Sec. 36112.

(1) An open space development rights easement pursuant to section 36105 shall be relinquished by the state at the expiration of the term of the easement unless renewed with the consent of the owner of the land. If the owner of the land has complied with the requirements of this part regarding open space development rights easements, the owner is entitled to automatic renewal of the agreement upon written request of the landowner.

(2) An open space development rights easement may be relinquished by the state prior to a termination date contained in the instrument as follows:

(a) At any time the state determines that the development of the land is in the public interest and in agreement with the owner of the land.

(b) The owner of the land may submit an application to the local governing body where the original application for an open space development rights easement was submitted requesting that the development rights easement be relinquished. The application shall be made on a form prescribed by the state land use agency. The request for relinquishment shall be processed and shall be subject to the provisions as provided in sections 36104 and 36105 for review and approval.

(3) If the request for relinquishment of the development rights easement is approved, the state land use agency shall prepare an instrument providing for the relinquishment of the open space development rights easement, subject to subsections (4), (5), (6), and (7), and shall record it with the register of deeds of the county in which the land is situated.

(4) At the time a development rights easement is to be relinquished pursuant to subsection (2)(b), the state land use agency shall cause to be prepared and recorded a lien against the property formerly subject to the development rights easement for the total amount of the ad valorem taxes not paid on the development rights during the period it was held by the state, if any. The lien shall provide that interest at the rate of 6% per annum compounded shall be added to the ad valorem taxes not paid from the time the exemption was received until it is paid.

(5) The lien shall become payable to the state by the owner of record at the time the land or any portion of it is sold by the owner of record, or if the land is converted to a use prohibited by the former open space development rights easement.

(6) Upon the termination of the open space development rights easement pursuant to subsection (2)(a), the development rights revert back to the owner without penalty or interest.

(7) Upon the natural termination of the open space development rights easement pursuant to subsection (1), the state land use agency shall cause to be prepared and recorded a lien against the property formerly subject to the open space development rights easement. The amount of the lien shall be the total amount of the last 7 years ad valorem taxes not paid on the development rights during the period it was held by the state, if any. The lien shall be without penalty or interest and shall be payable subject to subsection (5).

(8) A copy of the renewal or relinquishment of an open space development rights easement shall be sent to the local governing body's assessing office.

History: Add. 1995, Act 59, Imd. Eff. May 24, 1995 Popular Name: Act 451Popular Name: Farmland and Open SpacePopular Name: NREPA