Utilities: For a high quality development, assuring the tenant of adequate and reliable utility services is essential. All utilities, including a storm water control plan, must be readily available for tap-in by a business buying land in the park. No Special consideration will be given to communities deciding to locate the park in an area not serviceable by a municipality, as this should be an important factor in the planning stages. In areas of the state where it is geologically not feasible for water and sewer line extensions, a letter from a geological engineer stating the reason for this inability may make the park certifiable.

Highway: Access to the park and interior sites should also be an important factor in planning the appropriate location for a park. There must be an all weather road leading to the park and an all weather road inside the park giving access to all interior sites. The 300’ minimum is intended for those parks being developed in phases.

PROTECTIVE COVENANTS:- when mailing in, please identify where to find the following requirements in your corresponding material (i.e.: highlight, label, etc.).

• It is the sole intent of the Certified Business Park program to provide ready-to-use sites for eligible businesses and industry (per the current LDFA act). For this reason, the park’s principle use is set aside for industrial business and high tech purposes. The area of the park must be specified at the time of certification. This covenant may allow the developer to exclude certain types of industries from locating in the Certified Business Park.
  

• All buildings shall be constructed in accordance with all applicable laws, statues, ordinances, codes, rules and regulations of all governmental agencies having jurisdiction thereof and in a manner so as to have the ability to withstand the normal causes of deterioration with normal maintenance procedures. Previously used materials shall not be incorporated within any building with-out the prior written consent of the developer. No structure, carport, garage, barn or other out-building of a temporary nature shall be situated, erected or maintained on the property or any lot.
• With the intent to have an aesthetically pleasing building, the buildings will be finished in materials such as decorative, fluted or finished brick, block, wood, vinyl, glass or decorative metal on sides that face an exterior or internal road.
• In most instances the developer will retain the right to review all site materials planned to be used to ensure that all other covenants will be adhered to.
  

• Parks are required to have adequate signage at the park entrance and interior streets. Signs should be of high quality, compatible with appearance of the park and be of a size that will present a professional image. Signs must be free standing and may not be comprised of neon or flashing lights.

• There must be a general landscaping and continuous maintenance provision (plan) in the protective covenants to qualify for certification.
• All lots will be seeded or sodded and shrubs and trees must be planted to maintain a park-like atmosphere.
• Areas that are sold or set aside for future expansion must also be maintained as lawn area within 25 feet of streets, roadways, and curbs
• Areas that are disturbed (such as through excavation, grading, etc.) must be restored to the above standards within 6 months.
• Landscaping will be installed within one-year of the Certificate of Occupancy.
  
• All developments must meet state and local groundwater and watershed standards.
  

• This restriction is intended to reduce the noise, dust, and potholes in Certified Business Parks.
• At a minimum, all parking areas, driveways, truck turnaround areas and truck loading/unloading areas will be paved with concrete, asphalt or other hard surface material.
  
• Parking must be well maintained.

• All activities of a business will be carried on within the confines of the building.
• In those instances when outside storage is a necessity, an opaque fence or wall (that is architecturally compatible to the building’s finished materials), or landscaping will shield all items outdoors, so as to effectively screen the view of such storage area from public streets and adjoining properties.
  

• Loading and unloading areas will be designed to permit the pickup and delivery of materials without impeding the public right of way. Design of the truck wells of the loading area will not encroach upon the required front yard setback line. 
• Truck or rail docks should be located at the side yard or rear yard of the building.
  
• Certified Industrial Park properties approved before 2000 may be permitted to maintain front yard truck wells or loading areas where they are required due to design and space limitations.

• Protective Covenants must state who is responsible for the constant maintenance of the park’s covenants and restrictions, i.e.: owner/developer, municipality, or major property owners.
• In all cases, the management entity of the park will have the authority to enforce the covenants and restrictions on all tenants and future tenants of the park.
  
• Management must also maintain non-development and non-developable areas located within the park.

• Setbacks must be specified and no activities should take place within the setback areas, except sidewalks may be placed in the front setback.

• Signs identifying the person, firm, company or corporation shall be permitted. Signs must be permanent, may be of a freestanding nature, or attached to the building except that the signs cannot exceed the height of the building.
• Outdoor advertising, billboards, neon or flashing lights are not permitted.
• Sign materials should be compatible with the appearance of the building’s finished materials.
  

A copy of the protective covenants should be attached to each deed and signed by each new owner and the applicant shall certify that each owner from the date of this application forward shall execute a copy of the protective covenants at the time of property purchase.

File Material

The park owner/developer/manager shall send to the Michigan Economic Developers Association the following materials: (see Join the Program for all application materials) the fully completed Certified Business Park application, a list of tenants, a copy of the approved site plan or plat, and a copy of the operating protective covenants and restrictions and applicable community zoning ordinances not covered in the covenants. An evaluation may be made as to the park’s eligibility for certification.

Failure to meet any of the above requirements upon filing the application or during the on-site inspection will deem the park uncertified. The park owner/developer/manager will then have 90 days to bring the park up to these standards for another on-site inspection. After this 90 day period a new application must be filed.

MCBP Program is a State program administered by the Michigan Economic Developers Association.