Planning & Zoning - Pennfield Charter Township

Most local governments establish planning commissions to oversee the development (or updating) of the master plan and later, the zoning ordinance. Once established, the planning commission conducts public hearings and advises the township board on planning and zoning issues. The township board may designate the powers of a zoning board to a planning commission, including making recommendations as to a zoning plan, districts and ordinance, and, per the township's ordinance, approving special land uses, planned unit developments and site plans.

The Planning Commission is etablished by township board resolution. Members must be qualified electors of the township. (Property ownership requirement ruled unconstitutional by Attorney General.) Members shall be representative of major interests as they exist in the township, such as agriculture, recreation, education, public health, government, commerce, transportation, and industry. The Planning Commission has the authority to make and adopt a basic plan as a guide for the development of the unincorporated portions of the township. It shall approve/deny construction, location and character of streets, squares, parks or other public ways, grounds or open space, or public buildings or structures.

Township boards are required to appoint a zoning board of appeals (ZBA) to act on all questions that arise in administering the zoning ordinance, including reviewing decisions made by the official or body charged with enforcing the ordinance.

The ZBA must include a township zoning board or planning commission member. The remaining members must be township residents who are registered voters and who reside outside of incorporated cities and villages, and represent the population distribution and various interests present in the township. One member may be a member of township board, but an elected township official cannot serve as chairperson of the ZBA. Employees or contractors of the township board may not serve on the ZBA.