AND ATTEND THE FEB 8 TC CITY COMMISSION MEETING (7pm, Governmental Center on Boardman Ave).

http://www.ci.traverse-city.mi.us/City_Commission/

Jonathan, I’m not sure yet. I’m trying to find out more today as there were at least 3 commissioners looking into it, as well as some ‘stakeholder’groups. First thing to do is to Spread the Word…no one is aware of it.

Typical situation: fear of losing stimulus/grant/MDOT money if changes are made or delays requested and lack of anyone understanding that there are options. There are always options. It’s a choice.

Brad, we could use Ned’s prayers.

“Good codes are the foundation upon which great communities are built. They are the framework that regulates where and what type of development may occur. Codes guide everything from permissible land uses, to building densities, locations, and setbacks, to street widths and parking requirements. When done well, codes make it easier for a community to implement its vision. However, when they are out of date or don’t line up with the community’s vision, codes can actually keep communities from getting the development they want.”

The USEPA site provides examples of codes that “support smart growth development” which were implemented into communities across the country. For example; in Aurora, CO the city commission voted to adopt the “Urban Street Standards: In Transit Oriented Developments and Urban Centers” code. The “Street Cross Section Elements” section of the Aurora code states: “A minimum bicycle lane width of five feet (seven feet including the gutter pan) should be provided.”

There are a lot of great examples of NEW and UP-TO-DATE codes from all around our country listed on the above mentioned EPA website.
…I’m wondering what does it take to implement new “codes” or policies that stick? Is it like the the Federal government; where it takes 5 years to implement a new idea, and then POOF! new leaders meander in and the ideas slowly dissolve, the idea changes, nothing happens, etc.