Page 147 - MFB State Annual Meeting 2018 -- RESOLUTIONS BOOK

71 landowners have not requested the zoning change.
72 We strongly recommend that when agricultural land
73 is within a governmental unit, a representative of
74 production agriculture be appointed to the planning
75 commissions and zoning boards. We urge members to
76 become actively involved in land use planning and
77 zoning.
78 Agricultural interests are represented by members
79 of many councils, commissions and boards created by
80 government, state legislators, and MDARD. Individuals
81 appointed to these positions shall should currently be,
82 or have been, directly involved in the agriculture
83 industry.
84 Legislation should be enacted to prevent farmland
85 from being annexed to a municipality without a vote of
86 the people in the affected area. Upon approval of the
87 people in the affected area, an annexation proposal
88 should then be approved by the township by a vote of
89 the people. We further support requiring consent of
90 landowners regarding annexation proposals. Changing
91 the use of property must consider and protect the
92 rights of private property owners. Property enrolled in a
93 farmland preservation program must have the
94 concurrent approval to annexation or public use of the
95 contracted parties, including land owners.
96 We support the development and uniformity of
97 Geographic Information Systems and encourage use
98 by local units of government in land use planning.
99 We recommend MFB assist county Farm Bureaus
100 with model zoning ordinances pertaining to agriculture.
101 We recommend legislation and zoning that will enable
102 the production of energy on farms, including the sale or
103 use of the generated electricity. Specific zoning for the
104 production of alternative energy should include adoption
105 of the state siting guidelines, taking into account sound
106 science. MFB should support legislation that pre-empts
107 local height restrictions.
108 Any plan to address land uses in Michigan must
109 consider and protect the rights of private property
110 owners.
111 MFB is concerned about the decision by the
112 Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to limit use
113 within the Pigeon River State Forest area. We believe
114 when the Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
115 proposes public land use changes, are proposed on
116 state lands, it is imperative that those impacted are
117 involved in the decision-making process. We oppose
118 limitations being placed on state lands for recreational
119 purposes unless there is sound scientific justification or
120 when funding restrictions exist. If limitations are
121 proposed, then justification should be in writing and
State Policies – Page 61