Some township megaproject zoning changes would skip voter referenda

The proposal says township trustees’ zoning decisions involving megaproject property would take effect when adopted and skip the referendum process. This covers township trustees’ decisions about property involved in a megaproject. This applies to a decision to change zoning text or a map for property involved in a megaproject, as defined in another law. The decision would take effect upon adoption.

The text addresses the number of signatures needed for local petitions, but the printed figures conflict. The provisions concern county and township zoning referenda, limited home rule township initiatives and referenda, and municipal referenda. Several provisions print “thirty-five twenty per cent,” leaving the intended percentage unclear. The signature rules apply to petitions filed on or after the effective date of the relevant section; the bill does not state that date.

For some planned development zoning petitions, election officials would review signatures within 30 days, and filers could submit more if too few are valid. This applies to petitions about zoning amendments that establish or change planned-unit development regulations. If officials find too few valid signatures, they must promptly notify the filer. The filer may submit additional signatures within 10 days after notice. The 30-day review period starts when the petition is certified to the board of elections. The 10-day period starts when the filer is notified that too few signatures are valid.