Planning Commission

Meetings

• To meet compliance with Michigan State Statute PA 110 of 2006, as amended (aka the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act – MCL 125.3307), and PA 33 of 2008, as amended (aka the Michigan Planning Enabling Act – MCL 125.3839), all townships within the county are required to submit for review all actions taken by the local township Planning Commission regarding proposed zoning ordinance text amendments, proposed zoning map changes, proposed master plan revisions or updates and master plan map changes by the required dates listed in the table below entitled: “Meeting Information“, for review and recommendation by Livingston County Planning Department Staff and the Livingston County Planning Commission. This required 30-day review process must take place prior to the local Township Board of Trustees making any final decision on such proposals.
• Beginning May 2025, all Planning Commission meetings will be held solely in-person.
• Members of the public that wish to make public comment must be physically in attendance at the scheduled meeting.
• Public comments are accepted via the Planning Department email listed on the main Planning Department website under “Email Us” (button located beneath the Planning Director picture – upper right side of page). When emailing the department, please include a subject line in the body of the email.
• No public comments will be taken online/virtually during Planning Commission meetings.
• Unless otherwise indicated, County Planning Commissioners and staff meet monthly in the County Board meeting chambers on the 2nd floor of the County Administration Building, 304 E. Grand River, Howell, MI at 6:30 p.m.

Planning Commission Public Meeting Rules of Order

Rules of “Call to Public”:

A. The public will be allowed to address the Planning Commission on any item NOT on the agenda during the initial “Call to the Public” (Agenda Item #6) for 90 seconds.

B. There will also be an opportunity for the public to speak regarding each agenda item. (Agenda Item #7).

This will take place once all the case details have been provided to the Planning Commission by Planning Staff and the Applicant, and before the final vote by the Planning Commission on the case.

C. During this time, the speaker will address the Planning Commission Chair only, not individual Commissioners, and not the public.

D. Speakers will refrain from the use of profanity as well as any attacks on and elected or appointed officials and any attendees

E. If there are several individuals that wish to speak on the same subject matter, for consideration of all attendees time and a reasonable allowance of time for all to adequately participate, the Planning Commission would request that these individuals appoint a spokesperson to speak on their behalf prior to the meeting.

F. Speakers will be limited to 90 seconds (with the exception of approved presentations). The Planning Commission Chair reserves the right to adjust this time limit if necessary.

G. Failure to comply with any of the above rules shall result in the speaker being ruled out-of-order and informed that their time is up.

Public conduct during a “Public Hearing”:

A. All speakers will address the Planning Commission Chair, not individual Commissioners, and not the audience.

B. Each speaker speaking in favor or opposing the matter will be allowed to speak once for 90 seconds.

C. If there are several individuals who would like to have one person be their spokesperson, the Planning Commission may at its discretion, allow the spokesperson additional time.

D. If there are several individuals that wish to speak on the same subject matter, for consideration of all attendees time and a reasonable allowance of time for all to adequately participate, the Planning Commission would request that these individuals appoint a spokesperson to speak on their behalf prior to the meeting.

E. All speakers must refrain from any verbal attacks on elected and appointed officials and any attendees, as well as against the applicant.

F. All speakers will refrain from the use of profanity.

G. Failure to comply with any of the above rules shall result in the speaker being ruled out-of-order and requested to sit down.

Planning Commission Members

Public Act 153 of 2024,  An Act that amends PA 33 of 2008 (aka as “The Michigan Planning Enabling Act”, or “MPEA”), requires members of a local planning commission to be representative of important segments of the community in accordance with the major interests existing in the local unit, such as agriculture, recreation, education, public health, government, transportation, industry, housing and commerce.

Citation: MCL 125.3807 et al

The Livingston County Planning Commission has long aligned and organized its membership to be compatible with the MPEA and also most recently, with the provisions of PA 153 of 2024, as indicated in the table below.

Meeting Information

Ordinance & By-Laws

The roles and responsibilities of the Planning Commission and its’ members are prescribed and directed by the County Planning Commission Ordinance and By-Laws, under the authority bestowed to it by the Michigan State Planning Enabling Act – MZEA (MCL 125.3801, et seq., Act 33 of 2008, as amended) and the Livingston County Board of Commissioners (Resolution No. 2013-03-079, March 4, 2013.)

• Planning Commission Ordinance (2013)
• Planning Commission By-Laws (2017)

Any questions or concerns should be directed to the Department of Planning office at (517) 546-7555.