May & June 2007

Granny-flat decision delayed
Over fifty people came to voice their opinion on the issue of "accessory dwelling units" - otherwise known as ADUs or granny flats - in Traverse City Wednesday night, but the Planning Commission elected to postpone the decision. 

Park service revamps planning process
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is back at work on a management plan that it hopes to put into action - unlike in 2002, when public outcry halted the process. This time around, the park has changed how it gathers public input. Public Information Officer Bruce Huffman talks about how the public's say is being gathered about a plan that will change Sleeping Bear for years to come.

Unprecedented Joint Planning Effort Gains Momentum in Northern Michigan
A master plan for Bear Lake is in the works. Harry Burkholder, who is active in this process, reports on how this rare example of cooperation is helping to provide for basic services, preserve natural resources and effectively plan for development.

No mere pipe dreams
Local author Andrew Riutta profiles Lewis Sawaquat, a Harbor Springs-born elder of the Grand Traverse Band who is their unofficial dream interpreter. A surveyor by trade, Sawaquat is also an award-winning essayist, and former cultural traditionalist for the Grand Traverse Band. And he still interprets dreams. Find out why.

May Days: Now for some real street theatre
With the Earth Day Parade done and a success, organizer Penny Kriebehl decides to go on a road trip to (where else?) Minneapolis. There she joined the Heart of the Beast Theatre in putting on their May Day parade. And her dog went along for the ride...

Not your grandfather's transportation planning
As we all know, Michigan only has two seasons...winter and orange barrels. Matt McCauley, Associate Director for Regional Planning & Community Development, Northwest Michigan Council of Governments on the new transportation planning.

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