Hilton has proposed to build two enormous 6 story hotels on the corner of 3 Mile Rd. and US 31. In order to accommodate their large scale operation, they've asked East Bay Township to reduce the stream setback requirement, currently set as a zoning ordinance per Section 219, in the Regional Business District, from 100 ft. to 50 ft. 

This reduction would have severe consequences to Mitchell Creek, which is already an impaired waterway with E. coli flowing into Grand Traverse Bay, among other impairments. Changing from 100 ft. to 50 ft. would undermine the efforts of many local organizations currently working to restore this trout stream and protect the containments from further flowing into Grand Traverse Bay. (Conservation Resource Alliance, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Grand Traverse Conservation District, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, and The Watershed Center)

Hilton's demand to have this ordinance changed, is just another example of large corporate entities taking over Traverse City, exploiting and polluting our natural resources for profit, then shipping that profit out of our community to whatever city and state their headquarters reside in. Not to mention all the other problems they create in our community.

According to a study by Michigan State University, buffer strips play a crucial role in protecting water quality by filtering out pollutants before they reach streams (MSU Extension). Reducing these buffers can significantly increase pollutant loads into our waterways, threatening both aquatic life and human health.

It's time to stand up and tell them they will take advantage of us no more! These are YOUR representatives! Sign this petition asking that the Planning Commission uphold the 100 ft. stream setback in the Regional Business District, as per Section 219 of the Zoning Ordinance. And put a stop to Hilton's ambitions at the cost of our community!

No donations, just signatures.