Act No. 19

Public Acts of 2000

Approved by the Governor

March 7, 2000

Filed with the Secretary of State

March 8, 2000

EFFECTIVE DATE: March 8, 2000

STATE OF MICHIGAN

90TH LEGISLATURE

REGULAR SESSION OF 2000

Introduced by Senators Bullard and McManus

ENROLLED SENATE BILL No. 517

AN ACT to amend 1943 PA 184, entitled "An act to provide for the establishment in townships of zoning districts within which the proper use of land and natural resources may be encouraged or regulated by ordinance, and for which districts provisions may also be adopted designating the location of, the size of, the uses that may be made of, the minimum open spaces, sanitary, safety, and protective measures that shall be required for, and the maximum number of families that may be housed in dwellings, buildings, and structures, including tents and trailer coaches, that are erected or altered; to designate the use of certain state licensed residential facilities; to provide for a method for the adoption of ordinances and amendments to ordinances; to provide for emergency interim ordinances; to provide for the acquisition by purchase, condemnation, or otherwise of nonconforming property; to provide for the administering of ordinances adopted; to provide for conflicts with other acts, ordinances, or regulations; to provide sanctions for violations; to provide for the assessment, levy, and collection of taxes; to provide for the collection of fees for building permits; to provide for petitions, public hearings, and referenda; to provide for appeals; to authorize the purchase of development rights; to authorize the issuance of bonds and notes; to provide for special assessments; and to prescribe penalties and provide remedies," by amending section 20 (MCL 125.290).

The People of the State of Michigan enact:

Sec. 20. (1) The township board of appeals shall hear and decide questions that arise in the administration of the zoning ordinance, including the interpretation of the zoning maps, and may adopt rules to govern its procedures sitting as a board of appeals. It shall hear and decide appeals from and review any order, requirement, decision, or determination made by an administrative official or body charged with enforcement of an ordinance adopted pursuant to this act. It shall hear and decide matters referred to it or upon which it is required to pass under an ordinance adopted pursuant to this act. For special land use and planned unit development decisions, an appeal may be taken to the board of appeals only if provided for in the zoning ordinance.

(2) The concurring vote of a majority of the members of the township board of appeals is necessary to reverse an order, requirement, decision, or determination of the administrative official or body, or to decide in favor of the applicant any matter upon which the board is required to pass under the ordinance, or to grant a variance in the ordinance. An appeal may be taken by a person aggrieved or by an officer, department, board, or bureau of the township, county, or state. In addition, a variance in the ordinance may be applied for and granted pursuant to section 4 of the uniform condemnation procedures act, 1980 PA 87, MCL 213.54, and this act. The township zoning board of appeals shall state the grounds of each determination.

This act is ordered to take immediate effect.

Secretary of the Senate.

Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Approved

Governor.