CREATING COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITY THROUGH HOUSING VARIETY

COMMUNITY OPEN HOUSE AND PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED

The Planning Commission has reaffirmed the goal of expanding housing options as part of their 2023 annual goals. A host of small scale zoning changes are being considered to remove barriers and to provide additional attainable housing opportunities that allow numerous points of entry to being a resident in the City.

Proposed Zoning Changes Explored

• Create Definitions for Duplexes, Triplexes, and Quadplexes
• Eliminate the Annual Cap on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
• Remove the Owner-Occupancy Requirement for ADUs
• Allow ADUS with Duplexes
• Allow Duplexes by Right in the R-1a/b zoning District
• Allow up to Four Dwelling Units Per Lot in the R-2 District
• Reduce Minimum Lot Area in R-1a/b Zoning District
• Reduce Minimum Lot Width in the R-1a/b Zoning District
• Marginally Increase Impervious Surface Limits
• Allow Two Homes on a Lot That is Twice the Minimum Area without Being Split
• Reduce the Minimum Land Area for the Cluster Housing Development Option
• Rename the R-1a/b and R-2 Zoning Districts to Reflect the Proposed Changes

Public Open House

A community open house to review and discuss proposed zoning changes as it relates to housing variety will be hosted on May 16, 2023 at 7 pm at the Park Place Hotel.

Public Hearing Scheduled

At their May 2, 2023 meeting, the Planning Commission scheduled a public hearing for June 6, 2023 regarding an amendment to the Traverse City Code of Ordinance to allow additional dwelling types and to modify dimensional standards in the R-1a, R-1b, and R-2 residential zoning districts.

Story Map

A Story Map, or digital map that provides in depth context, has been developed by the Planning Department to explore expanding housing options.

The demand for housing in our region remains high, particularly in locations that are convenient and accessible to one’s daily needs. Land use regulations as they relate to permitting housing types, densities, and locations are just one of the many levers influencing the housing needs in the City, but one that City Commission and Planning Commission have direct influence over.

TWO MASTER PLAN SURVEYS

PROVIDE INPUT ON YOUR CITY NEIGHBORHOOD AND KEY CORRIDOR AREAS IN THE CITY

City of Traverse City Neighbors! 

You may have heard about the series of listening sessions the City conducted with ALL of the City’s official and unofficial neighborhoods last week. We listened to about 250 neighbors, either in-person or via Zoom, about what elements of their neighborhood they hope are preserved, enhanced, or transformed. 

We know that not all of our residents can make these meetings—folks are balancing work, family, and personal obligations, and some just don’t enjoy participating in these types of group settings. That’s ok! And that’s why we have an online survey with the same questions, open until this Sunday, May 7th. 

Do have ideas about the parts of your neighborhood that you’d like to stay the same or change?

We would especially love to hear from residents who live in the Traverse Heights, Kids Creek, SoFo, NoBo, and Munson Avenue neighborhoods. Please help spread the word! 

Take the Survey

Open to All!

In addition to the neighborhood survey, we have an online survey open until May 13th. All Traverse City residents AND non-residents are encouraged to take the survey. We are seeking input regarding improvements to three key corridor areas in Traverse City:



• Munson Avenue, between the college and city limits
• 14th Street
• Garfield Avenue
• Intersection of Garfield Avenue and Eighth Street

Take the Survey

CALLING ALL ARTISTS

BRYANT PARK MURAL RFP



The Traverse City Arts Commission has issued a call for entry. The scope of this project is to install a colorful mural on the restroom building at Bryant Park. 

The mural will serve to enhance the appearance of the building, draw additional attention to the park, enrich the cultural and aesthetic quality of Traverse City, and contribute to our sense of place.  Additional improvements are being planned to compliment the mural.  

Submissions are due May 25, 2023. The project is anticipated to be complete in June 2023.

$7 MILLION SENIOR CENTER PROJECT GRANT ACCEPTED

At their May 1, 2023 meeting, the City Commission officially accepted the $7 million grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for the Senior Center project!

In 2018, the City and Grand Traverse County formed an Ad Hoc Committee to determine future reconstruction of the Senior Center. The partners engaged local firm, Environment Architects, for professional design and construction services. In 2022, an Ad Hoc Committee was formed to discuss the future of the Senior Center and explore funding options. Designs and cost estimates are currently being refined to establish the total cost for the project.

Are you interested in serving the beautiful City of Traverse City? Our community spirit of involvement is a great source of beautification for our community on all fronts. We hope this information is of assistance as you contemplate the donation of your experiential resources.  

Interested in Becoming Involved?

The City is seeking volunteers for the following Boards and Committees. Please feel free to contact the City Clerk's Office with any questions at (231) 922-4480 or by email at tcclerk@traversecitymi.gov to learn more on the appointment process through the City Commission Policy on Appointments and Committees. 

• Local Officers Compensation Commission
• Election Commission
• Human Rights Commission

Attend Meetings and/or Subscribe to Meeting Packets

Attending meetings or following the work of your fellow community members who sit on various boards and commissions is the best way to stay in the know on the policies and initiatives that are being developed to shape our future. 

Subscribe to Meeting Agendas

Watch Streamed Meetings

City Commission, Planning Commission, Downtown Development Authority, and TC Light & Power meetings are all live streamed. Visit the link below to watch live or view the recordings at a later time.

Watch Streamed Meetings

IN THE COMMUNITY

CONGRATULATIONS TRAVERSE HEALTH CLINIC & COALITION AND FOOD RESCUE OF NORTHWEST MICHIGAN!

Good people, doing good things make our community go round! This past week the City of Traverse City's Human Rights Commission honored Food Rescue of NW Michigan and Traverse Health Clinic and Coalition with their Business/Organization Humanitarian Award. The award was established to honor and give public recognition to a business or organization that has demonstrated an ongoing and sustained commitment to helping others in the Traverse City Region.