TART IMPROVEMENT & EXTENSION PROJECT

$500,000 RAP GRANT AWARDED

In 2022, the City initiated the TART Improvement and Extension Project, located between West End Beach and the intersection of Peninsula and Eastern Avenue. The section of non-motorized trail between West End Beach and Murchie Bridge serves as confluence of the regional trail network for both transportation and recreation, providing a junction for the TART, Leelanau Trail, and the Boardman Lake Loop Trail. Extending the trail to Eastern Avenue will serve as a critical connector to the City center for the east side of the City and Old Mission Peninsula.

Phase 1

In October 2023, TART Trails was awarded a $500,000 grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporations RAP 2.0 Program. In addition, the City Commission, in June 2023, approved an allocation of $421,449 for the project, contingent upon successfully being awarded the above-mentioned grant. The funding will be allocated to Phase 1 of the project, which includes the following:

• Sunset Park to Senior Center: Connecting the public properties with an improved trail
• Clinch Park to Murchie Bridge: Improved section of aging asphalt trail
• Division to Hall Street: Trail construction along the southern portion of Grandview Parkway

A Request for Proposals is intended to be issued in winter 2024 and construction for Phase 1 of the project is being targeted for 2024.

CHRISTMAS TREE

DROP OFF SITE

The Christmas Tree drop off site is available for City residents. Please be sure that trees are free of all decorations, tinsel, etc. so they can be properly mulched and reused in nature. Trees may be dropped off at the boat launch parking lot in Hull Park.

Fun Fact: Trees are chipped and used for trail surfacing in City parks and the Brown Bridge Quiet area, mulching material, and erosion control.

ELECTION 2024 UPDATE

Election season is underway, marked by the upcoming Presidential Primary Election scheduled for February 27, 2024.

For individuals enrolled in the Permanent Ballot List, it is required to complete a Ballot Selection Form to receive the issuance of an Absentee Ballot for the February election. The City has recently sent Ballot Selection Forms via mail to all eligible voters on the Permanent Ballot List.

JNQ VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Our partners at the VASA Ski Club will host the Junior National Qualifier CXC race at Hickory Hills on January 27 & 28.

Please consider volunteering to ensure a smooth and successful event that supports youth athletes in their competitive endeavors. Volunteers are needed in various capacities, from course setup, teardown, and registration.

HICKORY HILLS OPENS FOR THE SEASON

OPENING DAY IS JANUARY 19TH

Hickory Hills will open for the season on Friday, January 19, 2024, at 3:30 pm. Runs open are Fast Tammy, Magna Carta, Swede, and Waterfall. We are anticipating an opening of Birch and Jack's Trail soon! Weather permitting, the season will extend this year until March 24th, offering an extended opportunity for outdoor winter activities and enjoyment on our slopes. Get ready for an exciting and prolonged winter season at Hickory Hills!

SHORT TERM RENTALS

PLANNING COMMISSION DISCUSSION ON LIMITATIONS

The City continues to engage in extensive discussions regarding the multifaceted challenges posed by our community's housing crisis, encompassing both availability and affordability. Recognizing that no singular action can serve as a comprehensive solution, it was acknowledged last year that the Planning Commission's jurisdiction primarily extends to land use, influencing availability and, in turn, potentially addressing affordability through supply and demand dynamics.

Most recently, the Planning Commission has concentrated its efforts on zoning reform within the R-1, R-2, and R-3 districts to address housing concerns. Concurrently, the City Commission has been focusing on affordability by implementing Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOTS), adopting a new PILOT ordinance uncoupled from the required Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), and exploring City properties suitable for affordable housing. Anticipating further initiatives enabled by state legislative efforts, the City aims to enhance affordability while also indirectly impacting housing availability.

When assessing housing availability, the Planning Commission has explored the possibility of introducing limitations on short-term rentals in districts currently lacking such restrictions. While successful recommendations have been applied to the C-1, C-2, and D-2 districts, several other districts still permit 100% of dwellings for such use. In their meeting on January 17, 2024, the Planning Commission deliberated on establishing a diverse committee and conducting a joint meeting with the City Commission. The aim is to delve deeper into the prospect of implementing a cap on the percentage of dwellings allowed for short-term rentals within a building.

Following is a list of districts and the percent of dwellings in a building that may be used for the short term rental purpose:

C-1 25%

C-2 25%

C-3 100%

C-4 100%

D-1 100%

D-2 25%

D-3 100%

HR 100%

I 100%

IN THE COMMUNITY

TCFD TRAINING

The City has announced plans for the demolition of a City owned building situated near the Union Street Dam, paving the way for collaborative training opportunities with the Traverse City Fire Department (TCFD).

This past week, TCFD utilized the building slated for demolition for "destructive training." This involves the use of forcible entry tools, power saws and other tools to train in the area of job performance requirements that will result in irreparable damage to walls, ceilings, floors and roofs of structures that are scheduled for tear down and removal.