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County planners, MSU and U‑M team to release solar zoning guidebook for local communities
Summary
County planning staff said they are working with Michigan State University Extension, University of Michigan and other partners to publish a zoning and planning guidebook for solar energy systems and to bring local education to townships after recent state siting law changes.
County planning staff told the Berrien County Board of Commissioners on May 11 that a multi‑institution team is finalizing a solar planning and zoning guidebook for local communities.
A planning staff member said the project includes the University of Michigan, Michigan State University Extension and the Michigan Association of Planners and adapts recent 2024 state law changes that created an option for some large‑scale developers to seek permitting through the Michigan Public Service Commission. The guidebook will outline three pathways counties and townships can choose under the new regulatory framework and will treat smaller, locally sited systems separately.
"U of M and their team has already updated the battery energy systems guide, BESS. And now we're doing the next one, which is our solar," the planning staff member said during the meeting, adding that the guidebook was in final editorial review and the team hoped to release it to the public by the end of the month. The staff member emphasized the guide is designed as a decision‑support tool rather than a prescriptive mandate: "Here are your decision points. Have those local community conversations."
County staff said they plan to bring the guidebook and education sessions to local township officials so that local leaders can review zoning and siting options. No formal county zoning change was proposed at the meeting; the update was informational and focused on forthcoming resources and outreach.
