City of Traverse City Announces Appointment of Claire Karner as Planning Director
The City of Traverse City is pleased to announce the appointment of Claire Karner, AICP, as its new Planning Director. Karner brings more than 15 years of experience in municipal planning, zoning, community development, transportation, and public engagement to the role.
Karner joins the City from East Bay Charter Township, where she has served as Director of Planning and Zoning since 2019. In that role, she directs the Township’s planning, zoning, economic development, and long-range planning functions; advises public boards and commissions; oversees development review and zoning administration; and leads implementation of community development initiatives.
“Claire Karner, raised in Traverse City, will make an excellent Planning Director and I'm looking forward to her leadership of our Planning and Zoning Department. In this fantastic community where there are passionate and divergent points of view about its future, Claire Karner's professional experience, ability to stay engaged in difficult conversations, capacity to listen, and willingness to adapt will serve the City well and respectfully. As we move to a culture firmly rooted in feedback and collaboration in all forms, I'm excited to have Ms. Karner join our team and continue that momentum,” said City Manager Benjamin Marentette.
During her tenure with East Bay Charter Township, Karner directed development and adoption of the Township’s 2023 Master Plan, led a comprehensive rewrite of its Zoning Ordinance, helped establish the East Bay Beach District Corridor Improvement Authority, and lead a team that secured more than $12 million in competitive grant funding for transportation, trails, economic development, placemaking, civic infrastructure, and planning initiatives.
Karner also brings extensive experience in transportation and mobility planning, with a particular focus on multimodal connectivity, pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure, Safe Routes to School initiatives, and expanding transportation options that improve access for people of all ages and abilities.
"Claire brings a strong combination of planning experience, leadership, and an understanding of the Traverse City community to this role,” said Deputy City Manager Valarie Handy. “Her background in transportation and mobility planning will be especially valuable as the City continues to address how land use, housing, transportation, and infrastructure work together. Her familiarity with the community, paired with her professional experience, position her well to lead the Planning and Zoning Department and advance the City’s long-term priorities.”
Prior to joining East Bay Charter Township, Karner served as an Associate Planner with Beckett & Raeder, Inc., where she worked with northern Michigan communities on master plans, zoning ordinance updates, strategic planning, parks and recreation planning, and community visioning. She previously worked as a Community Planner with the Land Information Access Association and as Mobility Coordinator for Lane Transit District in Eugene, Oregon.
Karner holds a Master of Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Natural Resources and Environment, with a concentration in Land Use Planning, from the University of Michigan. She has been certified by the American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) since 2015 and is also certified by the National Charrette Institute.
“I am truly grateful for this opportunity to serve as Planning Director for the City of Traverse City. Traverse City is the community where I grew up and where I am now raising my family, so the opportunity to give back to a place that has been home for so much of my life is incredibly meaningful to me. I look forward to learning from the community, working alongside residents and community partners, and supporting the implementation of recent community initiatives, including the Strategic Action Plan, Master Plan, and Mobility Action Plan,” stated Karner.
In 2026, Karner received the Michigan Association of Planning’s Planning Leadership Award, recognizing her professional planning work. Her community and professional involvement includes service with the Cherry Capital Airport Joint Zoning Commission, HomeStretch Board of Directors, Traverse Transportation Coordinating Initiative Technical Committee, Northwest Regional Airport Authority Zoning Board, and Northwest Regional Child Care Planning Coalition. The Michigan Association of Planning specifically highlighted her work advancing multimodal transportation and trail development in East Bay Township.
As Planning Director, Karner will lead the City’s Planning and Zoning Department and support the City’s work related to long-range planning, land use and zoning, development review, community engagement, and implementation of the City’s Master Plan and Strategic Action Plan.
Karner will begin serving as Planning Director on Monday, October 19, 2026.
For more information, contact the City Manager’s Office at (231) 922-4440.