HARBOR Inc 2007 Year End Summary

               STRATEGIC INITIATIVES

Facilitate Enhancement of Recreational, Trail and Open Space Assets

Purpose: To ensure long-term sustainability of recreation, trail, and open space assets for both quality of life and economic reasons.

Executive Actions:

• Pursue Trail Funding Programs.
• Pursue Trail Head Funding Programs.
• Finalize Recreation Committee work.
• Convene Open Space Committee.
• Convene Umbrella System Committee.

Intended Outcomes:

• Long-Term Sustainability of Recreation, Trails and Open Space Authority.
• Public Purchase of Development Rights Program.
• Transfer of Development Rights Program.

2007 Progress:

• Resolutions of Support from seven jurisdictions to complete Multi-jurisdictional Recreation, Trails and Open Space Plan documents.  Draft HARBOR Area Recreation, Trails and Open Space Plan can be viewed on-line at www.harborinc.org/recreation.asp.
• Draft Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance, Scoring System and Mapping for evaluation by local townships.
• Initiation of a Safe Routes to School program including registration with the State of Michigan, committee formation and survey of parents/students in 3rd – 8th grade.

Facilitate Evaluation and Development of Alternative Transportation Options

Purpose: To evaluate and develop trails & alternative transportation options to reduce vehicular traffic from roads.

Executive Actions:

• Convene Transportation Committee.
• Pursue Trail Funding.
• Pursue Trail Head and Park & Ride Funding.
• Participate and Coordinate with County level initiatives.
• Participate and Coordinate with State improvement projects.
• Evaluate alternative transportation proposals.

Intended Outcomes:

• Specific funding, location and easement proposals for smaller trail sections (1/2 – 3 miles sections) as part of the overall trail network in the Greater Harbor Springs area.
• Specific funding, location and design proposals for Trail Head and Park & Ride Areas.
• Proposals for Alternative Transportation Options.

2007 Progress:

• Commissioned study to determine most feasible and desirable route for Hoyt/Quick connector trail.
• Began work with MDOT consultant on M-119 Trail Construction Documents.  M-119 Trail Construction scheduled to occur in Fall 2008 or Spring 2009.  
• Participation in Petoskey Transportation Study.

Facilitate Targeted Housing Programs

Purpose: To increase awareness about issues and opportunities related to local housing.

Executive Actions:

• Develop a computerized build-out study to monitor changes in zoning & development.
• Disseminate Green Building Industry information to the area.
• Pursue Green Building project.
• Convene School Committee on Housing Options.

Intended Outcomes:

• Build Out Monitoring and Information Dissemination Program.
• Permanent office space renovated according to Green Building standards.
• Private Green Building Industry.
• In-Town Housing Options for Families with Children.

2007 Progress:

• Initiated Green Construction research.  
• Made request to City of Harbor Springs to begin evaluation of Ford Park Building for potential Green Renovation and HARBOR, Inc. office space.

Develop Access to Knowledge Systems

Purpose: Enhance access to knowledge systems to ensure long-term economic vitality.

Executive Actions:

• Convene High Speed Internet Committee.
• Continue to upgrade the community information website.

Intended Outcomes:

• Access to High Speed Internet throughout the Service Area.
• On-line mapping of Natural and Agricultural data important to Public Purchase of Development Rights.
• On-line mapping of Housing Build-out, existing land use, future land use and zoning data.

2007 Progress:

• Initiate High Speed Committee work according to Committee Terms of Reference.
• Initiated evaluation of proposed Northern Michigan Broadband Cooperative as means of implementing High Speed in the HARBOR Area.

Harbor trail section update

In August 2007, the State of Michigan awarded Wilcox Engineering the contract to survey and design the 3 mile section of the Little Traverse Wheelway between Pleasantview Road and Harbor Springs. In October 2007, survey work was done to locate the right of way line and trail easements. Drawing and design work began in October 2007 to document curbing, culverts, and changes in elevations.