12/17/2006

TWENTYsomething

'Small town character' must go

By Beth Milligan
Local columnist

A few columns ago, I wrote about the need for more Americans (particularly young people) to get involved in the political process. (Read the column here)

Whether on a national level or a local one, it's important that our voices are heard.

Putting my money where my mouth is, I attended the downtown development forum last week to learn more about issues facing future growth in Traverse City. What I learned in that meeting was so pivotal to our community that I believe it should be analyzed and debated by every resident of TC.

This column is the first in a three-part series that will explore in-depth the topics discussed at that forum.

A panel of guests ranging from developers and city officials to citizen representatives held court for over two hours at the Hagerty Center on Dec. 5. A microphone was passed around the room so that attendees could directly question the panelists.

My two friends and I were easily the youngest people there; in fact, it seemed we were the only people there under 30. This was unfortunate, because throughout the forum there was a strong correlation between some of the older age groups and the room's more uncompromising viewpoints. A younger demographic might have helped create more balance.

Most of the evening's debate centered around the term "small town character,” a vague concept incorporated into city planning that refers to the unique elements of Traverse City. Exactly what those elements are, however, has never been specified.

After a number of people expressed fear that Traverse City was moving away from the town they've always known and loved, my friend Megan wryly remarked that "small town character” seemed to be people wanting Traverse City to look like it did 20 years ago when they came here on vacation. It is an emotional term — one that hardly anyone in the room could define, but would seem to "know it when they saw it.”

The idea that such an intangible concept should be included in — even guide — the language of the city plan is inexplicable at best. City Planner Russ Soyring agreed, noting that the city plan is currently being re-drafted and if "small town character” were to be included again, it would need to be precisely defined.

I wasn't familiar with this term until that evening. The confusion it has generated, however, was immediately apparent. Its ambiguity allows decisions for city development to be based on emotion, rather than logic; the public may oppose new parking garages or building proposals, for example, because tall buildings and parking decks seem antithetical to a "small town” vibe. But that overlooks the fact that it is quite possible to include these structures in our downtown without compromising its local feel. In fact, if done properly, such additions could actually facilitate and enhance the downtown experience.

What happens, I asked the panel, if the Traverse City Film Festival or the National Cherry Festival continues to draw increasing numbers of tourists each summer, and there is not sufficient parking in town to support the traffic? Are we missing an opportunity by making downtown development so prohibitively expensive and difficult that companies are turning away and seeking to establish their businesses elsewhere? These are serious issues that need addressing if we are to maintain the vitality of our downtown district, as well as protect our local economy (which depends largely on tourism) from collapsing.

The first step in developing a new city plan should be for us, as a community, to articulate the elements we want to see included in a clear and well-defined manner, and open the table for discussion on new ideas from there. Do we want to ensure that downtown continues to be pedestrian-friendly? That there are plenty of parks and open spaces and public restrooms?

These are concrete goals that can be incorporated into our strategy. The ideas "small town character” represents can (and should) remain an integral aspect of our city planning, but the term itself needs to go.

Once we've removed emotionally loaded language from our dialogue, we will better be able to pinpoint ways to protect our local heritage while also embracing new downtown development and growth.

Coming next: How to create affordable housing in TC and attract younger families to the area; and proposals for the area that came out of the meeting, along with ways for locals to get involved and keep track of what's going on.

Reach Beth Milligan care of the Record-Eagle, 120 W. Front St., Traverse City, MI 49685; or send e-mail to: beth.milligan@gmail.com.Visit her blog, www.myspace.com/bethmilligan