Traverse City voters will decide whether a developer can build an apartment building downtown.
City Commissioners on Monday agreed to put the proposal on the November 2022 ballot—the first time a tall building proposal has been put before voters.
Traverse City amended its charter in 2017 so that a majority of voters must approve the plan for a building taller than 60 feet, before it goes before the city for approval.
The city had previously agreed to let Innovo TC Hall, LLC build apartments and commercial space on two vacant lots on Hall Street in April last year. However, the group Save Our Downtown argued the building proposal was taller than 60 feet—due to rooftop structures like an elevator shaft—and thus subject to voter approval.
In November, 13th Circuit Court Judge Thomas Power agreed with them, putting the development on pause.
In January, Innovo requested that the City Commission schedule a proposal for the November 2022 election. It said it is also appealing the Circuit Court’s decision in the Michigan Court of Appeals.
The question will appear on the Traverse City ballot on November 8, 2022.
