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If your community plans for future
investment, invites public input, and
offers superior customer service, then
Redevelopment Ready Communities
certification
®
is for you!
周e Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s
Redevelopment Ready Communities® (RRC) program
works with Michigan communities seeking to streamline
the development approval process by integrating
transparency, predictability and efficiency into their daily
development practices. RRC is a statewide program that
certifies communities who actively engage stakeholders
and plan for the future. RRC empowers communities to
shape their future by assisting in the creation of a solid
planning, zoning and development foundation to retain
and attract businesses, investment and talent.
周rough RRC, communities commit to improving
redevelopment readiness by agreeing to undergo a
rigorous assessment, and work to achieve a set of
criteria as described in this document. Developed
by public and private sector experts, the RRC best
practices are the standard for evaluation. Each best
practice addresses key elements of community and
economic development. Evaluations are conducted by
the RRC team through interviews, observation and data
analysis. After the evaluation, a community is presented
with a report of findings that highlights successes and
outlines recommended actions for implementation of
missing best practice criteria. 周e expectations listed
with each evaluation criteria are what a community is
measured against to determine if that criteria is being
accomplished. A community must demonstrate how the
expectations are being achieved, and when applicable,
may propose alternative approaches. To be awarded
certification, a community must meet all RRC best
practice criteria.
Redevelopment Ready Communities certification
signals that a community has clear development policies
and procedures, a community-supported vision, a
predictable review process and compelling sites for
developers to locate their latest projects. Once certified,
the MEDC will assist in the promotion and marketing of
up to three Redevelopment Ready Sites®. 周ese packaged
sites are primed for new investment because they are
located within a community that has effective policies,
efficient processes and the broad community support
needed to get shovels in the ground.
In this document, parts of the best practices will
have further explanation. If a word is in orange, hover
your mouse over it and a yellow box will appear with
more information. If a word is orange and underlined,
it contains a hyperlink. Contact the RRC team at
RRC@michigan.org with questions.
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Best Practice One: Community plans and public outreach
Best Practice 1.1 evaluates community planning and how
a community’s redevelopment vision is embedded in the
master plan, capital improvements plan, downtown plan
and corridor plan. Comprehensive planning documents
are a community’s guiding framework for growth and
investment. Information and strategies outlined in
the plans are intended to serve as policy guidelines for
local decisions about the physical, social, economic and
environmental development of the community.
周e master plan is updated, at a minimum, every
five years to provide a community with a current and
relevant decision making tool. 周e plan sets expectations
for those involved in development, giving the public
some degree of certainty about their vision for the
future, while assisting the community to achieve its
stated goals. An updated master plan is essential to
articulating the types of development the community
desires and the specific areas where the community
will concentrate resources. Coordination between the
master plan, capital improvements plan, downtown
plan and corridor plan is essential. It is important that
planning documents incorporate recommendations for
implementation, including goals, actions, timelines and
responsible parties.
1.1—THE PLANS
EVALUATION CRITERIA 1
The governing body has
adopted a master plan in the
past five years.
EVALUATION CRITERIA 2
The governing body has
adopted a downtown plan.
EXPECTATIONS
The
master plan
reflects the community’s desired direction for
the
future.
The master plan identifies strategies for priority redevelopment
areas.
The master plan addresses land use and infrastructure, including
complete streets elements.
The master plan includes a zoning plan.
The master plan incorporates recommendations for implementation,
including goals, actions, timelines and responsible parties.
Progress on the master plan is annually reported to the
governing body.
The master plan is accessible online.
The downtown plan identifies development area boundaries.
The downtown plan identifies projects, and includes estimated
project costs and a timeline for completion.
The downtown plan includes mixed-use and pedestrian oriented
development elements.
The downtown plan addresses transit oriented development, if
applicable.
The downtown plan coordinates with the master plan and capital
improvements plan.
The downtown plan is accessible online.
EXPECTATIONS
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Best Practice One: Community plans and public outreach
1.1—THE PLANS
continued
EVALUATION CRITERIA 3
The governing body has
adopted a corridor plan.
EVALUATION CRITERIA 4
The governing body has
adopted a capital improvements
plan.
EXPECTATIONS
The corridor plan identifies development area boundaries.
The corridor plan identifies projects, and includes estimated project
costs and a timeline for completion.
The
corridor plan
includes mixed-use and pedestrian oriented
development elements.
The corridor plan addresses transit oriented development, if
applicable.
The corridor plan coordinates with the master plan and capital
improvements plan.
The corridor plan is accessible online.
The capital improvements plan details a minimum of six years of
public structures and improvements and is reviewed annually.
The capital improvements plan coordinates projects to minimize
construction costs.
The capital improvements plan coordinates with the master plan
and budget.
The capital improvements plan is accessible online.
EXPECTATIONS
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Best Practice 1.2 assesses how well a community identifies
its stakeholders and engages them, not only during the
master planning process, but on a continual basis. A
public participation strategy is essential to formalize
those efforts and outline how the public will be engaged
throughout planning and development processes.
Public participation is the process by which a
community consults with interested or affected
stakeholders before making a decision. It is two-way
communication and collaborative problem solving with
the objective of being intentionally inclusive, and the goal
of achieving better and more acceptable decisions. Public
participation aims to prevent or minimize disputes by
creating a process for resolving issues before they become
an obstacle.
周e best plans and proposals have the support of many
stakeholders from businesses, residents, community
groups and elected and appointed community officials.
Public engagement should be more frequent and
interactive than only soliciting input during the master
plan update and public hearings.
1.2—PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Best Practice One: Community plans and public outreach
EVALUATION CRITERIA 3
EVALUATION CRITERIA 2
EVALUATION CRITERIA 1
The community has a public
participation strategy for
engaging a diverse set of
community stakeholders.
The community shares
outcomes of public participation
processes.
The community demonstrates
that public participation efforts
go beyond the basic methods.
The strategy identifies key stakeholders, including those not
normally at the visioning table.
The strategy describes public participation methods and the
appropriate venue to use each method.
If a third party is consulted, they adhere to the public participation
strategy.
The community tracks success of various outreach methods.
The community participation results are communicated in a
consistent and transparent manner.
Basic practices:
Open Meetings Act
Newspaper posting
Website posting
Flier posting on community hall door
Postcard mailings
Attachments to water bills
Local cable notification
Announcements at governing
body meetings
Proactive practices:
Individual mailings
Charrettes
Focus groups
Community workshops Canvassing
Crowd-sourcing
Social networking
One-on-one interviews
EXPECTATIONS
EXPECTATIONS
EXPECTATIONS
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Best Practice 2.1 evaluates a community’s zoning
ordinance and how well it regulates for the goals of the
master plan.
Zoning is a key tool for plan implementation.
Inflexible or obsolete zoning regulations can discourage
development and investment. Outdated regulations can
force developers to pursue rezoning or variance requests,
disturbing project timelines, increasing costs and creating
uncertainty. Communities should look to streamline
ordinances and regulate for the kind of development that
is truly desired. In addition, zoning is an essential tool for
shaping inviting, walkable, vibrant communities.
2.1—ZONING REGULATIONS
Best Practice Two: Zoning regulations
EVALUATION CRITERIA 1
EVALUATION CRITERIA 3
EVALUATION CRITERIA 2
The governing body has
adopted a zoning ordinance
that aligns with the goals of the
master plan.
The zoning ordinance
includes flexible tools to
encourage development and
redevelopment.
The zoning ordinance provides
for areas of concentrated
development in appropriate
locations and encourages the
type and form of development
desired.
The community has reviewed the master plan’s zoning plan
to
determine if changes to the zoning map or ordinance text are
necessary to implement the master plan vision.
The community has reviewed zoning district intent statements to
reflect master plan land use recommendations.
Special land use and conditional zoning approval procedures and
requirements are clearly defined.
Industrial districts allow for related compatible uses that serve new
economy-type businesses.
The ordinance allows mixed use in areas of concentrated
development by right.
The community understands form-based zoning and has reviewed
the ordinance to consider how form-based zoning could help
achieve community goals.
The community allows for the following placemaking elements, in
areas of concentrated development, where appropriate:
Build-to lines
Ground floor signage standards
Open store fronts
Public realm standards
Outdoor dining
Other pedestrian-friendly elements
The ordinance allows for preservation of sensitive historic and
environmental features.
EXPECTATIONS
EXPECTATIONS
EXPECTATIONS
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2.1—ZONING REGULATIONS
continued
Best Practice Two: Zoning regulations
EVALUATION CRITERIA 4
EVALUATION CRITERIA 5
EVALUATION CRITERIA 6
The zoning ordinance allows for
a variety of housing options.
The zoning ordinance includes
standards to improve non-
motorized transportation.
The zoning ordinance includes
flexible parking standards.
EXPECTATIONS
The ordinance allows for two or more of the following
non-traditional
housing types:
Accessory dwelling units
Co-housing
Attached single-family units Mixed-income housing
Stacked flats
Corporate temporary housing
Live/work
Housing for those with special
Residential units above
needs
non-residential uses
The community understands the benefits of walkable and transit
oriented development and has standards for the following elements
where appropriate:
Bicycle parking
Pedestrian lighting
Traffic calming
Streetscape elements
The community understands the benefits of connectivity and has
ordinance requirements that accommodate pedestrian
activity within and around development.
The ordinance includes regulations for one or more of the following:
Reduction or elimination of
required parking with the
availability of on-street and
public parking
Interconnected vehicle
passage between lots
Shared parking agreements
Parking maximums or waivers
Electric vehicle charging
stations
Bicycle parking
EXPECTATIONS
EXPECTATIONS
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The ordinance includes regulations for one or more of the following:
The community recognizes the benefits of street trees and parking
lot landscaping to mitigate the impacts of heat island effects.
EXPECTATIONS
2.1—ZONING REGULATIONS
continued
Best Practice Two: Zoning regulations
EVALUATION CRITERIA 8
The zoning ordinance is
user-friendly.
EXPECTATIONS
The
ordinance
portrays clear definitions and
requirements.
The ordinance is available in an electronic format at no cost.
Hard copies are available for review at convenient locations.
The ordinance is accessible online.
EVALUATION CRITERIA 7
The zoning ordinance
includes standards for green
infrastructure.
Rain gardens, bioswales and
other treatment techniques
Green roofs
Rain barrels
Landscaping that encourages
or requires use of native, non-
invasive species
Pervious pavement
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3.1—DEVELOPMENT REVIEW POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Best practice 3.1 evaluates the community’s development
review policies and procedures, project tracking and
internal/external communication.
周e purpose of the development review process is to
assure plans for specific types of development comply with
local ordinances and are consistent with the master plan.
Streamlined, well-documented development policies and
procedures ensure a smooth and predictable experience
when working with a community. It is essential for a
community’s development review team to also coordinate
with permitting and inspections staff.
Unnecessary steps or unclear instructions increase time
and expenses associated with development. Community
leaders should look to simplify and clarify policies, operate
in a transparent manner and increase efficiency to create
an inviting development climate that is vital to attracting
investment. To do this, sound internal procedures need
to be in place and followed. Tracking projects internally
across multiple departments can alleviate potential delays.
Offering conceptual site plan review meetings is one more
step a community can take to show investors they are
working to remove development barriers and cut down on
unexpected time delays.
Best Practice Three: Development review process
EVALUATION CRITERIA 1
EVALUATION CRITERIA 2
The zoning ordinance articulates
a thorough site plan review
process.
EVALUATION CRITERIA 3
The community defines and
offers conceptual site plan
review meetings for applicants.
The community has a qualified
intake professional.
The responsibilities of the governing body, planning commission,
zoning board of appeals, other reviewing bodies, and staff are
clearly documented.
The community has clearly defined expectations posted online and a
checklist to be reviewed at conceptual meetings.
The community identifies a project point person and trains staff to
perform intake responsibilities including:
Receiving and processing applications and site plans
Maintaining contact with the applicant
Facilitating meetings
Processing applications after approval
Coordinating projects with permitting and inspections staff
Staff understands the importance of
excellent customer service.
EXPECTATIONS
EXPECTATIONS
EXPECTATIONS
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