Master Plan Rewrite
City Planning
Phone
(231) 922-4460
Project Timeline
Start: Summer 2022
Anticipated Completion:
Summer 2024
Leadership Team Meetings
In 2022, the City initiated the process to rewrite the Master Plan and formulate a Mobility Action Plan. After several months in 2022 and 2023 of active public engagement, both the Master Plan and Moblity Action Plan have been drafted as of March 2024.
Draft Master Plan Supplemental Report
Fall 2022 Community Engagement
Fall 2022 Community Engagement Report
February 2023 Planning or Tourism Workshop
Planning for Tourism Recording of Virtual Session on February 21
April 2023 Neighborhood Listening Sessions
Spring 2023 Neighborhood Listening Session Engagement Report
Planning Commission Review
April 2: Master Plan
- Housing & Neighborhoods, Transportation, Infrastructure & Energy
April 9: Master Plan
- Existing Land Uses, Sustainability, Health & Safety, Arts & Culture, Economic Development, Tourism, Plan Review
April 16: Mobility Action Plan
April 23: Mobility Action Plan
April 30: Master Plan - Magazine, Community Engagement
May 7 (Tentative)
- Wrap up both plans and move to City Commission
Process & Next Steps
Summer/Fall/Winter 2023
- Finalized Drafting Chapters
February 2024: Staff Review
- Staff review of of Draft Master Plan with Leadership Team edits completed
March 2024: MP Leadership Team & City Leadership Review
- Updated draft distributed to City Manager, department heads, and MP Leadership Team
- MP Leadership Team will meet March 20 for final review and send the draft to the Planning Commission
March - May 2024: Planning Commission Review
- Draft MAP & MP distributed to Planning Commission
- Planning Commission review meetings: April 2, 9, 16, 23, and May 7
- Distribute to City Commission
May - July 2024: City Commission Distribution, Review, and Public Open House
- City Commission, through resolution, opens the mandatory 63-day public review period for the planning document (PA 33 of 2008). This is a required step and not an endorsement of the planning document
- City Commission will review the planning document during this time
- Public Open House to be schedule between June 17 - 28
June - August 2024: Planning Commission Review, Public Hearing, and Adoption
- Planning Commission will review public input and make changes as deemed necessary
- Required public hearing August 7. Planning Commission may adopt the planning document after the hearing
- State statute (PA 33 of 2008) requires a resolution and 2/3 affirmative vote of the Planning Commission for adoption
August - September 2024
- State statute does not require the legislative body to adopt a master plan, but does allow them to do so through ordinance, which the City has enacted
- Introduced to City Commission August 19
- Adoption through resolution September 3 with a majority vote required
Project Background
A Master Plan is a comprehensive long-term planning document that serves as a strategic framework to guide decision-making related to land use, infrastructure, transportation, zoning, economic development, and other aspects of urban or regional development. Key features of a Master Plan often include land-use maps, policies, and recommendations to help manage growth, promote sustainability, and ensure efficient resource allocation.
The City’s current Master Plan was adopted in 2009, and updated/amended in 2017. The Michigan Planning Enabling Act (MPEA), Public Act 33 of 2008, as amended, requires that a Planning Commission review its Master Plan every five years, and decide whether to amend the existing document or adopt a new document.
The City issued a Request for Proposals in early 2022 and selected Becket & Raeder as the consultant to rewrite the City’s Master Plan. Becket & Raeder brings along local consultants PlaceCraft and Great Blue Orange to manage the community engagement portion of the project.
The document will guide policy to help create a vision of what the future will look like in relation to land use development and preservation. The City intends to work with the consultant tol implement a robust public engagement plan to develop a community vision with programmatic goals and recommendations for planning and zoning.
In addition to the Master Plan Rewrite process, a Mobility Action Plan is also being developed.
Desired Master Plan Content and Format
The new Master Plan is envisioned to be both a physical plan and a policy guide for staff and decision makers to guide community development for the next 30 years. It should address:
- Housing and Affordability
- Land Use Patterns and Intensities
- Economic Development, Job Growth, and Economic Resiliency
- Cultural and Historic Resources
- Recreation and Civic Spaces
- Community Services and Facilities
- Transportation and Circulation, including a Mobility/Bicycle Network Plan
- Sustainability, Natural Resources, Water and Energy
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity
- Incorporation of the Village of Grand Traverse Commons, which has its own Master Plan, within the broader framework of the City.
- Priority redevelopment areas
- Action plan implementation table and zoning plan
- Requirements of MEDC’s Redevelopment Ready Communities
Master Plan Leadership Team Members
- Daren Dixon, Traverse City Light & Power
- Frank Dituri, City of Traverse City/DPS
- Debbie Hershey, Planning Commission
- Art Krueger, City of Traverse City, DMU
- Mary Mills, City Resident
- Claire Karner, City Resident
- Shawn Winter, City of Traverse City, City Planner
- Colleen Paveglio, City of Traverse City, Communications Manager
- Harry Burkholder, DDA, COO
- Mi Stanley, City Commission
- City of Traverse City, City Engineer
- Jeanine Easterday, City Resident
- Mitchell Treadwell, City Commission
- TCAPS Student Liaison