Leaders in Emmet County's Bear Creek and Resort townships have dramatically slowed the state Department of Transportation's planning for the Petoskey bypass, enabling them to introduce ideas for workable alternatives. Their efforts have considerably advanced public understanding about the links between road building and sprawl. By focusing on saving money, neighborhoods, and farmland, local leaders found a way to block a bad idea and rally residents to support a better one. Their strategy can be used as a model in other rural communities by taking the following actions:
1). Establish historic agricultural preservation districts. Historic preservation laws give farmers legal clout to block highway construction and other large developments. Joe Hoffman Jr., whose family has farmed in the region since 1877, established the area's first such district. Bear Creek and Resort township leaders now are establishing historic districts that would include as many as a dozen other farmsteads, and thousands more acres.
2). Lobby Congress. Under the original 1988 legislation, Congress appropriated $28 million for a "bypass demonstration project" for Petoskey. Last year, the two townships convinced their Congressman, Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Menominee), to sponsor changes to the appropriation language which allows the money to be used for "upgrading existing roads." The amendment means that federal money now can be spent on an effective, less costly alternative.
3). Map out an alternative plan, and mobilize the public to support it. With the backing of the majority of their residents, the townships brought forward evidence that called into question whether Petoskey
actually has a "traffic problem." The townships worked with the planning directors in Emmet County and the city of Petoskey to identify a less costly and damaging alternative route using existing roads. And they built a formidable coalition with the Petoskey City Council, environmental groups, the Michigan Farm Bureau Federation, and hundreds of residents to support their case.
4). Modernize land use regulations. Township leaders now are facing what may be the toughest aspect of the issue--improving land use planning to better organize development. By putting schools, homes, businesses, and shops in closer proximity, people would generate fewer car trips--and less traffic--by not having to spend so much time driving from one place to another. G
For more information, contact: Joe Hoffman Jr., 4350 E. Mitchell, Petoskey, MI 49770, Tel. 616-347-6823; and Debbie Rohe, 438 E. Lake St., Petoskey, MI 49770, Tel. 616-347-7327.
To learn more about the issues surrounding transportation alternatives, land use, and livable communities, see the following resources available in the Institute library:
Books
Asphalt Nation: How the Automobile Took Over America and How We Can Take It Back. Jane Holtz Kay. Crown Publishers, New York, NY. 418 pages. 1997.
Reclaiming Our Cities & Towns: Better Living with Less Traffic. David Engwicht. New Society Publishers.
Philadelphia, PA. 190 pages. 1993.
Periodicals and Booklets Auto-Free Times. Published by the Alliance for a Paving Moratorium, P.O. Box 4347, Arcata, CA 95518. Tel. 707- 826-7775.
The Car and the City, by Alan Thein Durning. Published by Northwest Environment Watch, 1402 Third Ave., Suite 1127, Seattle, WA 98101-2118. Tel. 206-447-1880. http://www. northwestwatch.org.
EcoCity Cleveland Journal, "Transit Futures," April/May 1997 issue. Published by EcoCity Cleveland, 2841 Scarborough Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118. Tel. 216-932-3007.
Getting There: Strategic Facts for the Transportation
Advocate. Published by the Advocacy Institute, 1707 "L" Street, Suite 400,
Washington, DC 20036. Tel. 202-659-8475.
The Going Rate: What it Really Costs to Drive. Published by the World Resources Institute, 1709 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006.
Progress. Published by the Surface Transportation Policy Project, 1100 17th St. NW, Tenth Floor, Washington, DC 20036. Tel. 202-466-2636. http://www.transact.org.
A Traffic Calming Plan for Virginia's Rural Route 50 Corridor. Published by the Route 50 Corridor Coalition, P.O. Box 1555, Middleburg, VA 20118. Tel. 540-687-4055.
To learn more about the issues surrounding transportation alternatives, land use, and livable communities, see the following resources available in the Institute library:
Books
Asphalt Nation: How the Automobile Took Over America and How We Can Take It Back. Jane Holtz Kay. Crown Publishers, New York, NY. 418 pages. 1997.
Reclaiming Our Cities & Towns: Better Living with Less Traffic. David Engwicht. New Society Publishers.
Philadelphia, PA. 190 pages. 1993.
Periodicals and Booklets Auto-Free Times. Published by the Alliance for a Paving Moratorium, P.O. Box 4347, Arcata, CA 95518. Tel. 707- 826-7775.
The Car and the City, by Alan Thein Durning. Published by Northwest Environment Watch, 1402 Third Ave., Suite 1127, Seattle, WA 98101-2118. Tel. 206-447-1880. http://www. northwestwatch.org.
EcoCity Cleveland Journal, "Transit Futures," April/May 1997 issue. Published by EcoCity Cleveland, 2841 Scarborough Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118. Tel. 216-932-3007.
Getting There: Strategic Facts for the Transportation
To learn more about the issues surrounding transportation alternatives, land use, and livable communities, see the following resources available in the Institute library: Books
Asphalt Nation: How the Automobile Took Over America and How We Can Take It Back. Jane Holtz Kay. Crown Publishers, New York, NY. 418 pages. 1997.
Reclaiming Our Cities & Towns: Better Living with Less Traffic. David Engwicht. New Society Publishers.
Philadelphia, PA. 190 pages. 1993.
Periodicals and Booklets Auto-Free Times. Published by the Alliance for a Paving Moratorium, P.O. Box 4347, Arcata, CA 95518. Tel. 707- 826-7775.
The Car and the City, by Alan Thein Durning. Published by Northwest Environment Watch, 1402 Third Ave., Suite 1127, Seattle, WA 98101-2118. Tel. 206-447-1880. http://www. northwestwatch.org.
EcoCity Cleveland Journal, "Transit Futures," April/May 1997 issue. Published by EcoCity Cleveland, 2841 Scarborough Road, Cleveland Heights, OH 44118. Tel. 216-932-3007.
Getting There: Strategic Facts for the Transportation
Advocate. Published by the Advocacy Institute, 1707 "L" Street, Suite 400,
Washington, DC 20036. Tel. 202-659-8475.
The Going Rate: What it Really Costs to Drive. Published by the World Resources Institute, 1709 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006.
Progress. Published by the Surface Transportation Policy Project, 1100 17th St. NW, Tenth Floor, Washington, DC 20036. Tel. 202-466-2636. http://www.transact.org.
A Traffic Calming Plan for Virginia's Rural Route 50 Corridor. Published by the Route 50 Corridor Coalition, P.O. Box 1555, Middleburg, VA 20118. Tel. 540-687-4055.
Advocate. Published by the Advocacy Institute, 1707 "L" Street, Suite 400,
Washington, DC 20036. Tel. 202-659-8475.
The Going Rate: What it Really Costs to Drive. Published by the World Resources Institute, 1709 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006.
Progress. Published by the Surface Transportation Policy Project, 1100 17th St. NW, Tenth Floor, Washington, DC 20036. Tel. 202-466-2636. http://www.transact.org.
A Traffic Calming Plan for Virginia's Rural Route 50 Corridor. Published by the Route 50 Corridor Coalition, P.O. Box 1555, Middleburg, VA 20118. Tel. 540-687-4055.
