Preview the Grand Vision

a news release of The Grand Vision

It's time for you to be one of the first to get a sneak preview of the Grand Vision draft.

Leaders of the Grand Vision are inviting area residents to look over and comment on the first draft of the project's 50 year, citizen-based, regional land use and transportation plan on February 4 from 3:00-7:30 PM at the Hagerty Center - 715 E. Front St. - on Northwestern Michigan College's Great Lakes Campus, in Traverse City.

There will be formal 15 minute presentations by the consultants at 4:15, 5:15 and 6:15 followed by question and answer periods. There will also be tables that you may join designed for discussions of specific issues such as housing and transportation.

Additionally - The first draft of the "Grand Vision" will also be unveiled in Antrim, Wexford, Benzie, Kalkaska and Leelanau Counties prior to their February planning commission meetings. Those presentations, and opportunities for comments and questions from the public, are scheduled as follows:

• Tuesday, February 3, 6 PM - Antrim County Building
• Wednesday, February 11, 6 PM - Wexford County Lake Street Building
• Thursday, February 12, 6 PM - Benzie County Government Building (lower level)
• Wednesday, February 18, 6 PM - Kalkaska County Building (the Grand Vision presentation will be on the Planning Commission's agenda)
• Tuesday, February 24, 7 PM - Leelanau County Government Center - presentation will be on the Planning Commission agenda.

In addition to unveiling the Grand Vision, you are also being invited to submit your opinions and feedback on the first draft of the Grand Vision. Forms to do so will be available at the open house, at the county meetings, and online.

See The Grand Vision
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Grand Vision Survey Resuts Say Stop Sprawl

from a news article of Traverse City Record-Eagle, "Grand Vision survey results are in," by Melissa Domsic, Dec 20, 2008 mdomsic@record-eagle.com

The Grand Vision has been hailed as one of the most publicly supported surveys in the nation concerning the growth of the Grand Traverse Area.

Now the results are in. People was growth contained more to urban areas, and sprawl to be minimized. People want expanded public transportation, more sidewalks and bike trails.

More than 12,000 people in the six counties in the Traverse City area completed the scorecard for the Grand Vision. There is a great desire to preserve the small-town character, and restrict sprawl. Towns like Suttons Bay, Elk Rapids, or Kingsley have their own unique flavor, and that should remain unchanged.

"The preferred scenario keeps a small urban footprint with growth in villages and cities and preservation of open rural space."

"It is clear that people do not want the future to simply be a continuation of the patterns seen today which could result in additional sprawl, loss of rural lifestyle and potential decay of the towns and villages," the report stated.

Of the four scenarios on the scorecard, Scenario C garnered 51% (5,946) of the votes. It reads: "Growth centered in cities and villages, especially in Traverse City and Cadillac. Open rural land will be largely preserved. Expanded regional bus service, sidewalks and bike paths in villages and cities but limited new or widened roads."

See Grand Traverse Grand Vision Includes Trails
See Say Your Vision Includes Trails
See The Grand Vision
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Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
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Grand Traverse Area - Just a Few Days Left to Say Your Vision Includes Trails

The Grand Vision for Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, and Wexford Counties has been praised by many agencies, legislators, and planning leaders for the participation level of the public.

If you live in any of those six counties, you have until October 28th to fill out your scorecard.

In order for the questions on the scorecard to make sense you need to spend some time looking at the extensive Grand Vision web site. Basically there are four different scenarios for how regional planners can design superstructures to promote a certain growth pattern for the region. You will be asked to rate these four plans as to your opinion of how well they promote various goals.

The next questions are pertinent to those of us who value muscle-powered methods of recreation and transportation. You will be asked to say how strongly you agree or disagree with the following questions:

• I think transportation investments should prioritize new and widened roads.
• I think new transportation investments should include biking and walking facilities, even if it means some roads aren't widened.
• I think new transportation investments should include enhanced transit, including in-town buses and regional bus service, even if it means some roads aren't widened.
• I think increased traffic congestion in our cities and villages would be okay if I could park once and walk to shops, jobs, schools and parks.
• I would consider living in a neighborhood with smaller yards and some multi-family buildings if it meant that I could walk or ride my bike to shops, jobs, schools and parks.

Please don't discount the value of your one voice. Take a few minutes this weekend and participate in the Grand Vision.

See The Grand Vision
These links are checked on the date of the article. As the article ages, some links may become invalid

Go To www.getoffthecouchnews.blogspot.com for all the news
See Get Off The Couch