Master Plan Rewrite
City Planning
Phone
(231) 922-4778
Project Timeline
Start: Summer 2022
Completion:
August 2024
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 were approved in August 2024 by the Planning Commission.
Master Plan Supplemental Report
Master Plan Survey: July 2024
Information Published Soon!
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
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.
How does the Master Plan relate to Zoning?
The Master Plan is not a binding agreement but rather a planning framework. The Zoning Ordinance, on the other hand, is local land use law. The Zoning Ordinance is a set of regulations that provide exacting specifications as to how and where development may take place. The Zoning Ordinance implements the Master Plan; and, as outlined in the MPEA, a direct relationship between the two documents is required. For example, if it emerges through community engagement and research that the housing types available do not adequately serve the population, a municipality would revisit the Zoning Ordinance to determine if the land use code is preventing a particular type of development through height restrictions or lot size requirements. Only when the two documents are in sync can they be effective planning tools.
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