Dollar General has received initial approvals to develop a store next to Wheelock Welding in Long Lake Township. This would be a precedent-setting approval which should not be allowed to continue until the Township master plan has been completed. The current draft of the master plan does not provide sufficient details on issues such as building size, aesthetic requirements, night sky protection, nor guidance in place that would help protect the health and economic prosperity of the residents of Long Lake Township. Without these details defined, we could be jeopardizing our property values, unique natural resources, and the health of our thriving agribusinesses and the healthy foods they provide our community. Allowing a multi-location retail chain to open before those guidelines are decided would be a failure to the public input process. 

We, the voters of Long Lake Township and Grand Traverse County ask the Township and its Planning and Zoning Commissions to place a moratorium on any further approvals until the Long Lake Township master plan has been completed and adopted, allowing for a complete community input process to take place. This is a need not just for today, but for future generations as the Grand Traverse region sees increased growth and development and the nature of Long Lake Township continues to provide a respite for residents from the continued urbanization of Traverse City.