Planning & Development

Check out this Video about the Land Bank Authority's efforts on Boardman Lake Trail!



For the full video on Land Banks throughout Michigan click here.

Planning & Development Department staff is committed to providing professional expertise and service to the people of Grand Traverse County. The Department provides staff support to the Planning Commission, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Economic Development Corporation, Land Bank Authority and Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board. Based on sound planning principles and ethics, the mission of the Planning & Development Department is to assist the County in the development and implementation of its vision and support its respective boards and commissions by:

• Facilitating a community-based structure for creating and promoting plans so they are broadly used as the basis for all future decision making;
• Pursuing opportunities for implementation of projects consistent with the County's vision;
• Helping the County achieve a higher level of understanding and commitment towards its potential;
• Developing partnerships with other departments and agencies to achieve common goals;
• Nurturing public trust and community involvement by conducting all efforts in an open, accessible manner.

Special Recognition:

Congratulations to Jean Derenzy, Deputy Director of Planning and Development for being selected by MDEQ Director Dan Wyant, Governor Rick Snyder and Director of MSU Extension, Tom Coon, to be a leader in the Collaborative Stakeholders Initiative (CSI), Michigan’s Environmental Clean-up and Redevelopment program. CSI’s mission is to develop focused recommendations to issues facing Michigan’s Brownfield programs and foster an improved climate of trust, cultural understanding and cooperation among stakeholders and state agency staff.

Congratulations to Jeff Vitton, Planner for being chosen to serve on the 21^st Century State Government Advisory Council formed to follow and understand the continual technical innovations and provide feedback to the State of Michigan Chief Information Officer on how changes in technology impact Michiganders’ perceptions and expectations of government.

Staff: John Sych, AICP, Director jsych@grandtraverse.org Jean Derenzy, Deputy Director jderenzy@grandtraverse.org Virginia (Ginny) Coulter, Housing Coordinator vcoulter@grandtraverse.org Jeff Vitton, Planner jvitton@grandtraverse.org Midge Werner, Planning Technician mwerner@grandtraverse.org Karen McIntyre, Planning Technician kmcintyr@grandtraverse.org	Office Hours and Location: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (231) 922-4676 3rd Floor of the Governmental Center 400 Boardman Avenue Traverse City, MI 49684