This year, Municipal Minute will be counting down to the New
Year with updates on legislation that will be effective starting on January 1,
2026.
Public Act
104-0048 amends the Township Code to provide more flexibility in
township-owned open spaces. Township open land refers to the land and water
held by townships for preservation, recreation, and natural conservation
purposes. The definition of “open land” was revised to include any area of land
or water with an area of twelve acres or more (previously 50 acres or more).
Expansion of the definition of “open land” to include smaller parcels will
allow townships to preserve and maintain publicly held land for the benefit of
future generations and otherwise promote the conservation of the environment.
This amendment also provides that a Township
Board may not sell, convey, donate, or otherwise dispose of any part of open
space without first passing a referendum approved by a majority of the voters
of the township at a regular election.
Post authored by Alexis Carter, Ancel Glink