PLANNING COMMISSION HOUSING GOALS

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH HOUSING VARIETY

The Planning Commission has reaffirmed the goal of expanding housing options as part of their 2023 annual goals and have continued making progress on this effort. 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.

Therefore, 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.

What is meant by housing options and why are they important?

Housing options refer to the variety in the type of housing stock allowed to be developed within the City. As defined by Daniel Parolek from Opticos Design, missing middle housing is often used to identify the range of housing types that fall between single-family homes and sizeable multiunit apartment buildings.

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

Next Steps and How You Can Participate

All of these modifications are suggestions in line with the Planning Commission's goals and objectives and are still subject to change at this time. Please stay engaged with the Planning Commission by attending meetings, emailing commissioners, and attending public engagement events.

MASTER PLAN REWRITE

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Neighborhood Listening Sessions: April 19, 20, & 22

Neighborhood residents are invited to attend listening sessions on April 19th & 20th. Nine sessions will be hosted in person at various locations near residential neighborhoods. Two virtual sessions will be hosted on Saturday, April 22nd. Please attend and share YOUR IDEAS for what should be preserved, enhanced, or transformed in your neighborhood! Not able to attend any sessions? A follow up survey will be published!

Focus Areas Design Workshop: April 26

On April 26th you are invited to attend a design workshop for several focus areas in Traverse City. These areas include 14th Street, Garfield Avenue, Munson Avenue, and the 8th Street and Garfield Avenue intersection. The design workshop will ask you to reimagine what these focus areas could look like and how you see them functioning in the future. The workshop will be held at Hickory Hills Lodge and drop-in hours are from 4pm – 6pm. We look forward to seeing you there and hearing your ideas!

NEIGHBORHOOD LISTENING SESSIONS

IN PERSON SESSIONS

APRIL 19

Morgan Farms

9 - 10 am

Hickory Hills Lodge

Central Neighborhood

10:30 - 11:30 am

Redeemer Church

SoFo, Fernwood, Top of the Hill

12 - 1 pm

Grand Traverse Circuit

Old Town, Midtown, Lake Ridge

1 - 2 pm

Commongrounds

IN PERSON SESSIONS

APRIL 20

Slabtown, Kids Creek

9 - 10 am

Traverse Bay United Methodist Church

Boardman, Oak Park

10:30 -11:30 am

Raduno

BOOM, Base of the Peninsula

12 - 1pm

NMC, Scholar's Hall

Oakwood, Triangle

1:30 - 2:30 pm

Mundos HQ

NoBo, Traverse Heights

3 - 4 pm

VIRTUAL SESSIONS

APRIL 22

Open To All Neighborhoods

Session 1

9 - 10:30 am

Participation Link 

Session 2

10:30 am - Noon

Participation Link 

LEAF PICK UP EXTENDED

Leaf Pick Up has been extended and a second pass will begin on Monday, April 17th. The program will begin on the west side, moving eastward and should move quickly. Leaves should be raked out in front of your house no later than April 16th.

Please note that the additional pass scheduled is for leaves only. The one pass for brush pick up will remain in effect.

If you miss your chance, Grand Traverse County's Brush Drop Off Site opened on April 11th. The Brush Drop Off Site is located at 2471 N. Keystone Road. Call (231) 941- 5555 for hours and more information.

SEWER RELOCATION PROJECT

Beginning April 10th, the Sewer Relocation Project kicked off in the 100 Block North Alley of East Front Street between N. Union Street and N. Cass Street.

The Boardman River Wall Stabilization and Sewer Relocation Project is the first project of the City’s The Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) Five Year Project Plan. The total estimated cost of potential improvements is $28,734,260 over a 5 year period.

The sewer relocation is anticipated to be substantially complete by the end of the day on Monday, May 29, 2023. Portions of the alley will be closed for the Sanitary Sewer Relocation Project. Through traffic and public parking will not be accessible during the duration of the project. Access to the pedestrian bridge will be disrupted during portions of the project.

IN THE COMMUNITY

TRAVERSE CITY LIGHT & POWER  

RECOGNIZED FOR RELIABLE ELECTRIC SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

Congratulations to Traverse City Light & Power on receiving national recognition for achieving exceptional electric reliability in 2022. The recognition comes from the American Public Power Association (APPA), a trade group that represents more than 2,000 not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities. 

APPA helps electric utilities track power outages and restoration data through its subscription-based eReliability Tracker service. Once per year, APPA’s Reliability Team compares this data to national statistics tracked by the U.S. Energy Information Administration for all types of electric utilities.