evidence on the record.

 

     (d) Represents the reasonable exercise of discretion granted

 

by law to the zoning board of appeals.

 

     (2) If the court finds the record inadequate to make the

 

review required by this section or finds that additional material

 

evidence exists that with good reason was not presented, the court

 

shall order further proceedings on conditions that the court

 

considers proper. The zoning board of appeals may modify its

 

findings and decision as a result of the new proceedings or may

 

affirm the original decision. The supplementary record and decision

 

shall be filed with the court. The court may affirm, reverse, or

 

modify the decision.

 

     (3) An appeal under this section from a decision of a county

 

or township zoning board of appeals shall be filed within 30 days

 

after the zoning board of appeals certifies issues its decision in

 

writing signed by the chairperson, if there is a chairperson, or

 

signed by the members of the zoning board of appeals, if there is

 

no chairperson, or approves the minutes of its decision, whichever

 

occurs first. The court shall have jurisdiction to may make such

 

further other orders as justice may require requires. An appeal may

 

be had from the decision of any circuit court to the court of

 

appeals. An appeal from a decision of a city or village zoning

 

board of appeals shall be filed within 21 days after the zoning

 

board of appeals approves the minutes of its decision. The court

 

may affirm, reverse, or modify the decision of the zoning board of

 

appeals.


 

     Sec. 702. (1) The following acts and parts of acts are

 

repealed:

 

     (a) The city and village zoning act, 1921 PA 207, MCL 125.581

 

to 125.600.

 

     (b) The county zoning act, 1943 PA 183, MCL 125.201 to

 

125.240.

 

     (c) The township zoning act, 1943 PA 184, MCL 125.271 to

 

125.310.

 

     (2) This section shall not be construed to does not alter,

 

limit, void, affect, or abate any pending litigation,

 

administrative proceeding, or appeal that existed on the effective

 

date of this act June 30, 2006 or any ordinance, order, permit, or

 

decision that was based on the acts repealed by this section under

 

subsection (1). The zoning ordinance need not be readopted but is

 

subject to the requirements of this act, including, but not limited

 

to, the amendment procedures set forth in this act.