City hears strategic‑plan update: survey nears 1,000 responses, focus groups under way

Consultant David Burrell of Future IQ updated the Traverse City Commission on Feb. 17 about the city’s strategic-action planning process and community survey. Burrell said the survey had reached 995 completed responses and the team would keep it open through Feb. 28 to surpass a target of 1,000 responses. He said the responses so far show a strong appetite among respondents for a future emphasizing community evolution and proactive urban design.

Burrell summarized preliminary findings: a large share of respondents favor expanding business diversity and innovation; many prioritize deliberate urban design to protect local character; and respondents expressed concern about the pace and scale of development. He showed scenario-matrix results that skew toward a “preferred future” combining proactive design with social-economic community investments.

Future IQ and staff described the immediate next steps: additional focus groups this week on the plan’s six strategic pillars, posting of survey results and summary slide decks to the project portal, a short prioritization survey after the focus groups, and drafting of actions through March and April ahead of a final plan workshop in May. Burrell and staff also added two evening focus-group sessions to improve access for residents who cannot attend daytime meetings.

Commissioners asked about timing and how draft actions could inform near‑term budget and capital decisions; Burrell said draft actions and priority lists would be posted on the project portal and staff would coordinate with the city manager to provide early previews to commissioners. Several commissioners reported attendance at focus groups and encouraged broader public participation.

No formal action was taken; the presentation was informational and staff will return with draft actions and a summary of survey results.