Two years ago, the City of Traverse City and the Charter Township of Garfield worked together to establish the Grand Traverse Commons Joint Planning Commission. The new commission was created to replace the oversight role of the Grand Traverse Commons Redevelopment Corporation. The new commission is taking a community-wide approach to planning - collaborating on land use issues of mutual concern. Home to the Munson Medical Center and the Village at Grand Traverse Commons (including Building 50), portions of the 484-acre campus lie within both the city and township. In fact, the jurisdictional boundary separating the two jurisdictions goes through the middle of one of the former state hospital buildings. One of the first tasks charged to the new commission is the development of a new master plan and zoning ordinance for the campus.

Community Update: In early January of 2010, both the City Commission and Township Board adopted formal resolutions of support for the adoption of the Grand Traverse Commons Master Plan. With the Master Plan in Place, the Joint Planning Commission is currently working to develop a new joint zoning ordinance.

For more information about this project and to view the Master Plan, please link to the Project Website.