Planning & Public Hearings
36 storiesReporting includes hearing previews, planning-document explainers, decision updates and participation guides. Stories clarify the proposal, applicable rules, staff recommendations, public input and next vote so readers can distinguish an early application from an approved project or final land-use decision.
SMART to Add New Bus Routes Across Wayne County After Millage Approval
SMART will launch new bus routes and service improvements in Wayne County after voters approved a 10-year transit millage expected to generate at least $570 million for regional transportation upgrades
Southeast Michigan Survey Seeks Resident Input on Urban Deer Issues
Residents in Farmington Hills and neighboring cities are being asked to weigh in on deer-related problems, from car crashes to property damage, as part of a new regional survey open through November 1
Farmington Hills to Join Regional Urban Deer Survey This Fall
A new urban deer survey will run from September 1 to November 1, 2026, as Farmington Hills and other Southeast Michigan communities seek data to address rising deer-related accidents, property damage, and health risks
California Agencies Face New Rules for Public Participation and Trust
California's updated Brown Act now requires local agencies to offer two-way remote participation and expanded language access, but experts say real public trust depends on showing how community input shapes decisions
Farmington Schedules Public Hearing on Brownfield Plan for Senior Apartments
A public hearing is set for September 22 at Farmington City Hall to review a proposed Brownfield Plan that could fund major rehabilitation of the Farmington Place Apartments, a senior income-based complex on Grand River Avenue
Oakland County Residents Asked to Weigh In on Urban Deer Management
A new survey invites Oakland County residents to share their experiences with local deer as cities consider expanding culling programs. The survey is open through November 1 and aims to guide future management decisions.
Poll Finds Data Centers Least Supported by U.S. Communities
A new national survey shows nearly half of Americans oppose new data centers in their neighborhoods, with concerns over energy, water use, and AI growth driving resistance. Support for other developments remains much higher.
Metro Detroit Deer Cull Plans Face Delays and Long Waitlists
Metro Detroit suburbs including Livonia and Beverly Hills are seeking deer culls to manage rising deer populations, but staffing shortages and high demand mean some communities may wait until 2027 or later for USDA-led operations
Wayne County Plans New Roundabouts to Ease Traffic and Improve Safety
Wayne County communities including Canton, Northville, and Romulus are moving forward with their first roundabout projects, aiming to reduce congestion and improve safety at busy intersections starting as early as 2027
Dozens of U.S. Cities Enact Data Center Moratoriums and Bans
At least 76 local governments across the U.S. have moved to restrict or ban new data centers, with most efforts succeeding. The trend is driven by concerns over electricity, water use, and community impact, according to new tracking data.
Aging Homes Challenge Michigan's Efforts to Expand Housing Supply
Michigan's median home was built in 1973, making the state's housing stock among the oldest in the nation. As officials work to address a shortage of nearly 97,000 homes, aging properties present costly barriers for buyers and complicate new construction.
County Governments Face Tough Choices in Emergency Response
As the Aspen Acres Fire put Pueblo County's emergency systems to the test, the realities of county budgeting and public accountability became clear, highlighting how local governments must balance resources and make visible tradeoffs
Michigan Approves $50M Grant for Copperwood Mine in Upper Peninsula
The Michigan Strategic Fund has awarded $50 million in state grants for land and road improvements at the proposed Copperwood Mine in Gogebic County, aiming to revive the region's economy despite ongoing environmental concerns and public opposition.
SpaceX to Build $100 Billion Rocket Launch Site in Louisiana
SpaceX will invest $100 billion to construct its largest rocket launch facility on Louisiana's southern coast, with construction expected to begin in 2027 and the first launches as early as 2029. The project is set to create 3,000 jobs over ten years.
Lowndes County Residents Press for Data Center Transparency
More than 150 residents gathered at the Hayneville courthouse to demand answers from county officials about the proposed 800-acre Project Red Clay data center, which has requested enough power for one million homes and raised concerns over local oversight
World Cup Drives Major Advances in U.S. Drone Security
More than 700 illegal drones were intercepted during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, prompting new investments and coordination among U.S. cities and states to strengthen airspace security for major events and future drone operations.
Farmington Hosts 2026 Michigan Mayors Workshop and Downtown Tour
Municipal leaders from across Michigan gathered in Farmington August 5-7 for the Michigan Association of Mayors Summer Workshop, featuring sessions on local government issues and a tour of Farmington's revitalized downtown
Data Center Debate Shapes Pennsylvania Governor's Race
Pennsylvania's race for governor is now centered on data center development, with new state standards, campaign attacks, and public opposition influencing both candidates' positions ahead of the November election.
Michigan Officials Face Recall Efforts Over Data Center Projects
Local leaders across Michigan say they have little authority to block new data centers, as residents frustrated by recent approvals struggle to get recall votes on the ballot. Only one recall will proceed this November despite dozens of attempts.
TeraWulf Pledges to Meet Kentucky Data Center Rules at Hancock Site
TeraWulf plans to build a 482-megawatt data center at a former Hancock County aluminum smelter, promising to follow Kentucky's new requirements on taxes, transparency, and environmental compliance as state regulators review its energy contract.
Fairfield Sets August 26 Workshop on Safe Streets for All Plan
Fairfield will host a public workshop on August 26 to present its Safety Action Plan under the Safe Streets for All initiative, inviting residents to review findings and discuss recommendations for safer local roadways.
Cities Use AI to Cut Housing Permit Delays and Speed Up Reviews
Cities across the U.S. are adopting artificial intelligence to reduce housing permit backlogs, with new federal funding supporting automated systems aimed at eliminating costly application errors and shortening approval times.
Newtown Borough Council Rejects Canopy at Brick Hotel Restaurant
A proposed canopy at Donetelli's Italian Steakhouse in Newtown Borough was denied after a 3-3 council vote was broken by the mayor, requiring the structure to be removed or modified before the restaurant's opening.
Cheshire Schedules Public Hearing on 2026-27 Capital Budget
Cheshire residents can weigh in on the Town Manager's proposed capital budget for fiscal year 2026-27 at a public hearing set for August 26 at Town Council Chambers. The council will vote on the budget following the hearing.
Petoskey Rejects Settlement, Will Go to Trial Over Miracle Mile Trail
Petoskey City Council has voted to prepare for trial rather than accept a settlement that could have ended public access to the Miracle Mile section of the Little Traverse Wheelway, a popular lakeside trail closed since a 2020 collapse.
Pennsylvania Sets New Rules for Data Center Projects Statewide
Governor Josh Shapiro has signed an executive order making stricter standards mandatory for new data center developments in Pennsylvania, responding to mounting criticism and concerns about local impacts and energy use
Loudoun County May End Fast-Track Data Center Approvals
Loudoun County supervisors are proposing to require public hearings and board votes for more than 20 pending data center applications that were previously exempt from new zoning rules, potentially changing the approval process as soon as September 1
Iowa Launches Tool to Guide Local Data Center Decisions
A new online tool from University of Iowa experts aims to help local governments evaluate the benefits and challenges of proposed data centers, as more communities weigh the impact of these large facilities on resources and infrastructure
Ypsilanti Township Considers Power Moratorium for U-M Data Center
Ypsilanti Township officials will vote on a six-month pause for new power transmission projects as they review the University of Michigan's $1.2 billion data center plan, which could reshape local infrastructure and impact residents near Textile Road.
Michigan Schools Receive $224M for Repairs, But Billions Still Needed
Michigan awarded $224 million to 31 school districts for urgent building repairs, but a recent study found public schools statewide need $22.8 billion to address aging infrastructure by 2033
Page 1 of 2