M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Management Plan
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M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Management Plan Update 2008
Transcript of M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Management Plan
M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route
Management Plan Update 2008
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M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Management Plan Update 2008
Presented by:
M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Committee Emmet County, Michigan
Cross Village Township Henry Singer Naomi Singer Frederick (Rob) Deane Readmond Township Ron Krause Joe Engelhard Larry Wallen Friendship Township Eric Rasmussen Bill Prall West Traverse Township Carolyn Sandford Joey Arbaugh Bob Sandford Emmet County Lakeshore Association Richard Cobb Dell Weitzel Dave Shear Partners Michigan Department of Transportation Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Emmet County Little Traverse Conservancy
This Program would not exist without the dedication and commitment over the years of the
M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Committee and the expertise and input provided by state and local agencies, non-profit groups, and individual citizens.
Prepared by:
Northwest Michigan Council of Governments Copyright 2008. Northwest Michigan Council of Governments. PO Box 506, Traverse City, Michigan 49685-0506. www.nwm.org
The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments provides regional planning, economic development, and workforce development services to its ten member counties of Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, and Wexford.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page I. Executive Summary 7 II. Corridor Inventory Update 9 A. Population Characteristics 9 B. Highway Characteristics 10 C. Updated Land Uses 15 D. Roadside Photography Inventory Update 17 E. 2007 Tree Inventory 75 III. Management Plan Update 77
A. Goals, Objectives, and Actions 77 B. Project List 82
IV. Appendices 87
A. 2006 M-119 Corridor Community Preference Survey Results Summary B. M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Summary C. Resources
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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The purpose of the M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Management Plan Update is to provide a review and revision of the M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Committee’s objectives and actions which incorporated an updated photographic inventory. Official discussion regarding M-119’s preservation was initiated in 1990, when a roadside survey was conducted by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to determine the origins and destinations of the travelers using M-119. In 1992, MDOT contracted with the Little Traverse Conservancy, a local land protection agency, to conduct a scenic inventory of the roadway. This information was utilized by local citizens in the early discussions of the roadway’s preservation and management as a heritage route. The goal of the M-119 Heritage Route Committee in 2002 was to develop a management plan that best reflected the interests of the community. The M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route was designated in 2003. Please see Appendix B. M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Summary . The update includes the following:
� Revised map identifying the corridor boundaries � Maps of road use and crash data � Map displaying future land use along the corridor � An updated photographic inventory displaying the location of intrinsic qualities � Updated objectives and activities that offer insight into new or continued issues with
recommendations for attaining identified goals � Recommendations and strategies for making future management decisions � Five year Project List
Because of the “Tunnel of Trees” and other scenic attributes and the inherent beauty displayed along the designated highway of M-119, the Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Committee continues to work to ensure the residents of Emmet County that this Heritage Route will maintain the pastoral character of this region of the County and will be managed in a manner that protects the “Tunnel of Trees”. M-119 is the only state highway in Emmet County and the only state road in Michigan without a center line. The Mission Statement of the M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Committee is:
Recognizing the unique value of M-119 and the area surrounding the roadway, the M-119 Heritage Route Management Plan will strive to protect, preserve, and enhance
the natural, scenic, and cultural character of the M-119 Heritage Route.
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The M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Plan does not attempt to address every issue and problem along the corridor. Ideally, this plan update should continue to be used as a guide to achieve community visions, while clarifying the issues and actions required for protecting its distinctiveness. The plan update is also a guide for future corridor protection, and continues to enable local communities to maintain more local control over the corridor without having ownership of the roadway. The M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route Committee is made up of representatives from the following: Four (4) townships:
• West Traverse • Friendship • Readmond • Cross Village
One (1) association: Emmet County Lakeshore Association Partners:
• Michigan Department of Transportation • Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians • Emmet County • Little Traverse Conservancy
The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments facilitates and coordinates the Committee and the process of the plan’s update development by compiling the input, insights, resources, and comments provided by the Committee.
M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route
Corridor Management Plan Goals
• To promote protection and preservation of the current state of the corridor.
• To assess existing community plans and regulations to ensure effective implementation of the goals and projects listed in the management plan.
• To promote enhancement projects restoring character and encouraging the use of alternative routes.
• To unite the linear community through the planning process.
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II. CORRIDOR INVENTORY The Corridor Inventory update assists the Michigan Department of Transportation and local planning bodies in their future deliberations on continued management strategies for the Heritage Route. This updated information continues to serve as a source of knowledge for data and ideas which the local governments along the Route can use when considering development projects or community actions affecting the Heritage Route. The inventory does not recommend specific courses of action, but is designed to be used as a tool to help the community protect the corridor’s “Tunnel of Trees” and the scenic, natural, historical, and cultural beauty while providing for change and future growth. A. Population While growth in the State of Michigan and much of the Midwest has slowed down, northwest lower Michigan's population continues to grow. The primary source of recent growth in northwest lower Michigan is from in-migration of new residents. During the 1990’s more than 80% of the region’s population growth (more than 40,000 new residents) was dependent on in-migration of new residents from other areas. Population data shows that Emmet County had a population of 31,437 in 2000 and the estimated number for 2007 is 33,393 showing an increase of 1,956 people.
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B. Highway Characteristics The M-119 Tunnel of Trees Scenic Heritage Route begins at the Harbor Springs/West Traverse Township border and traverses up the western side of northern Emmet County. The whole Heritage Route winds along some of the most scenic areas of the Emmet County. Traffic Counts Traffic counts are extremely useful in determining how a roadway is being used and in determining roadway safety and traffic flow patterns. The Average Daily Traffic (ADT) volume data shows the following growth for M-119 from Harbor Springs north: 2001 – 1,500 2002 – 1,500 2003 – 1,500 2004 – 2,000 2005 – 1,900 2006 – 2,100 2007 – 2000 Please see the Traffic Volume maps on the following pages.
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2001 ADT 2002 ADT
2003 ADT 2004 ADT
2005 ADT 2006 ADT
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2007 ADT
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Accident Locations Crash information is another data source that can be utilized to study roadway safety. Similar to the data for traffic volume, the crash accident locations for the year 2007, the data shows that most accidents have occurred in the West Traverse Township between Middle Road and Five Mile Creek Road. Additional accidents that have occurred are spread out along the remaining portions of M-119. Please see the Accident Locations map on the following page.
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C. Updated Land Uses Land use and land cover information provides a base from which to understand the character of the landscape along the corridor. Please see the Emmet County Future Land Use map for 2007 on the following page. The map shows the following uses and color legend:
• Rural Residential - white • Low Density Residential - tan • Medium Density Residential – light orange • High Density Residential – dark orange • Mixed Use – light purple • Light Commercial - pink • Commercial - red • Industrial - gray • Parks and Recreation - green • Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians Reservation Boundary – outlined in rust
This Future Land Use map demonstrates that Rural Residential and Public Lands dominate the County with low density residential development dominating the shoreline. Since the Corridor Management Plan in 2003, the most visible development that has occurred is new or renovated residential.
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D. Roadside Photographic Inventory Update A1 Management Plan Update Inventory 2008
Starting Location Township
South Boundary on M-119 going north
West Traverse
Owner Type Name Public Y/N
Golf Course
Harbor Point
No and Yes Description/Use/Facilities South boundary line of West Traverse Township and City of Harbor Springs
Inventory Volunteer(s): Carolyn Sandford, Joretta Bethke, Patty O’Donnell Date: June 13, 2007
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Management Plan Update Inventory 2008 A2
View Township
Looking north
West Traverse
Owner Type Name Public Y/N
Golf Course
Harbor Point
No and Yes Description/Use/Facilities Golf course for members and also the public at certain times.
Inventory Volunteer(s): Carolyn Sandford, Joretta Bethke, Patty O’Donnell Date: June 13, 2007
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Management Plan Update Inventory 2008 A3
View Township
Looking east of M-119
West Traverse
Owner Type Name Public Y/N
Open Space
No Description/Use/Facilities View of open space/meadow
Inventory Volunteer(s): Carolyn Sandford, Joretta Bethke, Patty O’Donnell Date: June 13, 2007
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Management Plan Update Inventory 2008 A4
View Township
Looking north
West Traverse
Owner Type Name Public Y/N
Commercial
Birchwood Inn
No/Business Description/Use/Facilities Birchwood Inn and paddock for Birchwood Farms
Inventory Volunteer(s): Carolyn Sandford, Joretta Bethke, Patty O’Donnell Date: June 13, 2007
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Management Plan Update Inventory 2008 A5
View Township
Looking north
West Traverse
Owner Type Name Public Y/N
Residential
N
Description/Use/Facilities Sign for the Little Traverse Conservancy’s Thorne Swift Preserve on Lower Shore Drive off of M-119.
Inventory Volunteer(s): Carolyn Sandford, Joretta Bethke, Patty O’Donnell Date: June 13, 2007
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Management Plan Update Inventory 2008 A6
View Township
Looking north
West Traverse
Owner Type Name Public Y/N
Residential
N Description/Use/Facilities M-119 at Middle Road intersection
Inventory Volunteer(s): Carolyn Sandford, Joretta Bethke, Patty O’Donnell Date: June 13, 2007
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Management Plan Update Inventory 2008 A7
View Township
Looking east off of M-119
West Traverse
Owner Type Name Public Y/N
Commercial/Residential
Pond Hill Farm
No/Business Description/Use/Facilities Pond Hill Farm and Market
Inventory Volunteer(s): Carolyn Sandford, Joretta Bethke, Patty O’Donnell Date: June 13, 2007
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Management Plan Update Inventory 2008 A8
View Township
Looking north
West Traverse
Owner Type Name Public Y/N
Organization
Five Mile Creek Schoolhouse
Description/Use/Facilities Old schoolhouse and next to old mill off of M-119
Inventory Volunteer(s): Carolyn Sandford, Joretta Bethke, Patty O’Donnell Date: June 13, 2007
