Michigan § 125.3506 - Open space preservation.

(1) Subject to subsection (4) and section 402, a qualified local unit of government shall provide in its zoning ordinance that land zoned for residential development may be developed, at the option of the landowner, with the same number of dwelling units on a smaller portion of the land than specified in the zoning ordinance, but not more than 50% for a county or township or 80% for a city or village, that could otherwise be developed, as determined by the local unit of government under existing ordinances, laws, and rules on the entire land area, if all of the following apply:

(a) The land is zoned at a density equivalent to 2 or fewer dwelling units per acre or, if the land is served by a public sewer system, 3 or fewer dwelling units per acre.

(b) A percentage of the land area specified in the zoning ordinance, but not less than 50% for a county or township or 20% for a city or village, will remain perpetually in an undeveloped state by means of a conservation easement, plat dedication, restrictive covenant, or other legal means that runs with the land, as prescribed by the zoning ordinance.

(c) The development does not depend upon the extension of a public sewer or public water supply system, unless development of the land without the exercise of the option provided by this subsection would also depend upon the extension.

(d) The option provided under this subsection has not previously been exercised with respect to that land.

(2) After a landowner exercises the option provided under subsection (1), the land may be rezoned accordingly.

(3) The development of land under subsection (1) is subject to other applicable ordinances, laws, and rules, including rules relating to suitability of groundwater for on-site water supply for land not served by public water and rules relating to suitability of soils for on-site sewage disposal for land not served by public sewers.

(4) Subsection (1) does not apply to a qualified local unit of government if both of the following apply:

(a) On or before October 1, 2001, the local unit of government had in effect a zoning ordinance provision providing for both of the following:

(i) Land zoned for residential development may be developed, at the option of the landowner, with the same number of dwelling units on a smaller portion of the land that, as determined by the local unit of government, could otherwise be developed under existing ordinances, laws, and rules on the entire land area.

(ii) If the landowner exercises the option provided by subparagraph (i), the portion of the land not developed will remain perpetually in an undeveloped state by means of a conservation easement, plat dedication, restrictive covenant, or other legal means that runs with the land.

(b) On or before December 15, 2001, a landowner exercised the option provided under the zoning ordinance provision referred to in subdivision (a) with at least 50% of the land area for a county or township or 20% of the land area for a city or village, remaining perpetually in an undeveloped state.

(5) The zoning ordinance provisions required by subsection (1) shall be cited as the "open space preservation" provisions of the zoning ordinance.

(6) As used in this section, "qualified local unit of government" means a county, township, city, or village that meets all of the following requirements:

(a) Has adopted a zoning ordinance.

(b) Has a population of 1,800 or more.

(c) Has land that is not developed and that is zoned for residential development at a density described in subsection (1)(a).