RRC Online Resource Library
The Redevelopment Ready Communities program is committed to providing ongoing support and technical assistance to our engaged and certified communities as they seek to build strong planning and development processes that are efficient, predictable and transparent. RRC has compiled a number of guides to provide step-by-step guidance for addressing many of the best practice deliverables ranging from plan reviews to packaging your priority redevelopment sites. The team has also created a handful of templates which can be customized to fit your community.
Questions on any particular document should be directed to your community's RRC Planner. If you don't find what you're looking for here, we encourage you to contact your planner to talk further about your needs.
The RRC Webinar Series is an online learning opportunity available to any RRC community. These sessions focus on helping communities understand a particular RRC Best Practice and connects them with information/resources/examples of how to complete it. Webinars happen monthly. To see upcoming webinars, click here.
April 2019 - Public Engagement Strategies & Plans: Slide Deck
May 2019 - Technology in Local Government: Slide Deck
June 2019 - Training Strategies & Plans: Slide Deck
July 2019 - Creating a Guide to Development: Slide Deck
August 2019 - RRC, DDAs and Main Street Collaboration: Slide Deck
September 2019 - Housing Trends & Innovations: Slide Deck
January 2020 - Economic Development 101: Slide Deck | Recording (partial)
Feburary 2020 - Historic Preservation 101: Slide Deck | Recording Unavailable
June 2020 - Financing Mixed Use Development: Slide Deck | Recording
360 Community Development - The Owosso Story: In this short article from the Michigan Planner Magazine (October/November 2019), RRC Planner Christopher Germain, AICP and Michigan Main Street Specialist Leigh Young, AICP discuss how Owosso - a town of about 15,000 - has successfully leveraged RRC and MMS to foster a rebirth of its downtown. Great lessons for communities of any sizes to hear and bring home.
Best Practice 1 (Plans and Public Outreach) evaluates community planning and how a community’s redevelopment vision is embedded in the master plan, capital improvements plan, downtown plan and corridor plan. This practice also assesses how well a community identifies its stakeholders and engages them, not only during the master planning process, but on a continual basis.
Master Plan: Bay City
Bay City's master plan provides a vision for the future that emphasizes strategic commmunity investment in traditional neighborhood design, as well as the urban core areas, and mixed-use corridors that create the framwork for the city.
Population: 34,110 | Region 5
Master Plan: Cass City (Redevelopment Focus Areas)
The Village of Cass City adopted a new master plan in 2019 which includes a specific section on redevelopment focus areas called "Potential Intensity Change Areas" (PICAs). These include the downtown, industrial area and golkf course. The village provides an overview of each area, vision for reuse, and strategies for how to get there.
Population: 2,429 | Region 6
Master Plan: Ferndale
Completed in 2017, the City of Ferndale's Master Plan fully incorporates redevelopment principles and strategies. The plan underwent signficant public engagement and was completed as a partnership between the city and its consultants. The plan also includes a strong implementation section consisting of over 100 actions.
Population: 20,160 | Region 10 | RRC-Certified
Master Plan: Oak Park
Developed in-house, Oak Park's 2017 Master Plan is based heavily on the city's 2014 economic development strategy. The plan meets all RRC components and took roughly a year and half to develop in-house.
Population: 29,752 | Region 10 | RRC-certified
Master Plan: Plymouth
The implementation matrix of Plymouth's master plan is precisely what is called for by the RRC Best Practices. Each of the recommended actions / policy changes has an estimated time frame, responsible party and funding sources.
Population: 9,040 | Region 9
Master Plan: Quincy
This draft joint master plan includes the jurisdictions of both the Village of Quincy and Quincy Township.
Population: 1,604 | Region 8
Master Plan: Romulus
Informed by the "Envision Romulus" public engagement campaign, the master plan details specific redevelopment visions for key areas of the city. The plan describes the city's desire to develop the southern gateway as a major regional employment center and the Vining Road district as a shopping and entertainment area.
Population: 23,479 | Region 10
Master Plan: Vicksburg
Vicksburg’s master plan establishes goals, objectives and policy recommendations that will support the village in realizing its vision. The plan includes a thorough existing conditions section featuring demographic and socioeconomic profiles and inventories of existing land uses, parks, recreation facilities and natural features.
Population: 3,113 | Region 8
Master Plan: Ypsilanti
Ypsilanti's master plan includes redevelopment strategies for multiple areas of the city, reflects community desires by including issues beyond land use planning, incorporates data in a visual way to enhance understanding, provides significant detail regarding transportation and complete streets, and implementation matrices.
Population: 19,874 | Region 9 | RRC-Certified
Downtown Plan: Escanaba
Escanaba’s Downtown and TIF plan recommends dividing the city’s long downtown district into three distinct character zones, furthering the goal of a vibrant mixed use downtown and business district. Projects were prioritized at a joint meeting with various boards and commissions and the plan includs in a detailed implementation schedule that includes a project description, cost and estimated timeline.
Population: 12,468 | Region 1 | RRC-Certified
Downtown Plan: Harrison
The City of Harrison worked with its consultant in 2018 to create a new Downtown Developemnt Authority (DDA) Tax Increment Financing and Development Plan. Unlike most DDA TIF plans, Harrison's plan includes a signficant amount of public engagement and vision in a document which tends to be very legal-focused. The city found a strong balance that allowed it to meet best practice 1.1.2 with a single plan.
Population: 2,200 | Region 5
Downtown Plan: Highland Park
Highland Park's Downtown Strategic Plan does a fantastic job illustrating the plans for the future with colorful and detailed images. It also provides a remarkable amount of detail regarding greenways, pedestrian-friendly alleys and the re-use of buildings and vacant lots.
Population: 29,641 | Region: 3
Downtown Plan: Hudsonville
Hudsonville's downtown plan is incorporated into the master plan document and provides specific implementation strategies toward implementing the vision. Implementation of the plan is guided through the 2012-2041 TIF plan.
Population: 7,271 | Region: 4 | RRC-Certified
Downtown Plan: Lincoln Park
The strategic plan includes an assessment of downtown sites, a listing of community priorities, a report on the progress of ongoing projects, a detailed implementation matrix that outlines specific projects, responsible parties and estimated costs for the completion of projects.
Population: 37,155 | Region 10
Downtown Plan: Linden
The city of Linden uses two plans to guide its downtown efforts - a 2008 tax increment financing (TIF) plan and a 2014 Downtown Action Plan. Both plans together create a clear direction for the city's efforts to revitalize its downtown districxt and create a vibrant space for community events, private investment and to define the community's character as a welcoming small town.
Population: 3,868 | Region 6
Downtown Plan: Sparta
The viillage of Sparta is graphic, easy to read, makes connection between overall community goals and the specific improvements needed in order to accomplish them, including estimated cost.
Population: 4,309 | Region 4
Downtown Plan: Tecumseh
Tecumseh's downtown plan proactively addresses the street layout, parking, signage, street trees, seating and business entryways. The plan has graphics of concepts and is creative, user-friendly and well-thought-out. The downtown plan’s goals and action items are context specific to one of three downtown planning areas; and are therefore tailored to address specific challenges.
Population: 8,393 | Region: 9
Downtown Plan: Vicksburg
Vicksburg’s downtown plan is focused on placemaking, sustainability and enhancing the authentic character of the village. The plan meets the best practices by identifying development area boundaries, projects including estimated costs and timelines, mixed-use and pedestrian elements, coordinates with the master plan, and is available online.
Population: 3,113 | Region 8
Downtown Plan: Watervliet
The Watervliet Downtown Plan is graphic, easy to read, makes connection between overall community goals and the specific improvements needed in order to accomplish them, including estimated costs.
Population: 1,834 | Region: 8
Downtown Plan: Watervliet
Wyandotte's DDA Strategic Plan was a product of significant engagement from downtown stakeholders and provides an excellent framework and implementation plans that relate to the community's priorities for placemaking and economic development. Especially notable are the estimated long range costs of projects in the implementation plan which can relate well to future iterations of the CIP.
Population: 25,376 | Region: 10
Corridor Plan: Ann Arbor
Adopted in 2013, the South State Street Corridor project has developed a vision for the future of one of Ann Arbor’s main corridors, which has the potential to serve as a catalyst for economic development. The planning process engaged a variety of stakeholders and the plan includes site specific land use recommendations and identifies opportunities for transportation, land use, aesthetic and environmental improvements.
Population: 116,194 | Region 9
Corridor Plan: Grand Rapids
Each of Grand Rapids' Corridor TIF plans are accessible online and align with the goals outlined in sub-area plans within the master plan. Projects are oriented to pedestrians and mixed-use development.
Population: 192,416 | Region 4 | RRC-Certified
Corridor Plan: Oak Park
The city of Oak Park established a Corridor Improvement Authority in 2015, following a recommendation of their 2014 Economic Development Plan. The authority has authored a Tax-Incremental Finance (TIF) plan to support improvements along the corridor. Combined with another plan, "A New Nine Mile", completed in partnership with the Congress for New Urbanism, the city meets the requirement for a Corridor Plan in place of a downtown plan (the city does not have a traditional downtown).
Population: 29,752 | Region 10 | RRC-Certified
Corridor Plan: Traverse City
The traverse city corridors master plan is designed to prove the appereance, fuction and vitality of the City's Keys commerical corridors. The corridors Master Plan focus on restoring economic vitality by identifying opportunites for housing, commericial activity, and improvments to public infastructure, including both the vehicular and pedestrian networks.
Population: 14,674 | Region 2 | RRC-Certified
CIP: Coleman
Coleman's 6-year CIP meets all RRC requirements in a simple, easy to use document. The plan was completed in-house and is updated annually.
Population: 1,291 | Region 5
CIP: Croswell
Croswell's CIP was fully updated in 2017 to adopt best practices in CIP planning. The document was completed through a partnership between the city and their consultants.
Population: 2,578 | Region 6
CIP: Eastpointe (Presentation)
Eastpointe created a slide deck summarizing their data that went into creating their capital improvements plan. The practice of presenting a CIP overview internally or externally and the information in the slide deck aligns with RRC Best Practice 1.4 and could be useful for any community.
Population: 32,585 / Region:10 | RRC-Certified
CIP: Flint
The Imagine Flint 2017 Capital Improvements Plan provides a signficant level of detail on capital investments for the city, the value of CIPs in general and changes from year-to-year.
Population: 99,182 | Region 6
CIP: Grand Haven
Beginning on page 51 of the 221 page budget document, Grand Haven's capital improvements plan meets the RRC Best Practices, and goes an additional step by including a column noting what plan the project originated from.
Population: 15,757 | Region 4
CIP Process Guide: Hart
This Capital Improvement Planning Process Guide explains the purpose of a CIP, roles of city staff, explains the format of the CIP, and the annual process for developing the document.
Population: 2,188 | Region: 4
CIP: Ironwood
Ironwood uses the Plan-It capital improvements planning software to easily develop clear reports which can be modified from year to year, simplifying the process for small to mid-sized communities.
Population: 5,153 | Region 1
CIP: Negaunee
The City of Negaunee worked with the Central Upper Peninsula Planning and Development Region (CUPPAD) to create the city's first-ever CIP covering 2019-2024. The plan is heavy on public engagement and data-driven decisions to fund the city's many capital needs. Upates will occur each fall.
Population: 4,579 | Region 1
CIP: Newaygo
Newaygo's CIP details six years of planned projects for public structures and improvements, including sewer and water.
Population: 1,870 | Region: 4
CIP: Portage
Portage's 10-year capital improvement program document does an excellent job of profiling each project and including a justification for the project—based on the consideration of each project’s benefits and impact on operating funds.
Population: 48,072 | Region 8
CIP: Tecumseh
Tecumseh's CIP ensures projects are prioritized in an objective manner by outlining clear evaluation criteria which is based on plan goals. The CIP’s process is transparent and it clearly explains that projects are chosen and prioritized through deliberation between the Planning Commission and City Council.
Population: 8,393 / Region: 9
Public Participation Plan: Escanaba
Escanaba provides an extensive public participation plan that details methods of outreach, expectations, and goals for the future.
Population: 12,468 | Region 1 | RRC-Certified
Public Participation Plan: Grand Blanc
Grand Blanc adopted their public participation plan in 2018. The plan focuses on engagement in planning and development processes and incldues detailed descriptions of expected efforts to engage the public on high profile projects such as plan udpates or large developments. The plan also includes a section on the sale of city property in recognition of the numerous parcels owned by the city.
Population: 8,039 | Region 6
Public Participation Plan: Meridian Township
Meridian Township's community engagement plan provides extensive information about the township's engagement objectives, diverse means of communication, brand management, stakeholders, and more.
Population: 41,501 | Region 7
Public Participation Plan: Quincy
Quincy's Public Participation Plan covers all of the basics necessary to outline how the community engages the public, including goals, relevant state regulations, key stakeholders, a communication toolbox, outreach strategies, communicating results, and evaluation and improvement of the strategy.
Population: 1,647 | Region 8
Public Participation Plan: Sparta
The village of Sparta has developed a very robust public participation plan. The plan does a good job highlighing opporunities for community engagement and even provides a public participation matrix table to match outreach efforts with the type of project being worked on.
Population: 4,309 | Region 4
Public Participation Guidebook: Hart
The Hart Public Participation Guidebooks includes goals, requirements in law, key stakeholders including Hart Main Street, methods for engaging the spanish-speaking population, tools for basic and proactive public participation methods, a step-by-step guide for staff to determine the appropriate communicaiton method, and how results will be communicated.
Population: 2,188 | Region 4
Community Engagement Statement: Marshall
Marshall's community engagement statement incorporates both the RRC Best Practices, and those required of communities utilizing CDBG.
Population: 7,038 | Region 8 | RRC-Certified
Best Practice 2 (Zoning) evaluates a community’s zoning ordinance and how well it regulates for the goals of the master plan. In this section you'll find examples of various zoning ordinances which are strong in one or several areas. Please note that zoning ordinances are highly customized documents designed to fit each community. As such, these codes should be used for ideas and examples only. Any language adopted locally should undergo a rigorous review to ensure it fits the desires and language specific to that community.
Zoning codes are highly customized documents designed to advance each community’s vision. As such, this best practice focuses very heavily on providing options for communities to incorporate the zoning ordinance best practices. To assist with this, RRC has created a series of quicksheets to help communities understand those options and see how other RRC communities have addressed these best practices.
Because zoning codes are legal mechanisms which, by law, must be aligned with a community master plan, these zoning code examples should be used to generate ideas only. Any zoning code language adopted locally should undergo a rigorous review to ensure it addresses the community’s specific desires. To learn more about incremental zoning code revisions and related processes check out the RRC Users’ Guide to Zoning Reform.
Best Practice 2.1.1 - Master Plan & Zoning Code Consistency
Best Practice 2.1.2 - Concentrated Development in key areas
Best Practice 2.1.3 - Flexible Zoning Tools
Best Practice 2.1.4 - Housing Diversity
Best Practice 2.1.5 - Non-motorized Transportation
Best Practice 2.1.6 - Parking Flexibility
Best Practice 2.1.7 - Environmental Preservation and Green Infrastructure
Best Practice 2.1.8 - User-friendliness
Zoning Ordinance: Alpena
Alpena's zoning ordinance, last updated in 2010, integrates numerous user-friendly elements such as hyperlinked sections, color-coding, charts, and graphics. The ordinance was completed through a contract with the Northeast Council of Governments which serves region 3.
Population: 10,273 | Region 3 | RRC-Certified
Zoning Ordinance: Battle Creek
Battle Creek's zoning ordinance meets the RRC Best Practices, and recently incorporated revised regulations related to parking and landscaping, in order to provide greater parking flexibility and to encourage visually attractive development.
Population: 51,830 | Region: 8 | RRC-Certified
Zoning Ordinance: Dearborn (Site Review Process)
Dearborn explains the site plan review process in a clear uncomplicated manner.
Population: 96,069 | Region 10 | RRC-Certified
Zoning Ordinance: Highland Park (Parking)
Highland Park's off-street parking regulations include all nine flexible parking strategies outlined in the RRC best practices.
Population: 29,641 | Region 3
Zoning Ordinance: Milan (Form Based Code)
In 2012, two downtown form-based code districts (DFBC) were established in Milan. These code districts regulate the physical features of buildings, ensuring a project’s form and function are harmoniously integrated into the existing downtown area. These districts help Milan preserve its historic character, enhance its human-scale planning elements and attract businesses. The code also frees developers from many conventional requirements that can add to the final cost of projects.
Population: 5,929 | Region 9
Zoning Ordinance: Middleville
Middleville's zoning ordinance, with its recent updates, incorporates all of the RRC Best Practices, tailored to its specific small-community needs. This includes mixed-use by right, sidewalk cafes, overlay district to protect sensitive historic and river areas, building entry location, parking maximums, bicycle parking and use of non-invasive plant species.
Population: 3,304 | Region 4 | RRC-Certified
Zoning Ordinance: Paw Paw
Paw Paw's zoning ordinance meets the RRC Best Practices, and includes a form based codes overlay that incorporates building form, height, setback, lighting, signage and streetscape elements that encourage a pedestrian-scaled environment.
Population: 3,445 | Region 8
Zoning Ordinance: Plymouth
Just as advocated for in the master plan, the ordinance allows for outdoor cafes and incentivizes pedestrian amenities in the Central Business District (CBD) by offering parking reductions when public spaces are dedicated in the form of arcades, inner arcades, galleries or plazas.
Population: 9,005 | Region 10
Zoning Ordinance: Rogers City
Rogers City's zoning ordinance is very easy to read and the format is clean. The ordinance provides hyperlinks throughout the document and a use table giving a high level review of uses permitted. The oridnance also provides great graphics to clearly explain the permitted uses.
Population: 2,695 | Region 3
Zoning Ordinance: Saline (Form-based code)
Saline administers a form-based code in their Downtown area. These form-based regulations ensure a pedestrian-friendly physical environment with uniform facade lines, streetscape elements and easy building access from the sidewalks.
Population: 9,020 | Region 9
Zoning Ordinance: Tecumseh (Development Design Standards)
The Development Design Standards located in Tecumseh's zoning ordinance include both guidelines and standards that either encourage or require a range of building forms, setbacks, building materials and architectural styles.
Population:8,393 | Region 9
Zoning Ordinance: Three Oaks (Housing Diversity & Non Motorized Transportation)
Three Oaks' zoning code does a great job of permitting diverse housing types. In addition to permitting the commonly permitted housing types—single-family, two-family and multi-family dwelling units—the code expressly lists townhomes, accessory dwelling units and mixed-use dwelling units as allowable uses. The village also has a Conservation Development provision that allows for housing to be clustered in order to preserve sensitive lands and allow a different, more compact pattern of housing development. The ordinance also includes bicycle parking standards, has provisions for traffic calming, streetscape elements, sidewalk connectivity, maximum block lengths (500 ft) and crosswalks.
Population: 1,564 | Region 8
Zoning Ordinance: Wyoming
Wyoming's zoning ordiance is very easy to read and the format is clean. The oridnance provides hyperlinks throughout the document and a use table giving a high level review of uses permitted.
Population: 74,692 | Region 4
Best Practice 3 (Development Review) evaluates the community’s development review policies and procedures, project tracking and internal/external communication. Under this best practice you'll find examples of flow charts, tracking systems, Guides to Development and more.
Development Processes: Grand Haven
Grand Haven provides graphic and informative flowcharts for every step of the development review process.
Population: 15,757 | Region 4
Development Processes: Lansing
An excellent example of development process flowcharts. This tool is one component of the RRC Guide to Development. Lansing presents this information clearly, with expected timelines and relevant requirements for application submissions.
Population: 114,485 | Region 7 | RRC-Certified
Conceptual Review Meeting: Quincy
Quincy's zoning ordinance provides specific detail regarding the availability of sketch plan review.
Population: 1,647 | Region 8
Conceptual Review Meeting: Roseville
The city of Roseville includes numerous helpful items on their "Destination Roseville" development website. These procedures make expectations clear for the applicant regarding what should be prepared for the meeting and what type of feedback to expect.
Population: 47,529 | Region 10 | RRC-Certified
Conceptual Review Meetings: Example
This sample one pager document advertises the availability of conceptual review meetings, how to schedule one, identifies what an applicant should bring, and what will be covered. It can be customized to fit your community (Word Document).
Internal Review Internal Process: Marquette
The city of Marquette has developed a document to outline the internal site plan review process from intake to issuance of permit. This promotes general consistency and also shields against unpredictability in the case of staff turnover.
Population: 21,282 | Region 1
Internal Review Process - Millington
The Village of Millington documented its internal review process to ensure continuity of operations in the event of staff turnover. The document outlines key steps, timelines and roles.
Population: 1,072 | Region 6
Internal Review Process: Rochester Hills (Flow Chart)
Rochester Hills has developed a clear flowchart with estimated timelines for the city's development review process.
Population: 72,634 | Region 10
Internal Review internal Process: Swartz Creek
The city of Swartz Creek has created a clear, easy to follow document outlining its internal review process from beginning to end. This allows any staff person to step in and keep the process moving at a moments notice.
Population: 5,565 | Region 6 | RRC Certified
Site Plan Review Flow Charts: Swartz Creek
The city of Swartz Creek has created simple flowcharts to provide a quick overview of their various development review processes including timelines and helpful information for each step. The flowcharts are easily accessisble on their Community Development webpage.
Population: 5,565 | Region 6 | RRC Certified
Site Plan Review Flow Charts: Sparta
The village of sparta has created two flow charts, one includes the site plans review process and the other is the building permit process. The flowcharts include timelines, clear steps and offers preliminary meetings wih the village manager.
Population: 4,309 | Region 4
Site Review Application: North Branch
This review review process package includes all the information a developer or resident may need to know including a checklist of information to gather for the application, a flowchart of the process, commonly asked questions, an application and key sections of the ordinance. The city created this prior to engaging in RRC as a way to help reduce incomplete applications.
Population: 1,003 | Region 6
Site Review Application Checklist: Novi
A complete and easy-to-use checklist used by Novi city staff and the developer to ensure all items are included in the site review application package.
Population: 57,577 | Region 10
Site Plan Review Process Checklist: Meridian Township
The Development Review Checklist and Joint Team Review document is a helpful guide for all joint reviewers to ensure site plans are meeting standards.
Population: 41, 903 | Region 7 | RRC Certified
Project Tracker: Grand Rapids
The status of both planning and building permits can be tracked by the public via an online, interactive web portal that allows for quick search by address or through the map.
Population: 192,416 | Region: 4 | RRC-Certified
Project Tracker: Hudsonville
Hudsonville provides a tracking sheet that accompanies each project through the development review process.
Population: 7,271 | Region: 4 | RRC-Certified
Project Tracker: BS&A
BS&A's Planning, Zoning, & Engineering module is used by some RRC communities to track the progress of projects, from the application for site plan review through permit approvals and inspections. Communities using BS&A for Building and Assessing may elect to add on this supplemental tool to assist in the tracking of projects to better streamline their processes across all departments.
Project Tracker: Ypsilanti
This is simple, easy to use excel spreadsheet to track development projects through the review process as required for best practice 3.
Population: 19,874 | Region 9 | RRC-Certified
Project Tracker
This basic template can be customized to meet the needs of your community.
Building Permit Information: Lawrence
Lawrence utilizes State of Michigan inspectors for buildling, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits. The village provides full contact information for each of the inspectors on the village website, including a link to the State of Michigan permit application.
Population: 980 | Region 8
Feedback Survey: Albion
Albion's Site Plan Review Application includes a number of both yes/no and open-ended questions, giving the respondant ample means to provide feedback.
Population: 8,316 | Region 8
Feedback Survey: Battle Creek
Battle Creek's Customer Service Survey provides background/educational information for completing the survey, a simple rating system, and open-ended questions for receiving feedback.
Population: 51,830 | Region 8 | RRC-Certified
Feedback Survey: East Lansing
East Lansing provides a customer service survey to all applicants following the development review process. This survey provides basic yes/no checkboxes and allows for open ended responses from applicants to explain any details.
Population: 48,669 | Region 7
Feedback Survey: Mount Pleasant
The city of Mount Pleasant developed a feedbakc survey as part of their efforts toward RRC certification. The first year the survey saw a 37% response rate - quite good for any type of survey! The survey is short and allows for open ended responses at the end to gather any unaddressed concerns or ideas.
Population: 26,134 | Region 5
Post Development Letter: Howell
Howell uses a letter template written by the Mayor to request feedback and ensure concerns are addressed. This method adds a personal touch and ensures city leaders are aware of development-review challenges and opportunities.
Population: 9,514 | Region 9
Guide to Development: Albion
This Guide to Development has clickable links within it, provides information in a visually appealing format that is easily replicable, and provides a significant amount of information using concise language.
Population: 8,293 | Region 8
Guide to Development: Eastpointe (Website)
Eastpointe created a dedicated website, Eastpointe FYI, to post all planning and development materials and market redevelopment ready sites. The site is hosted as a GoogleSite and is clean, crisp and easy to navigate.
Population: 32,585 | Region 10 | RRC-Certified
Guide to Development: Laingsburg
The city of Laingsburg has long had a Guide to Development. After receving their Report of Findings, the city updated the document to include additional information and a more modern look. The project was completed by the city's consultant.
Population: 1,296 | Region 6
Guide to Development: Manistee (Website)
Manistee provides a Guide to Development website specifically geared toward developers and business owners.
Population: 6,136 | Region 2 | RRC-Certified
Guide to Development: Mount Pleasant
A complete Guide to Development. The document was developed in-house and is easily available on the city's community development webpage.
Population: 26,134 | Region 5
Guide to Development: Novi
A complete Guide to Development available online as a comprehensive document.
Population: 57,577 | Region 10
Best Practice 4 (Recruitment, Training and Communication) evaluates how a community conducts recruitment and orientation for newly appointed or elected officials and board members. It also evaluates the community's approach to training and communicaiton between key boards and staff. Here you'll find items ranging from board/commission applications and orientation packets to training tracking systems and examples of planning commission annual reports.
Appointment Process: Mount Pleasant
The city of Mount Pleasant has a clearly posted and well-defined appointment process. They accept appointments at certain times of the year but the policy also addresses a number of other common questions such as how long applications are kept.
Population: 25,711 | Region 5 | RRC Certified
Recruitment Flier: Midland
This 2-page flier is available on Midland's website as a way to help recruit new members. The flier includes information on how to apply, a brief description of what each board/commission does and who to contact with questions.
Population: 41,995 | Region 5
Brochure: Manistee
Manistee provides a Guide to Serving Brochure, and board members are required to sign a statement acknowledging they received orientation materials.
Population: 6,136 | Region 2 | RRC - Certified
Recruiment Information & Process: Albion
This powerpoint document sets in place procedures for board and commission member recruitment, orientation, and training.
Population: 8,293 | Region 8
Webpage: Midland
The city of Midland maintains a webpage for each board and commission which provided links to agendas, minutes, videos, applications and other information. Population: 41,995 | Region 5
Application: East Lansing
East Lansing's application is available online and includes a checklist of desired skill sets for each board and commission, allowing interested candidates to select the board or commision(s) that they are most qualified for.
Population: 48,669 | Region 7
Application: Ferndale
Ferndale uses a single application for all boards and commissions. The application is available online and can be submitted electronically or downloaded and mailed in. The city uses "SeamlessDocs", an online document system, to host the document.
Population: 20,160 | Region 10 | RRC-Certified
Application: Harrison
The City of Harrison's Board and Commission appliacation was updated as part of their efforts to reach certification. The application includes desired skillsets and expectations right along with the main part to help potential applications easier determine whether board service is a good fit for them. The form is simple and easy to use.
Population: 2,011 | Region 5
Application: Hart
This board and commission application contains both general information needed for consideration and desired skill sets for open seats.
Population: 2,188 | Region 4
Application: Mount Pleasant
As part of the RRC process, Mount Pleasant reviewed other communitie' applications and update their own to this online format. Of particular note is that the inclusion of checkboxes next to desired skill sets. This helps potential applicants self-select into appropriate boards/commissions and also helps the city with appointment decisions.
Population: 26,134 | Region 5
Application: Swartz Creek
Swartz Creek has a long history of active participation from their residents. The city's boards and commission application provides a page for each board or commission explaining the role, expectations and desired skill sets for a successful candidate.
Population: 5,632 | Region 6
Application: Sample
This sample boards and commission application combines the application with a list of desired skillsets. Can be adapted to fit any community.
Board & Commission Descriptions: Warren
Warren's Boards & Commissions webpage provides a comprehensive overview of each board--inclusive of a description of the board's purpose, structure, member lists, schedule of meetings and desired skill sets.
Population: 135,125 | Region 10
Handbook/Guide: Midland
This handbook is provided to all new appointed officials in Midland to clearly lay out procedures and expectations.
Population: 41,995 | Region 5
Handbook/Guide: Mount Clemens
This handbook includes information on the appointment process, meeting preparation, expectations for attendance, meeting conduct, the importance of public engagement, FOIA and numerous other topics that help prepare a member for service on a board or commission. Last updated in 2017.
Population: 16,381 | Region 10
Handbook/Guide: Niles
This Boards and Commissions Policy Handbook is a great resource for prospective and new members, as it describes the roles and responsbilities of each, working together as a group, relationship with city staff, and related state laws.
Population: 11,379 | Region 8
Handbook/Guide: Van Buren Township
Van Buren Township has consilidated information about their Boards and Commissions into this handy guide.
Population: 21,821 | Region 10
Orientation Packet: Gladstone
Gladstone maintains a simple, yet well-organized three-ring binder of resources for its various boards and committees. Each component of the guide can be printed as it is needed, or easily replaced if updated.
Population: 4,902 | Region 1
Orientation One-Pager: Example
This is a sample one-pager that provides an overview of available resources for a new planning commission member. It includes links to local information, training resources, and some general planning and development resources. This .docx file can be downloaded and customized for your community and for various boards.
Community Example: Manistee
This Capital Improvement Planning Process Guide explains the purpose of a CIP, roles of city staff, explains the format of the CIP, and the annual process for developing the document.
Population: 6,100 | Region 2 | RRC-Certified
Community Example: Petoskey
Petoskey encourages education and training by providing Michigan Association of Planning memberships for all PC and ZBA members. Members are then signed up to receive training notifications directly from those organizations. The city has a training budget for elected and appointed officials.
Population: 5,725 | Region 2
Individual Training Action Plan: Roscommon
The Village of Roscommon has developed what is called the Individual Training Action Plan for boards and comissioners (ITAP).The ITAP is an annual training action plan that documents specific training needs for the coming year. It may include training in general, technical, and managerial competencies that apply to current and aspired positions.
Population: 1,143 | Region 3
Training Plan: Lapeer
The city of Lapeer has established simple, one page training strategies for its development-related boards including planning commission, ZBA, Housing and City Commission. The plans identify priority topics, possible training venues, and a process for reporting training activity.
Population: 8,769 | Region 6
Training Plan & Tracker (Excel): Millington
The Village of Millington has taken the time to identify priorities for the upcominig year, including specific training events and formats which can help it meet its master plan goals. The village does a great job of making direct connections to the goals, identifying the best audiences and identifying specific events. Included in the excel spreadsheet is also a simple tracking table to everything lives in one place.
Population: 1,072 | Region 6
Citizen Planner Program
Operated through Michigan State University Extension, Citizen Planner can be completed as a 6-week in-person program or online. This provides a strong foundation planning commissioners, elected officials and interested citizens.
Michigan Association of Planning
The Michigan Association of Planning (MAP) offers numerous training opportunities on key topics including site reviews, planning and zoning essentials, capital improvements programs and community engagement. MAP also hosts several events and webinars each year and can bring training directly to your community. More information can be found on their Events & Education page.
Michigan Municipal League
The Michigan Municipal League (MML) hosts numerous events and trainings throughout the year. Their website is also a key resource for communities of all shapes and sizes. Check out their Trainings & Events page for more information.
American Planning Association
The American Planning Association (APA) is a national advocate for community planning and a great resource for current news, webinars and publications to stay up-to-date on planning-related information. APA hosts a national conference each year which is attended by thousands of planners and community officials. APA's Knowledge Center is a great place to start when looking for training opportunities.
Training Tracker: Template
This template includes basic columms such as name, board, training and date. It can be tailored to fit your community.
General Information Sharing: Hudsonville
Hudsonville encourages information-sharing in a number of ways, including; staff provide weekly reports that are distributed to all staff and elected officials, planning staff provide an annual planning commission report, a quarterly community newsletter is generated, planning/zoning director attends DDA board meetings to provide project updates, and joint meetings between the city council and DDA are held regularly.
Population: 7,271 | Region 4 | RRC-Certified
Annual Joint Meeting Packet: Bessemer
The city of Bessemer conducts an annual joint meetings with all its boards and commissions each November/December. In preparation for the meeting, the CIty Manager compiles a packet of information on the city's goals for that year. This allows the group to focus their efforts on not only meeting together but also tackling annual review aspects of RRC
Population: 1,908 | Region 1 | RRC Certified
Joint Meetings: Boyne City
Boyne City held multiple collaborative work sessions amongst all city boards and commissions to develop a strategic plan. Review of process begins on page 35 of this board agenda document.
Population: 3,766 | Region 2 | RRC - Certified
Joint Meeting: Plainwell
Plainwill developed a power point presentation for the Joint annual meeting to show progress on comissions and City activity. This is one of many ways to show beneficial content at joint annual meetinhgs.
Population: 3,810 | Region 4 | RRC Certified
Annual Report: Alpena
Alpena's 20176-2017 Planning Commission Annual Report is a clean, simple example of how to meet the RRC best practices. The report is done in-house and includes all required content.
Population: 10,273 | Region 3 | RRC-Certified
Annual Report: Battle Creek
Battle Creek's annual report provides detailed explanation of actions taken by the planning commission, zoning board of appeals and historic district commission in the past year, a summary of activities including enforcement, other planning initiatives and year-over-year comparison of activities.
Population: 51,830 | Region 8 | RRC-Certified
Annual Report: Escanaba
Escanaba's Planning Commission year-end report includes relevant initiatives over the year, progress made on the master plan, zoning ordinance amendments, highlights of major development projects, statistics on permits, notable capital improvements, and training recommendations for the future. The report could serve as an excellent guide for residents and new elected or appointed officials with a desire to learn what accomplishments have been made over the past year.
Population: 12,468 | Region 1 | RRC Certified
Annual Report: Laingsburg
The City of Laingsburg takes a simple approach to their Planning Commission annual report, issuing a two-page memo covering activity. The city issues a separate memo at the same time covering master plan progress as well.
Population: 1,296 | Region 6 | RRC Certified
Annual Report: Midland
The city of Midland's Community Development Annual Report combines a planning commission annual report with activities of all the city's development-related boards and commissions. The report is detailed and provides great document for future boards and staff. The report is done in-house each year.
Population: 41,995 | Region 5
Annual Report: Mount Clemens
The city of Mount Clemens publishes an annual report which covers all community development activity in a single document. It includes summaries, narrative and histroical data to help analyze the department's progress.
Population: 16,390 | Region 10
Annual Report: Oak Park
Oak Park's Planning Commission Annual Report meets all annual report best practices and includes feedback for the customer service survey, progress on the Master Plan, training, and project updates.
Population: 29,824 | Region 10 | RRC Certified
Annual Report: Template
This template planning commission annual report can be adapted to fit any community.
Best Practice 5 (Community Prosperity) assesses what goals and actions a community has identified to assist in strengthening its overall economic health. This best practice also includes an assessment of a community's marketing strategy and website.
Economic Development Strategy and Economic Development Timeline: Battle Creek
BC Vision is a collaborative, community-wide effort to spark transformation in Battle Creek and improve economic conditions of the community for residents. The strategy and accompanying timeline are the adopted economic development strategy for the city, and will be incorporated into the upcoming master plan.
Population: 51,830 | Region: 8 | RRC-Certified
Economic Development Strategy: Grayling
As part of Project Rising Tide, the city of Grayling worked with a team of consultants to create an economic deveopment strategy. The process included input from nearly 200 residents. The strategy is concise, unique to Grayling and includes a strong implementation plan with many partners at the table. The plan also identifies the city's priority redevleopment sites.
Population: 1,834 | Region 3
Economic Development Strategy: Lathrup Village
Lathrup Village's economic development strategy was designed to create a framework for a prosperous, sustainable, walkable, and vibrant destination community for the residents and businesses of Lathrup Village. The strategy includes an ambitious implementation plan to attract development along the city’s commercial corridor. The city also created a corresponding marketing strategy which can be found below.
Population: 4,137 | Region 10 | RRC-Certified
Economic Development Strategy: Marshall
Marshall's economic development strategy incorporates all of the Best Practices, and provides direct connections to other adopted plans.
Population: 7,038 | Region 8 | RRC – Certified
Economic Development: Meridian Township
Meridian Township's Economic Devlopment Strategy is a simple stand alone document that oulines steps to enhahnce economic development in the township.
Population: 41,903 | Region 7 | RRC Certified
Economic Development Strategy: Middleville
Middleville's economic development strategy integrates the work of many local partners and stakeholders, includes an implementation matrix of actions, timelines and responsible parties, and recognizes the challenges and many opportunities in the community.
Population: 3,304 | Region: 4 | RRC-Certified
Economic Development Strategy: Neguaunee
The City of Negaunee used funds via Project Empire (a special state initiative to support UP communities facing job losses due to mine closures) to create the "Moving Forward" economic deveopment strategy. The strategy seeks to create a more diverse economic base for the city and also identifies priority redevelopment sites to make its vision come to life (and meet best practice 6.1.1!)
Population: 4,579 | Region 1
Economic Development Strategy: Oak Park
The city of Oak Park's economic development strategy is a key city document that was created through significant public engagement about the city's future. The plan includes realistic goals and actions that the city has been able to implement in the past few years. The plan served as the foundation for the city's 2017 master plan demonstrating the importance of economic development to Oak Park. The plan was created as a partnership between in-house staff and a team of consultants.
Population: 29,752 | Region 10 | RRC-Certified
Economic Development Strategy: Paw Paw
Development of Paw Paw's economic development strategy included a stakeholder session where a list of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats were discussed. The plan incorporates goals, actions, timelines and responsible parties, and aligns with the master plan and CIP toward meeting the RRC Best Practices.
Population: 3,445 | Region 8
Economic Development Strategy (included in master plan): Portland
Portland’s master plan provides clear vision, goals, actions, timelines and responsible parties toward implementation. Also included in the plan is the city’s economic development strategy, which is articulated through the “downtown revitalization and economic development” goal, the economic opportunities and challenges of the community provided in the data, and the actions, timelines and responsible parties provided in the Implementation chapter of the master plan. Implementation steps include promoting the city’s designation as a Main Street community.
Population: 3,905 | Region 4
Economic Development Strategy: South Haven
The annual city council priorities document provides short-term action steps, specific responsible parties and partners to guide economic development in the city. The strategy is complemented by the extensive community data found in the master plan.
Population: 4,372 | Region 8
Marketing Strategy: Bessemer
The city of Bessemer updated its marketing strategy in 2019 to include more detailed action steps and timelines to achieve its goals. This simple strategy revolves around the city's four main messages & audiences of trails, retirment, telecommuting, and thriving businesses.
Population: 1,908 | Region 1 | RRC Certified
Marketing Strategy: Grand Haven
Grand Haven's marketing plan has been crafted to create a framework and action plan for effectively promoting the city of Grand Haven's Services. The Plan outlines an organized way to communicate that will ensure the best marketing methods and accurate information will be disseminated on a timely and regular basis.
Population: 10,853 | Region 4
Marketing Strategy: Hudsonville
Easy marketing plan that includes graphic to share where the core messages are and who they are being communicated to.
Population: 7,271 | Region 4 | RRC-Certified
Marketing & Promotion Strategy: Kalamazoo
The city of Kalamazoo's Marketing and Branding Strategy provide background of existing efforts, key action steps, and timelines. It was developed using the input gathered from a task force of representatives fro key partner organizations in the community.
Population: 75,885 | Region 8 | RRC-Certified
Marketing Strategy: Marshall
Marshall's marketing strategy was developed in collaboration with their economic development partner, and includes strengths of the community, the various audiences to whom should be marketed, sites to market, and relationships with local, regional and state partners.
Population: 7,038 | Region 8 | RRC – Certified
Marketing Strategy: Merdian Township
Meridian Township's Marketing Strategy outlines their brand, voice, fast facts about the Township, and how informaiton will be disseminated.
Population: 41,903 | Region 7 | RRC Certified
Marketing Strategy: Middleville
Middleville's marketing strategy explains the roles and relationship among the local, regional and state entities marketing the community, including the "Promote Middleville" committee.
Population: 3,304 | Region 4 | RRC-Certified
Website: Bessemer
The city of Bessemer used a local web developer to create a visually pleasing website that serves as both a marketing tool and a way to provide easy access to information. The city's site includes a dedicated page to business development which has links to key documents and resources.
Population: 1,908 | Region 1 | RRC Certified
Website: Escanaba
The City of Escanaba houses all of its development-relates plans, ordinances, forms, redevelopment site listings, and feedback tools in a single page known as the Land Development Toolbox.
Population: 12,468 | Region 1 | RRC – Certified
Website: Grand Rapids
Easy to navigate website with all planning forms and information located in one page.
Population: 193,887 | Region 4
Website: Holland
Easy to navigate website with all planning and development forms and information located in one page.
Population: 33,581 | Region 4
Website: Hudsonville
Easy to navigate website with information forms and information located in one page. This also serves as a guide to development, which connects to the ordinance, redevelopment projects, flow chart and more.
Population: 7,278 | Region 4
Best Practice 6 (Redevelopment Ready Sites) assesses how a community identifies, visions for and markets priority redevelopment sites. A redevelopment ready site is a site targeted by the community and ready for investment. In this section you'll find examples of prioritized sites in RRC communities as well as complete property information packages.
Priority Sites: Bessemer
Bessemer has identified six priority sites for development with a mix of downtown, large commercial and industrial sites. The city has included the sites on their Business page of the website. Each site includes basic information, vision and potential incentives. The city further developed one into a full property information package which can also be found on the business webpage.
Population: 1,921 | Region 1
Priority Redevelopment Sites: Dearborn
The city of Dearborn does an excellent job of keeping priority redevelopment sites on their website. Dearborn gathers pertinent information for each of the sites and has it available for developer inquiries.
Population: 95,520 | Region 10 | RRC-Certified
Priority Redevelopment Sites: Hart
These one-pagers contain the basic information for priority sites gathered as part of 5.1.2.
Population: 2,188 | Region 4
Priority Redevelopment Sites: Plainwell
Plainwell markets priority sites online by posting information and graphics for each site, brownfield incentives available and a page specifically for their highest priority redevelopment site, the Plainwell Paper Mill. Significant public engagement occurred to develop a vision for the Paper Mill Site.
Population: 3,810 | Region 4
Incentives Policy (Abatements): Swartz Creek
The City of Swartz Creek has created a detailed policy surrounding abatements as an incentive tool. The policy establishes desired investment levels and corresponding lengths of abatements along with the process and application.
Population: 5,565 | Region 6
Property Information Package: Bessemer
Bessemer has developed a full property information package for its top priority site along US-2. The city is seeking to attract sernior housing or a grocery store - two priorities identified in their master plan. The packet includes all the needed infromation on the site and city including potential incentives and tools. The package is also visually appealing and aligns with the city's brand.
Population: 1,921 | Region 1 | RRC Certified
Property Information Package: Holland
The city of Holland has created a very informative property information package. All the information is available on what is needed in order to meet best practice 6.
Population: 33,488 | Region 4
Property Information Package: Hudsonville
Hudsonville provides a webpage decidcated just for priority redvelopment sites. The packages are very well formatted, easy to read and provides all the required information.
Population: 7,335 | Region 4 | RRC Certified
Property Information Packages: Ironwood
The City of Ironwood has created a Business webpage which includes four priority site information packages. Each package identifies basic information, pictures, visions, zoning, and incentives. They also link to other resources. The site packages can be found near the top of the page.
Population: 5,051 | Region 1
Property Information Package: Mount Pleasant
The city of Mount Pleasant's Economic Development Commission (EDC) has prepared an RFP for a prime site anchoring downtown. A full package of information is on its website including basic information, studies, proposal guidelines, and maps. The city also created smaller information packets for six other sites in early 2018.
Population: 26,134 | Region 5
Property Information Package: Novi
This Property Information Package (PIP) for Adell Towers helps concisely describe the property, the possibilities that can be achieved within the zoning district, demographics and more.
Population: 57,577 | Region 10
Property Information Package: Oak Park
The city of Oak Park has completed a full property information packet to attract a brewery to one of the city's priority redevelopment sites. This effort closely matched with the city's goals in the master plan and economic development strategy as well. In addition to this packet the city advertizes properties on OppSites and has available sites on the city website.
Population: 29,751 | Region 10 | RRC-Certified
Property Information Package: Saginaw
Saginaw's Property Information Package for 505 Millard St. features essentail information about the city and the site. It includes a vision for development, potential incentives, and great photos on the inside of the property.
Population: 49,366 | Region 5 | RRC Certified
Other Resources: Sometimes helpful resources don't fit nicely into a particular best practice. As the RRC team identifies such resources, you'll find them listed in this section.
Following your community's Report of Findings presentation your governing body will need pass a resolution of intent to proceed. Below are some examples. Communities are expected to customized the resolution to fit their particular recommendations and situation. You are encouraged to share a draft with your RRC planner prior to adoption.
City of Adrian
City of Ann Arbor
City of Kalamazoo
City of Laingsburg
Village of Middleville
City of Traverse City
Consolidation Plan (2014): Saline
The Saline Consolidation Plan oulines ways the city can partner with neighboring jurisdictions to coordinate services, such as: parking areas for police officers, road maintenance, staff positions, various inspections and technology equipment. The plan includes projected and realized savings and barriers experienced when implementing each proposal.
Population: 9,020 | Region 9
Land Disposition of City-Owned Real Property (Policy): Laingsburg
The City of Laingsburg has developed a detailed policy governing the options available to the city when disposing of real property. The policy covers assessing value, RFQs, RFPs, public engagement, negotiation, purchase options and leasing. The city owns a number of parcels in the downtown area which are governed by this policy, including all three top priority sites.
Population: 1,216 | Region 6
Redevelopment Ready Communities has partnered with the Michigan Department of Treasury and MSU Extension to create the Fiscally Ready Communities program. This program was created to provide training and assistance to Michigan communities who are dedicated to ensuring their fiscal health through strong financial policies and protections. As a result of this training, officials and employees will be better equipped for long-term fiscal health and develop relationships with the Department of Treasury and MSU Extension.
Check out the Fiscally Ready Communities best practices guide.
To browse upcoming trainings, click here.
