Sec. 36104.

(1) An owner of land desiring a farmland development rights agreement may apply by filing an application with the local governing body having jurisdiction under this part. The owner shall apply on a form prescribed by the state land use agency. The application shall contain information reasonably necessary to properly classify the land as farmland. This information shall include a land survey or a legal description of the land and a map showing the significant natural features and all structures and physical improvements located on the land.

(2) Upon receipt of the application, the local governing body shall notify the county planning commission or the regional planning commission and the soil conservation district agency. If the county has jurisdiction, it shall also notify the township board of the township in which the land is situated.

(3) An agency or local governing body receiving notice has 30 days to review, comment, and make recommendations to the local governing body with which the application is filed. These reviewing agencies do not have an approval or rejection power over the application.

(4) After considering the comments and recommendations of the reviewing agencies and local governing bodies, the local governing body holding the application shall approve or reject the application within 45 days after the application is received, unless that period is extended by agreement of the parties involved. The local governing body's approval or rejection of the application shall be based upon, and consistent with, rules promulgated under section 36116.

(5) If an application for a farmland development rights agreement is approved by the local governing body having jurisdiction, the local governing body shall forward a copy, along with the comments and recommendations of the reviewing bodies, to the state land use agency. The application shall contain a statement from the assessing officer where the property is located specifying the current fair market value of the land and structures in compliance with the agricultural section of the Michigan state tax commission assessor manual. If action is not taken by the local governing body within the time prescribed or agreed upon, the applicant may proceed as provided in subsection (6) as if the application was rejected.

(6) If the application for a farmland development rights agreement is rejected by the local governing body, the local governing body shall return the application to the applicant with a written statement regarding the reasons for rejection. Within 30 days after receipt of the rejected application, the applicant may appeal the rejection by submitting the application to the state land use agency.

(7) The state land use agency, within 60 days after a farmland development rights agreement application is received under subsection (5) or (6), shall approve or reject the application. The state land use agency may reject an application for a farmland development rights agreement that has been approved by a local governing body only if the proposed agreement would be inconsistent with section 36101(f). If the application is approved by the state land use agency, the state land use agency shall prepare a farmland development rights agreement that includes all of the following provisions:

(a) A structure shall not be built on the land except for use consistent with farm operations, which includes a residence for an individual essential to the operation of the farm under section 36111(2)(b), or lines for utility transmission or distribution purposes or with the approval of the local governing body and the state land use agency.

(b) Land improvements shall not be made except for use consistent with farm operations or with the approval of the local governing body and the state land use agency.

(c) Any interest in the land shall not be sold except a scenic, access, or utility easement that does not substantially hinder farm operations.

(d) Public access is not permitted on the land unless agreed to by the owner.

(e) Any other condition and restriction on the land as agreed to by the parties that is considered necessary to preserve the land or appropriate portions of it as farmland.

(8) Upon approval of an application by the state, the state land use agency shall execute the farmland development rights agreement on behalf of the state and shall forward the agreement to the applicant for execution. After the applicant executes the farmland development rights agreement, the applicant shall have the executed farmland development rights agreement recorded by the register of deeds in the county in which the property is located. The applicant shall provide a copy of the recorded farmland development rights agreement to the state land use agency.

(9) The state land use agency shall annually provide a listing of current farmland development rights agreements to county equalization offices where the land is located and to the approving local governing body.

(10) An application that is approved by the local governing body by November 1 shall take effect for the current tax year.

(11) If an application for a farmland development rights agreement is rejected by the state land use agency, the state land use agency shall notify the affected local governing body, all reviewing agencies concerned, and the applicant with a written statement containing the reasons for rejection. An applicant receiving a rejection from the state land use agency may appeal the rejection pursuant to the administrative procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328.

(12) An applicant may reapply for a farmland development rights agreement following a 1-year waiting period.

(13) The value of the jointly owned development rights as expressed in a farmland development rights agreement is not exempt from ad valorem taxation and shall be assessed to the owner of the land as part of the value of that land.

History: Add. 1995, Act 59, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995 ;-- Am. 1996, Act 233, Imd. Eff. June 5, 1996 ;-- Am. 2016, Act 265, Eff. Sept. 26, 2016 Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: Farmland and Open SpacePopular Name: NREPA