Zoning & Land Use
From Annexation to Zoning and everything in between, Foster Swift attorneys have the knowledge and experience to effectively and efficiently advise clients in community, administrative and courtroom settings to achieve a successful outcome. Through the years, municipalities and individuals have retained Foster Swift to provide counsel on a wide array of zoning and land use matters, including:
- Drafting and review of master plans, zoning ordinances and amendments, wetlands regulations; growth management measures; land division ordinances; subdivision regulations; and site condominium ordinances.
- Providing counsel regarding compliance with all local, state, and federal laws and regulations applicable to municipalities.
- Overseeing board, planning and ZBA meetings including counsel on Open Meetings and Freedom of Information Act issues.
- Addressing annexation, condemnation and eminent domain matters.
We also work closely with our clients to review specific proposed land developments, especially where the possibility of litigation is more likely. We have extensive experience in the litigation of land use disputes at both the trial and appellate court levels, many of which have been published.
Representative Experience
Publications & Alerts
- Hidden Risks In Land Contracts, Foster Swift Agricultural Law Update, January 2012
- Michigan Legislature Reinstates “Very Serious Consequences” Rule for Mining Operations, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, August 2011
- New Test To Gauge Validity of Zoning Ordinance or Decision Relating To Mineral Extraction - “No Very Serious Consequences” Test Is Eliminated In Place of “Reasonable” Test, Foster Swift Municipal Law News: MTA Edition, January 2011
- Noteworthy 2010 Municipal Court Decisions - A Quick Summary, Foster Swift Municipal Law News: MTA Edition, January 2011
- Zoning Ordinance Must List Uses Eligible for Special Use Permit Specifically – Listing Merely Categories of Uses Such as “Commercial” Uses Is Not Sufficient, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, July 2010
- Supreme Court Holds that Affirmative Defense in MCL 691.1402a(2) Only Applies to Sidewalks Adjacent to County Highways, Foster Swift Municipal Law News, May 2010
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Events