Michigan Land Use Institute’s Smart Growth Coalition targets Leelanau County

By Jacob Wheeler
Sun editor
It’s a common misconception. Smart growth does not mean no growth. So forget nightmarish images of tree-hugging activists tearing up infrastructure and highways to rid the land of mankind’s tracks. Throw out that loaded word, communist, too. The Michigan Land Use Institute has no intention of gobbling up tracts of privately owned land for some centralized, totalitarian state.

The Beulah-based MLUI and its new locally focused initiative — the Leelanau Smart Growth Coalition — seeks to empower citizens to help thoughtfully guide development, themselves, by teaching them how to use zoning laws and public awareness as tools to preserve the spirit and vitality of their communities even as growth in northern Michigan surges inevitably forward. Green spaces, bike lanes, affordable housing and public access to what we cherish most in this beautiful part of the world are all trademarks of smart growth.
Leelanau County is the obvious focus for the MLUI’s Smart Growth Coalition, which will hold a public meeting at Cherry Republic, in Glen Arbor, from 9-10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 20. The area we call home is changing faster than anywhere in the Midwest, as our pristine lakes, beaches and sunsets attract the eyes of tourists and developers alike.
The gathering in the heart of Glen Arbor will present an opportunity for newcomers to learn more about the coalition and the issues they’re undertaking, voice concerns, get involved and rally together as a community. Complimentary coffee and cherry breakfast treats will be available as Smart Growth Coalition Director Jim Lively and Cherry Republic President and MLUI Board Chairman Bob Sutherland discuss several of the peninsula’s top land use issues — such as the “new urbanist housing” neighborhood in Empire, and whether to move the county courthouse out of downtown Leland.
“Leelanau County is a great place to launch an initiative like the coalition,” says Johanna Miller, Smart Growth Coalition Project Organizer. “People obviously care quite a bit about preserving their community’s characteristics and natural resources. And they should. This county is one of the most beautiful counties in the nation, but it’s changing rapidly. If we’re not careful, we could ruin the very resources and qualities that draw people to this area.” Miller grew up in the Glen Arbor area, and has returned to help protect her community after studying at Northern Michigan University and the University of Vermont.
“We’re not anti-development. We’re in favor of development that fits into the community’s vision of where and how it wants to grow. We think that smart growth gives people choices, by promoting development within villages and making them attractive places to live and protecting our rural areas.
Miller continues, “Communities should be safe and walk-able, with easy access to public services, friends, neighbors, and in the case of Leelanau County, the beach.”
The “New Neighborhood” village in Empire, spearheaded by Sutherland, may be the perfect example of how Smart Growth’s vision can foster new development that doesn’t compromise the benefits of small-town life. Affordable housing lots located just across M-72 from the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Visitor Center are going for about $50,000 a piece. Factor in another $100-150,000 to build a home, and you’ve got a viable way to live in downtown Empire, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, hair salons and a fantastic public beach on Lake Michigan — even if you don’t come from a family with “old money.”
Empire also recently decided to retain its original streetscape plan, which will protect the quaint sidewalks and lush trees along the village’s main streets and help to keep traffic moving slowly. Community leaders, including village zoning administrator Lea Ann Sterling, village board member Ryan Deering and township clerk Christine Neiswonger all played integral roles in rallying Empire to protect its downtown. The Michigan Land Use Institute’s Smart Growth Coalition supported their efforts to uphold their community’s vision for a green, walkable downtown by helping facilitate an informational meeting on the issue just prior to the Village Council’s decision.
“Lea Ann came to us and asked us to get involved,” says Miller. “We helped by providing information and technical expertise on how other communities are benefiting from narrower streets to help slow traffic and protecting their community character by preserving green space and trees.
“That’s the way we want the Smart Growth Coalition to work — powered by citizen energy, but with us supporting people’s efforts and helping to raise awareness and build the capacity of citizens to engage more effectively on land use issues in their community.”
Other towns could learn much from Empire, and its smart zoning policies. Though overshadowed by the glitz and money of, say, Glen Arbor, Empire boasts a sizeable and excellent public beach that includes volleyball and basketball courts, public bathrooms, South Bar Lake (for the warm-blooded) and even a trophy anchor display. Empire’s downtown is also much greener, and quieter, than Glen Arbor’s bustling shopping district, where the inception of cellular phone towers and luxurious resorts have raised more than a few eyebrows in recent years.
Smart Growth is blossoming in Empire, and the Michigan Land Use Institute hopes the westerly winds will spread its seeds elsewhere as well.