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.

Authorizing Statute:
Township Planning Act, Public Act 168 of 1959, MCL 125.321, et seq.

Sample Planning Commission Bylaws (Word file)

Master Plans

Authorities and Responsibilities:

Shall make and adopt a basic plan as a guide for the development of the unincorporated portions of the township.

Shall approve/deny construction, location and character of streets, squares, parks or other public ways, grounds or open space, or public buildings and structures.

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.

Established By:
The township board of any township may create, by resolution, a township planning commission with power to make, adopt, extend, add to or otherwise amend, and to carry out plans for the unincorporated portions of the township as provided in this act.

The resolution creating a planning commission shall become effective 60 days after publication in a newspaper having general circulation in a township, subject to petition for referendum signed by a number of qualified and registered voters residing in the unincorporated portion of the township equal to not less than 8% of the total vote cast for all candidates for governor, at the last preceding general election at which a governor was elected

Membership:
Not less than 5 nor more than 9 members, who shall be representative of major interests as they exist in the township, such as agriculture, recreation, education, public health, government, commerce, transportation and industry. All members shall be qualified electors of the township.* One member of the township board shall be a member of the planning commission.

All members of the planning commission shall be appointed by the township supervisor with the approval of the township board, for a term of 3 years.

Compensation to Members:
Members of the planning commission may be compensated for their services as provided by the township board.

OMA/FOIA Status:
Public body subject to Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act.

*The Act also states that planning commission members must be property owners. However, a Michigan Attorney General Opinion has ruled that such a requirement violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution.