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New Designs For Growth 
Scenic views, spectacular bays, inviting lakes and streams, miles of shoreline, year-round recreational options, clean air, small town friendliness and overall quality of life…these are some of the many attributes stimulating rapid growth in the Grand Traverse Bay region. The vision of New Designs for Growth is to address this development expansion and help the region prosper in a way that protects the natural resources, scenic beauty, rural landscape and unique character of each community within the area.
As a model grassroots effort which began in 1992 under the auspices of the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce, New Designs for Growth has been a guiding force that has helped to shape commercial and residential developments. As a collaborative team of community volunteers, advocates, planning and design professionals, developers and governmental representatives, the initiative continues to help shape the future of this region, with support from the Traverse City Area Chamber Foundation and a grant from Rotary Charities of Traverse City.
What's New with New Designs for Growth
New Designs For Growth Goals
Following the Traverse City Area Chamber of Commerce’s goal to "preserve and enhance the quality of natural resources and environments as the basis of a healthy economy," New Designs for Growth uses the Grand Traverse Bay Region Development Guidebook as the primary tool for stewardship of the five county area. Soon to be updated and enhanced with a video, CD-ROM and website support, the guidebook can effectively assist smart growth and planning efforts using these objectives which have been tailored to our local needs:
- Protect the natural and rural landscape character of the region
- Demonstrate how development can complement the natural landscape, farmland and scenic views
- Provide better alternatives for conventional development practices
- Reduce visual pollution
- Encourage good design beyond legal restrictions and minimum standards
- Promote renovation of existing substandard sites to reduce their negative impacts
- Promote preservation and improvement of historical and cultural resources
- Encourage the preservation and enhancement of hamlets, villages, and neighborhoods
- Promote more effective communication of design principles
Ten Tenets for Smart Growth
New Designs for Growth goals dovetail perfectly with the statewide initiatives that are set forth through the Michigan Land Use Leadership Council’s Ten Tenets for Smart Growth:
- Create a range of housing opportunities and choices
- Create walkable neighborhoods
- Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration
- Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place
- Make development decision predictable, fair, and cost effective
- Mix land uses
- Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty and critical environmental areas
- Provide a variety of transportation choices
- Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities
- Take advantage of compact development designs
New Designs for Growth Development Guidebook
Building upon a fourteen year history, the New Designs for Growth Development Guidebook reflects the latest trends and best management practices in designing sustainable communities and regions. It includes guiding principles in accordance with Michigan Land Use Leadership Council and Smart Growth polices, as well as research from a wide range of stakeholders. It contains specific examples of development practices that preserve and protect valuable land resources, while at the same time promoting economic strength and viability. The Guidebook is available in print and CD versions. Click here to place an order.
Chamber Members receive a discount on the New Designs for Growth Development Guidebook three ring binder and CD.
Click here for discounted member rates. This entirely new publication replaces the Grand Traverse Bay Region Development Guidebook.
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