Sec. 71.

(1) A planning commission may recommend to the legislative body provisions of an ordinance or rules governing the subdivision of land authorized under section 105 of the land division act, 1967 PA 288, MCL 560.105. If a township is subject to county zoning consistent with section 209 of the Michigan zoning enabling act, 2006 PA 110, MCL 125.3209, or a city or village is subject to county zoning pursuant to the Michigan zoning enabling act, 2006 PA 110, MCL 125.3101 to 125.3702, and a contract under the urban cooperation act of 1967, 1967 (Ex Sess) PA 7, MCL 124.501 to 124.512, or 1967 (Ex Sess) PA 8, MCL 124.531 to 124.536, the county planning commission may recommend to the legislative body of the municipality provisions of an ordinance or rules governing the subdivision of land authorized under section 105 of the land division act, 1967 PA 288, MCL 560.105. A planning commission may proceed under this subsection on its own initiative or upon request of the appropriate legislative body.

(2) Recommendations for a subdivision ordinance or rule may address plat design, including the proper arrangement of streets in relation to other existing or planned streets and to the master plan; adequate and convenient open spaces for traffic, utilities, access of firefighting apparatus, recreation, light, and air; and the avoidance of congestion of population, including minimum width and area of lots. The recommendations may also address the extent to which streets shall be graded and improved and to which water and sewer and other utility mains, piping, or other facilities shall be installed as a condition precedent to the approval of a plat.

(3) Before recommending an ordinance or rule described in subsection (1), the planning commission shall hold a public hearing on the proposed ordinance or rule. The planning commission shall give notice of the time and place of the public hearing not less than 15 days before the hearing by publication in a newspaper of general circulation within the local unit of government.

(4) If a municipality has adopted a master plan or master street plan, the planning commission of that municipality shall review and make recommendations on plats before action thereon by the legislative body under section 112 of the land division act, 1967 PA 288, MCL 560.112. If a township is subject to county zoning consistent with section 209 of the Michigan zoning enabling act, 2006 PA 110, MCL 125.3209, or a city or village is subject to county zoning pursuant to the Michigan zoning enabling act, 2006 PA 110, MCL 125.3101 to 125.3702, and a contract under the urban cooperation act of 1967, 1967 (Ex Sess) PA 7, MCL 124.501 to 124.512, or 1967 (Ex Sess) PA 8, MCL 124.531 to 124.536, and the municipality has adopted a master plan or master street plan, the county planning commission shall also review and make recommendations on plats before action thereon by the legislative body of the municipality under section 112 of the land division act, 1967 PA 288, MCL 560.112.

(5) A planning commission shall not take action on a proposed plat without affording an opportunity for a public hearing thereon. A plat submitted to the planning commission shall contain the name and address of the proprietor or other person to whom notice of a hearing shall be sent. Not less than 15 days before the date of the hearing, notice of the date, time, and place of the hearing shall be sent to that person at that address by mail and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the municipality. Similar notice shall be mailed to the owners of land immediately adjoining the proposed platted land.

(6) A planning commission shall recommend approval, approval with conditions, or disapproval of a plat within 63 days after the plat is submitted to the planning commission. If applicable standards under the land division act, 1967 PA 288, MCL 560.101 to 560.293, and an ordinance or published rules governing the subdivision of land authorized under section 105 of that act, MCL 560.105, are met, the planning commission shall recommend approval of the plat. If the planning commission fails to act within the required period, the plat shall be considered to have been recommended for approval, and a certificate to that effect shall be issued by the planning commission upon request of the proprietor. However, the proprietor may waive this requirement and consent to an extension of the 63-day period. The grounds for any recommendation of disapproval of a plat shall be stated upon the records of the planning commission.

(7) A plat approved by a municipality and recorded under section 172 of the land division act, 1967 PA 288, MCL 560.172, shall be considered to be an amendment to the master plan and a part thereof. Approval of a plat by a municipality does not constitute or effect an acceptance by the public of any street or other open space shown upon the plat.

History: 2008, Act 33, Eff. Sept. 1, 2008