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DevelopMentor

DevelopMentor is a turn-key package of multiple resource tools that can be used by communities who want to proactively address land use, growth and development issues. Administered by the Traverse Bay Economic Development Corporation, it is comprised of seasoned professionals who have extensive knowledge and who subscribe to the principles found in the New Designs for Growth Development Guidebook.  The panel meets with developers early in the process in a round-table forum. As a community service, they offer suggestions and examples of how Guidebook principles can be incorporated into a project.

For more information, please contact the Traverse Bay EDC.

Mission

To provide a practical and proactive forum that will promote development in the region that is consistent with the principles found in the New Designs for Growth (NDFG) Development Guidebook. 

Intent and Purpose

  • To have development projects conform to the tenets and principles of the NDFG Guidebook
  • To be a free, advisory resource for land developers and owners that imparts value to projects based on adherence to Guidebook tenets and principles
  • To encourage more development projects to participate in the DevelopMentor review
  • To provide DevelopMentor review of projects earlier in the development process

Types of Review Available

  • Core Group review by five seasoned and non-conflicted planning professionals exercising the greatest degree of confidentiality at an early stage in the project, evaluating adherence to Guidebook principles and asking challenging questions about location and master plan and zoning ordinance conformance
  • Full Panel review by a multi-disciplined team of up to 30 development experts (planners, architects, landscape architects, environmentalists, developers, bankers, land use attorneys, and realtors) employing charrette and site plan review techniques while adhering to established confidentiality and ethics requirements.

Other Functions

  • Training and Certification of design firms and members of the development community
  • Promotion and marketing of DevelopMentor services to members of the development community, land owners, and local units of government
  • The establishment of professional relationships with design firms, developers, and land owners

Core Team Members

These individuals have responsibility for program oversight, coordition, and Core Group reviews

  • Fred Hoisington, Co-chair, 40 plus years as a land planning consultant and municipal planner
  • Ed Bailey, Co-chair, 20 years of experience as a land developer and NMC campus planner
  • Bob Bach, 40 plus years as a land planning consultant and municipal planner
  • Terry Clark, 40 years as a township planning commissioner and practicing architect
  • John Olson, 40 years as a real estate associate broker with land development experience

More Value Factors

  • Quick response to developer needs, not another layer of bureaucratic approvals
  • The issuance of advisory conclusions pertaining to conformance with Guidebook principles.  Such conclusions do not constitute a recommendation of approval by DevelopMentor

DevelopMentor Certified Design Firms