Building Sense of Place

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Building a Sense of Place

A Cooperative Approach to

Discovering and Preserving Community Character



Contents

Introduction........................................................................................

Sprawl: An Outcome No One Planned..............................................

The Building a Sense of Place Approach............................................

Highlights From Seven Communities.................................................

Huron Valley............................................................................

Central Lenawee.....................................................................

Fremont...................................................................................

Tri-Cities..................................................................................

Owosso-Corunna...................................................................

Alpena.....................................................................................

Little Bay de Noc.....................................................................

How Did Community Participants Cooperate?.................................

Applying Information Technology.......................................................

How Did Communities Benefit?........................................................Preserving Community Character......................................................

Appendix 1- Building a Sense of Place Advisors.................................

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IntroductionWhether viewed from horseback or spacecraft, Michigan has always struck pioneers as a special place.

When the French scholar of democracy, Alexis de Tocqueville, rode through territorial Michigan in 1831, he describe

where “from time to time a small lake appears like a sheet of silver under the forest foliage. It is difficult to imagine t

which surrounds these pretty places where man has not fixed his dwelling and where still reign a profound peace and

rupted silence.”

The developed potential of the state soon revealed itself to settlers. Historian Bruce Catton says, “Men who broke intcountry fairly babbled when they wrote to people back east and tried to tell what they had found . . . Michigan was ‘

of agricultural emigrants from both sides of the Atlantic,’ a land so rich that in trying to appraise its yield, ‘the mind b

bewildered, and mistrusts its own considerations.’ ”1

Nearly one hundred and fifty years later, Michigan still made a dramatic impression. When astronauts first ascended h

they noted the two peninsulas that jutted out into the largest system of lakes on the globe.

But it is not just explorers who have loved Michigan. Not long after de Tocqueville’s ride, wave upon wave of Europea

rushed into this territory and transformed its abundance of natural resources into the wealth of the nation. Michigan

provided the ribs and shoulder blades for America’s booming Midwestern metropolis, Chicago. Its rich farmlands pro



Michigan’s riches were not mined without a price. The leveling of the primeval forest, the plowing of unsuitable land

careless disposal of industrial wastes all exacted their tolls. Yet Michigan has in recent decades enjoyed a reputation as

mental and conservation leader, heeding the lessons of the past to replant the forests, clean up the lakes, and reduce w

generations of Michigan citizens, applying their care through action, have helped redeem the state’s promise and pres

the natural heritage that makes Michigan a singularly suitable home as well as an engine for economic growth.

Today, however, new generations of citizens are again facing widespread losses of natural resources, air and water pollu

the painful decay of urban centers. Neither as striking nor as easy to arrest as earlier threats to the state’s character, upoorly-planned land use decisions, and sometimes the lack of decisions, are chipping away at the qualities that disting

These changes include the loss of economically valuable lands, including prime agricultural soils; the sacrifice of envi

sensitive or scenic lands, such as wetlands and woodlots; and the gradual erosion of the sense of community that bind

together in our townships, villages and cities.

Through a multitude of individual actions that convert land, and in the absence of policies or practices that seek to pwe love about our land, Michigan is changing. But it is not too late to do what was done in the 19 th and 20th Centurie

change for the betterment of the state, and the communities that define it.



Our journey of re-discovery begins with the creative spirit and determination of Michigan’s citizens. Developed and

with the energy and enthusiasm of citizens in seven communities across Michigan, Building a Sense of Place has p

simple road map. Equipped with this map, citizens are empowered to:

Articulate what it is they love and wish to protect in their community and region;

Define, unearth, and contribute data to a community information system that visually represents community chserves as a critical tool for future land use zoning and planning decisions;

Develop strong and enduring relationships within and across governmental lines, fostering regional cooperation

Promote a vigorous and constructive ethic of public participation in local growth management and land conserv

Originally designed by the Land Information Access Association (LIAA) in 1996, Building a Sense of Place provid

processes and products helpful to participating communities. It illustrates the common visions and places that citizen

backgrounds and interests cherish, and helps them work together to nourish those visions and protect those places.

It also offers a means to assure that this work lasts and makes a defining difference in the community. Through the co

operation of a truly comprehensive community information system, Building a Sense of Place gives officials and t



Between 1.4 and 2 million acres of land will be converted to urban use in the 30-year period, an area equ

more than four counties.



The Building a Sense of Place Approach

“To know the spirit of a place is to realize that you are a

and that the whole is made of parts, each of which is wh

— Gary Snyder, “The Practice of the Wild”

Put to work in seven diverse locations of Michigan through early 1999, Building a Sense of Place is as much a com

building exercise as it is the development of a community information system (CIS). Strengthening community ident

general appreciation of each community’s special resources as well as providing greater public access to a broad array

information. The process has five major components: public relations, citizen participation, community discovery, in

integration, and technology transfer.

Public Relations - During the early phase of Building a Sense of Place, LIAA’s public outreach staff explain the

objectives to a broad range of community leaders and interest groups. LIAA suggests that cultural and natural resourpose and support the community can be identified, documented and managed with the help of a CIS. Through a serie

briefings, public information meetings, and technology demonstrations, LIAA encourages citizens and government le

advisory committee and work with others to characterize their local resources, helping put that information “on the

Citizen Participation - In each community, a citizens’ advisory committee guides the development of the CIS and

information sets necessary to describe a sense of place for the community. Advisory committee members come from

grounds. They include business leaders, school officials, conservationists, artists, historians, retirees, and parents. The

committee takes the lead in determining important cultural and natural features that can be mapped and documented

information for a CIS is collected by topic-specific field teams or subcommittees addressing community history or na

for example.



Through these exercises, community members begin to identify a common list of important natural and cultural feat

conducts public opinion research in each community to verify that the advisory committee’s sentiments are shared by

nity at large.

Information Integration - A leader in developing new computer applications for community planning, LIAA pro

assistance and information systems to each project site. Using state-of-the-art computers and software, LIAA helps ea

combine digital data from geographic information systems (GIS), databases, and public documents with graphics, pho

clips to create a CIS. The resulting multimedia application can be used by everyone as part of a “touch-screen” kiosk places, through local area networks (LANs) at schools and public agencies, and in homes and offices through compact

ROMs) or the Internet.

Technology Transfer - The project is complete when community members feel comfortable using the CIS as a dec

tool. LIAA helps to organize “Roll-Out” receptions that feature demonstrations of the final CIS by the advisory comm

LIAA sponsors workshops for citizens and public officials on how to use the CIS to make land use decisions. With the

final CIS to the community, the advisory committee defines the process for maintaining and updating the CIS. Additio

community sends several representatives to training classes on CIS maintenance at LIAA’s classroom in Traverse City.

then maintain and continually enhance their systems with up-to-date information and may choose to develop even w

the CIS.



Highlights From Seven Communities

“I learned that a little bit of knowledge can

the way that we view our community. The h

strong and it will help us preserve the things

— Deb Pardike, Alpena Convention and Vis

Since 1996, seven extended communities have helped to demonstrate and improve on Building a Sense of Place.

urban, tourism-based and industrial, Upper and Lower Peninsula, larger and smaller, these communities display the d

Michigan - yet they also exhibit a common desire for preserving both tangible and intangible qualities of their chosenseven demonstration communities that participated in the project were:

Huron Valley (Village of Milford, Highland Charter Township, Milford Charter Township);

Central Lenawee (City of Adrian, and Adrian, Madison, Palmyra, and Raisin Townships);

Fremont (City of Fremont, Dayton Township and Sheridan Charter Township);

Tri-Cities (Cities of Grand Haven and Ferrysburg, Village of Spring Lake, and Grand Haven Charter Town

Owosso-Corunna (Cities of Corunna and Owosso; Caledonia and Owosso Townships);

Alpena (County of Alpena, City of Alpena, Alpena Township).

Little Bay de Noc (Cities of Escanaba and Gladstone; Escanaba and Wells Townships)

Public opinion surveys, focus groups, and the comments of individuals participating in the community-building exerc



The surveys show that residents in all communities place a high value on cultural and historical features - and an even

on natural features. Citizens in all seven communities ranked their “rivers, streams and lakes” as being the most impo

protect. [Surveys randomly sampled 250 individuals in each community allowing for a 95% confidence level with a p

5% margin or error overall.]

Close behind in most of the communities were recreational facilities and parks, habitat for wildlife and birds, and the

of the community. In more rural communities, farms and agricultural lands were also ranked as very important to pr

The words of individuals revealed some of the same concerns when focus groups were assembled. “Per acre, Highland

more biodiversity than any other place in Oakland County,” said one participant in the Huron Valley area. “It’s a really

In many communities, participants struck a note of concern about the loss of natural features. “Woods need to be pres

Central Lenawee County participant. “Many small woodlots cover the countryside, and also the farms. They get sold o

bulldozed and fragmented. It affects the biology infrastructure of the wildlife. We are running out of quality woods to

But there is much left to protect, according to the participants. For example, over 100 Fremont Area residents menti

Lake as an important natural area and ecosystem of community significance. In the Owosso-Corunna community, 143

identified Curwood Castle, built by author James Curwood, as a favorite historical place.



Huron Valley:

rivers, streams and lakes, 88.1%; historic

structures, 70.6%; farms and agricultural lands,

60.3%.

Central Lenawee:

rivers, streams and lakes, 67.4%; farms and

agricultural lands, 56.8%; historic structures

such as barns, homes and churches, 55.7%.

Fremont Area:

river, streams and lakes, 68.8%; current look

and feel of community, 68.4%, farms and

agricultural lands, 59.6%.

Tri-Cities:

river, streams and lakes, 86%; current look and

feel of community 64.4%, protection of habitat

for wildlife 69.2%.

Owosso-Corunna:

rivers, streams and lakes, 73.2

and fell of community, 64.4%

wildlife and birds, 67.6%.

Alpena:

rivers, streams, and lakes 86%

agricultural lands 68%, habita

wildlife 68%.

Little Bay de Noc:

rivers, streams, and lakes 88%

wildlife 64% , the current loo

community 60.4%.

In each community survey respondents were asked to rank the importance they place on 10 cultural and natural featu

the percentage of residents that ranked particular community features “very important” to protect (i.e., the highest r

Some Rankings of “Very Important Places to Protect”

On a scale of 1 to 5, how much importance do you place on preserving and

protecting the following cultural and natural features?

4.344.27

4.69

4.49

3 71

3.94

4.40

4.21

5

s i n g I m p o r t a n c e

Average of responses from 1,750 residents surveyed in seven

Michigan communities, 1996-1998.



Located within commuting distance of Detroit, Lansing, and Ann Arbor, this fast-growing community also has special natural significance. It is within the headwaters

area of the Huron and Shiawassee Rivers, two major river systems. Locally, the Huron

River is especially important, winding through the community and giving Milford its

name because of the mills constructed by Henry Ford. Also forging community ties isthe single school district which serves Milford and much of the townships of Highlandand Milford.

The community is largely suburban; over 80% of the total community populationresides within the two townships, and only 19% within the village. Median householdincomes are relatively high, ranging in the 1990 census from $37,323 in the village to$55,763 in Milford Township.

The community is rapidly changing. Between 1990 and 2020, the population of the

area is expected to grow from 29,000 to over 46,000, a 59% increase. More than inother project communities, Huron Valley residents are concerned about the effects of population increase such as traffic congestion and overcrowding.

“Representative of the numerous farms throughout

Milford and Highland Townships.”__ Patricia Doerr

“This barn has been a landmark on Milford

Road for many years and is a good example of

the country life of Huron Valley.”__ Liz House16

What Makes the Huron Valley

Community Special?(Building a Sense of Place Project, 1996)

Others

7%

Downtown

15%

Recreation

Areas

12%

Look & Feel

of the

Community27%

Lakes

18%

Huron River

9%HistoricHomes

12%

Huron Valley

Community Population(US Bureau of the Census, 1990)

5,511

6,600

17,200

Village of

Milford

Milford Charter

Township

Highland

Charter

Township

Huron Valley



“Swamp on Commerce Road:

It always catches my eye, that is, if I don’t have time to stop and take a look for herons, wood ducks, and turtles with my binoculars.”__ Tom Carney

“Milford is so named because of the many mills that

were built from 183 0-1 900 . They supplied the energythat drew people to the area.”__ Suzanne Heshew

“ ”



Central Lenawee

This southeast Michigan area is surrounded by rolling croplands, but the CentralLenawee community itself is highly urbanized; the City of Adrian has a population of

more than 20,000, 56% of the total. While the surrounding townships of Adrian,

Madison, Palmyra, and Raisin retain some rural characteristics, they also harbor such

significant institutions as a major manufacturer of household cabinetry and a nation-wide insurance company.

The region originally attracted settlement because of the abundance of natural water

sources and soil. The River Raisin was particularly important to the area’s develop-ment, providing the raw material for both a sawmill and a gristmill. Residents pointwith pride both to the natural resources and the City of Adrian’s history, representedby its collection of historic homes and its historic neighborhoods.

Although population has fluctuated in recent decades, estimated growth of over 8,000

between 1990 and 1999 concerns many people. Participants in the project expressedworry about the threat to the traditional town center posed by chain restaurants, stripdevelopment, and rural residential subdivisions.

“Two horses hang out in their stables at the

Lenawee County Fairgrounds.”__ Lisa Kyle

“Growing up in the country always seemed idyllic to

me. Siblings Tara, Tamie and Brittany Keene frolic in

a flooded field on M-52 in Adrian after heavy rains.”__ Lisa Kyle18

Central Lenawee

Community Population(U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1990)

22,097

4,336

2,602

5,351

5,648

City of Adrian

Adrian Township

Palmyra Township

Madison Township

Raisin Township

Others40%

History

6% Downtown

6%

Lakes

8%

Historic

Homes

9%

Recreation

Areas

9%

Look & Feel

of the

Community

22%

What Makes the Central Lenawee




“The Hispanic culture in Lenawee County is alive and vibrant.

Many local girls have a Quincennera at age 15.”__ Lisa Kyle

“Completed in 1886, The mass to decoration

of the courhouse embodies the growth and

spirit of Lenawee in the late 1800’s.”__ Michael Jacobitz

“Downs Hall, t he only surviving building

from the college’s original campus, was

built in the late 1860 ’s”__ Michael Jacobitz

“Isn’t this a proud old building? It h as it’s unique architecture

which we don’t see anymore.”__ June Gore



Fremont

Located in Newaygo County, Fremont is often described as a company town located inthe middle of one of America’s most productive fruit and vegetable growing regions.

Beginning in 1928, these farms helped provide the baby food served to generations of

Americans by the Gerber Company, credited with creating jobs and a high quality of

life in Fremont. Today the company employs over 1,000. Protecting these jobs whilediversifying the local economy is a top local priority.

At the same time they seek growth, area residents are proud of, and want to protect

the quality of Fremont Lake, as well as their local parks, wetlands and other waterways.However, the rapidly increasing local population may pose challenges to these re-sources. The population is expected to increase over 55% in Dayton Township andSheridan Charter Township between 1996 and 2020. The influx of over 2,500 residents

will test the community’s ability to preserve its look and feel, highly valued by current

inhabitants.

“Veteran’s Park entrance. We don’t forget those who

served our country during various wars.”__ Harold Johnson

“The Fremont area is dotted wit h old family f arms.

Historical structures still remind us of the many hours

of hard work and family ties that have gone into the

agricultural history of Fremont.”__

Peggy Straathof 20

(U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1990)

3,875

2,252

1,971

City of Fremont

Sheridan

Charter

Township

Dayton

Township

Fremont Area

Community Population

What Makes the Fremont


Others

16%

Look & Feel

of the

Community

66%

Downtown

9%

Family Lives

Here

5%

Business &

Industry4%



“Gerber Products Company represents the commercial heritage of our

community and continues as the epicenter of our local community.”__ Bernadette Boyle

“This is a picture of Second Lake, looking east. Second Lake is one of a string

of Lakes outside the city of Fremont. This area is gorgeous every season of the year, and is very quiet and peaceful, a true haven so close to the city!”__ Janice Zahrt

“Apple orchard on Comstock Street.”__ Harold Johnson



Tri-Cities

At the mouth of the Grand River, Michigan’s largest river system, the Tri-citiescommunity is comprised of the Cities of Grand Haven and Ferrysburg, the Village of

Spring Lake, and Grand Haven Township. The area attracts both tourists and new

residents in search of a comfortable home.

Water is crucial to the identity of the area. The City of Grand Haven is nicknamed“Coast Guard City, USA.” The Grand Haven pier and a regionally famous state park

beach are local landmarks. Also important to residents is the look and feel of the

community, a blend of a resort-like small town with a rural residential character.

A wealthy community by Michigan standards, the area faces enormous populationpressures. Grand Haven Township, for example, is expected to grow 64% between

1996 and 2020, adding 7,000 people. Traffic has become a major concern. Recent

discussion of a highway bypass around the City of Grand Haven has awakened divisions

between those seeking a relief to traffic congestion, and those who feel the bypasscould divert business from downtown areas.

“Many older h omes are kept in such great shape i n th e

Tri-cities area. This is my favorite. Edward Ferry’s

house at 514 Lafayette Street - built in 1870.”__ Jim Peterson

“Farm building and grazing Herefords make a

complete, peaceful pastoral scene - on Reender’s

farm 250 feet from the barn.”__ Don Peterson22

Tri-Cities Population Estimates (West Michigan Regional Planning Commission,

1996)

12,142

3,097

11,447

2,508

City of Grand

Haven

City of

Ferrysburg

Grand Haven

Township

Spring Lake

Village

What Makes the

Tri-Cities Area Special?(Building a Sense of Place Project, 1997)

Others

20%

Recreation

Areas

7%

Downtown

6%

Lakes

31%

Look & Feel

of the

Community

31%Homes

5%



“Our community has incorporated industry and pleasure with

nature and kept it all beautiful.”__ Steve Elve

“Kite Flying Contest”__ Karen Cotten

“It’s as if some of the pier structures really accept a

layer of ice, while the tower stands aloof.”__ Don Peterson

“Grand Haven’s Musical Fountain.”__ Theodore H. McConnel



Owosso-Corunna

Spanning two cities and two townships, the area is rapidly becoming one community.The City of Owosso’s 16,900 residents and vibrant downtown anchor the area. Al-

though much smaller, nearby Corunna is the county seat. Growth between the two is

creating a single small metropolis.

A combination of history and natural beauty ranks high among the priorities of resi-dents. Owosso is famous as the birthplace of presidential candidate Thomas Dewey and

the home of author James Oliver Curwood, who built the Curwood Castle. The

Shiawassee River, which curls through downtown Owosso, and Hopkins Lake are bothcherished local resources.

Although population is expected to grow only slightly in the next ten years, patterns of

development challenge the community. Many new commercial and industrial develop-

ments in the townships have spread the economic base while increasing the need for

interjurisdictional planning and other cooperation.

“Fall beauty of this beautiful architecture in Owosso.”__ Leslie Shuster

“Colorful and peaceful.”__ Jim Waters

24

3,091

4,121

4,514

16,922City of

Owosso

City of

Corunna

Owosso

Township

Caledonia

Township

Owosso-Corunna


What Makes the Owosso-Corunna


Lakes

9%

Homes

8%

Others

18%

Downtown

13%

Schools6%

Look & Feel

of the

Community

46%



Alpena

Hugging the shores of Lake Huron in northeastern Michigan, the Alpena communityhas traditionally depended on resource extraction and tourism for prosperity. The City

of Alpena is located at the junction of the Thunder Bay River and Lake Huron. The area

nearby includes significant state and federal forest land, large quarries, sportfisheries,

and other raw material for resource-based industries. Household median income rangesfrom $20,472 annually in Alpena County to $27,011 in Alpena Township.

Natural features and “nice, friendly people” are the two things most often cited as assets

by those surveyed. The area’s small-town atmosphere and proximity to one of theworld’s largest lakes are sources of pride.

The area’s challenges differ from those of other participating communities. Over the

next 20 years, population is expected to remain stable or slightly decline from the

estimated 30,600 county residents in the year 2000. A strong appetite for growth in

the community, manifested by substantial support for extension of a four-lane US-23along the eastern shore of the state, may accelerate population expansion and conver-sion of land.

“Huron Portland Cement Company, one of th e first and largest employers in early Alpena.”__ Robert Kujawa

“Sunset off Johnson Street by Besser Compnay.”__ Cal Howard

26

Alpena Community

Population Estimates

(North East Michigan Council of Governments, 1995)

30,746

11,589

9,756

Alpena County

City of Alpena

Alpena

Township

What Makes the Alpena


"It's Home"

17%

Natural

Features

14%

Others7%

Family &

Friends13%

Lived here

my whole

life12%

Small Town

Atmosphere

37%



“I love wetlands of the T hunder Bay River

because of the animals and flora.”__ Kim Dement

“Taken from th e deck of my house, Cow Island in t he city of Alpena - The island

is in the Thunder Bay River.”__ Thomas Lappen

“Shinga ba Shores - it’s a place to meet old and new friends and

show a love and respect for beauty.”__ Wendy Werth

“The close access to Lake Huron is one of

the best things about Alpena.”__ Jan Kellogg



Little Bay de Noc

Nestled against the shores of Lake Michigan’s Little Bay de Noc, this communityencompasses the Cities of Escanaba and Gladstone and Escanaba and Wells Townships.

Over 25,000 residents inhabit this Upper Peninsula community.

Natural resources played a crucial role in the founding and development of the com-munity. The discovery of iron ore in the western Upper Peninsula enabled Escanaba tobecome a major port. The extensive state and national forests in the region attract

hunters, hikers and other outdoor enthusiasts. The area’s woodlands have also contrib-

uted to milling and the production of paper since the 1890s. Mead Paper Company,located in Wells Township, remains the largest forest products business in the state. Butthe most cherished resources, according to project participants, are historic structuresand the region’s extensive, high-quality, scenic waters - Little Bay de Noc, its tributary

streams, and Lake Michigan.

Maintaining the community’s small-town atmosphere is important to area residents,more than 90% of whom say they plan to live in the community 16 or more years.While valuing additional development, some residents express concern that commu-

nity character and surrounding forestlands and open spaces may be jeopardized by

expansion outside city limits.

“The ore boats show a major aspect of the steel industry - our

community supplies the iron ore.”__ John Gustafson

“Our fire department is a very important part of the community. I went on a field trip with

my niece and her class.__ Rodney Lemerand 28

What Make the Little Bay de Noc


Others

19%

Small Town

Atmosphere

30%

Family &

Friends

25%

Natural

Features

18%

Born Here8%

Little Bay de Noc


4,569

5,159

3,340

13,659City of

Escanaba

City of

Gladstone

Wells

Township

Escanaba

Township



“I have a friend in the Phillipines who had never been here and thought this

was a cold place. - I wanted to show her it is also a beautiful place.”__ Lorraine Oslund

“I like the area around Ford River - it’s God’s country!”__ Tom Rogers

“The Sand Point Lighthouse has always been a focal

point for the travelers in town and it has not stopped

being a point of reference for people.”__ Mark Karweick



How Did Community Participants Cooperate?In each location, participants formed acommunity advisory committee. Consisting of community leaders from all walks of lifeas well as civic-minded citizens, these committees formed the backbone of each Building a Sense of Place project. These advisors

helped identify additional project participants, advised and supported public relations efforts, and participated in and publicized

workshops.

But perhaps most important, the committees worked to assemble a useful and honest definition of “community.” Doing this requiredthe knowledge, personal network, and creative energy of each advisory committee member.

Crayon Your Community - LIAA found that one of the best ways to open the discussion and spark creative thinking aboutcommunities was to ask advisory team members to crayon their communities. In this early exercise, participants jointly put on papertheir mental maps of the community. In small groups, participants sketched in streets, historical and natural landmarks, prominentbuildings and other features, members then collectively discussed their work. These hand drawn maps helped to create lists of the

area’s special places for data collection. They also served as a springboard for the development of field teams.

The exercise also helped inject a spirit of fun into the project, breaking down walls between participants and reminding them whatthey value. “This could be a party game,” said Connie Farrell, Director of the Grand Haven Association of Commerce and Industry. “Itbecame a party.”

Field Teams - Each community advisory committee was divided informally into subcommittees that collected information from thefield. In most participating communities, separate field teams focused on governmental, historical, cultural, recreational, and naturalfeatures information needs. Using their ties to various institutions and organizations, field team members were an indispensableelement in the data collection process.

30



In the Central Lenawee project, Adrian City employee Jan Hauser collected a large group of citizens and ecologists to documentnatural features. The Nature Conservancy assisted by sponsoring a short workshop on local wetlands restoration, stimulating consid-

erable interest. At the end of the event, Hauser announced the field team’s formation. Word spread through the community and 25

people attended the first meeting. Over the next several months, information rolled into Hauser, who passed it along to LIAA. For

example, a local college instructor had completed a comprehensive data base with photos of native plants. A college student col-lected slides and text about native amphibians. All of this material is captured as multimedia information in the community informa-tion system.

In Fremont, District Librarian Judi McNally invited artisans, non-profit directors, community arts leaders, and citizens to build acultural field team. The team decided to develop a standardized information set on each cultural activity or organization docu-mented, including a picture or graphic, address, membership, and contact person. The team ultimately created a survey form mailedto cultural organizations and event headquarters, with team members following up with those who didn’t respond. Within a few

months, the team had collected surveys from over 30 cultural organizations in the Fremont Area, and created folders for each

organization that included their survey form in a word processing document, along with pictures or slides and other information

volunteered by the organizations.

Photography Contests - Information gathering did not stop with the committees and field teams. LIAA and local organizations

sponsored a Best Placesphotography contest for each community. Contestants were asked to submit photographs of scenes of natural

beauty, or historical or cultural significance. Judged by a committee of residents, the best photographs were awarded cash prizes incategories such as Our Homes and Natural and Special Ecosystems. For example, one award winning picture shows a barn at sunsetin the Tri-Cities project. The winning photographer described this scene: “Two things make this place special, its beauty and the veryfact this farm/ ranch is undeveloped with no future plans for doing so.”

31



There were nearly 100 photographs entered into the contest in Alpena. Officials promoted the contest on local television and radioand in the community newspaper, hung posters in local grocery stores and visited schools.

In several locations, the competition was coordinated with other community activities. In the Owosso-Corunna Community, the

photography contest was held in conjunction with an annual arts event, the Celebration of the Arts and Gardens in July. All topentries from the community photography contests became part of the CIS and were sometimes displayed as traveling art exhibits. Ineach case,the location of these photographs were identified on a digital map within the CIS. In that way, CIS users can easily see

these photographs of the Best Placeswithin their community simply by touching or clicking the site.

This element of the community-building process was the favorite of Loreen Trot ter, an employee of the City of Escanaba. “I handledthe photography contest,” she said. “I got to be the one to see all the photographs as they came in. It’s fun seeing the photographs onthe screen because I know who took them and why they were taken.”

Picture Your Place - Community advisory committee members were also asked to turn the camera lens on the community. Issued

disposable cameras, the committee members were asked to take pictures of their favorite places. LIAA developed the pictures,coded each one, and challenged teams of advisory committee members to identify the subjects and map their locations. This exercisehelped to build agreement among the committee members on the importance of specific cultural and natural features. Today, these

pictures and mapped locations provide a physical record of important places to consider in future planning, zoning, and development

decisions.

Roll-Out Celebrations - In each location, LIAA helped organize Roll-Out receptions to celebrate the completion of the projectand acquaint the public with the CIS. However, the community advisory committee members took the most prominent rolls arrang-

ing refreshments and door prizes, making presentations, and teaching their neighbors how to use the CIS.

32

“The photographs, t hat’s how the project put s emotion in to plann ing,

seeing the place that’s being talked about reminds a board or a commu-

nity that it’s valuable. It reminds them of its qualities.”

— Lisa Burkhardt, Zoning Administrator for Highland Township



In addition to helping the communities identify their cherished places, the Building a Sense of Place process provided a basis fordocumenting and managing these critical resources. Through the efforts of the advisory committee members and the various field

teams, all of the communities produced pictures, graphics, sound clips, and short videos depicting important cultural and natural

features. Similar efforts by public officials and local government employees assured the availability of important public documents

such as zoning ordinances and master plans. In most cases, county officials helped to provide electronic databases of key features suchas drinking water wells and tax-parcel records. Ultimately, all of this information was integrated into a single, easy-to-use computersystem, the community information system (CIS).

Mapping is essential to understanding the locations and geographic relationships of community resources - and the impacts of landuse changes. Using a geographic information system (GIS), LIAA assisted each community in mapping the locations of importantcultural and natural resources as described by advisory committee members. For example, the locations of historic sites and build-ings were mapped in the Village of Milford. Additionally, LIAA integrated a wide variety of maps commonly used in community

planning and zoning efforts. In some cases, maps were only available in “hard copy” and had to be converted to computer formats

using a digitizing tablet.

In several cases, LIAA used a global positioning system (GPS) to help verify the locations of key community features. This satellite-assisted navigation and survey system helped assure a reasonable level of accuracy for many of the new maps created by project

participants. Additionally, local government officials and advisory committee members were provided properly scaled maps to help

in verifying the names and locations of the identified features.

Applying InformationTechnology

33



34

“I came over to City Hall and sat down in f ront of t he kiosk for over an

hour and I felt amazingly comfortable. I could touch the buttons and pull

up information - make maps...it was so easy. I’m a real believer now.“

— Dick McElroy, Alpena Chamber of Commerce

In each location, LIAA worked to incorporate the submitted multimedia information and digital maps into unique, community-specific applications. To accomplish this task, LIAA used proprietary computer software that allows interactive access to digital maps,

text, graphics, pictures, audio, and video information. The primary function of this computer software is to make the information

easy to find, attractive, and enjoyable to use.

LIAA staff worked for several months with the advisory committees in each community to create colorful screens that best displayedthe submitted data. Linked together with menus, these screens were arranged so that any community member can easily get to the

information on a touch-screen kiosk. Today, each CIS enables users to:

n Zoom in and out to view areas ranging from a single lot to a county or region of the state (changing map scales);

n Overlay mapped information such as soils or zoning districts over other maps such as parcels or wetland maps;

n Calculate distances between any number of points the user selects;

n Display the complete text of a zoning ordinance or narratives and pictures concerning sites of historic or natural significance;

n Perform searches for mapped features with associated databases (e.g., parcels);

n Display pictures, graphs, and database information separately or with associated maps.

Often stationed in public buildings such as local government offices and libraries, a touch-screen kiosk is only one way the CIS has

been displayed. Communities have chosen to make the CIS accessible in schools, public agencies, and businesses by providing dupli-

cate copies on stand-alone computers and on local area networks (LANs). Additionally, some communities have begun to make theirCISs available on CDs and over the Internet.



35

A community information system (CIS) is acomputer application designed to provide

direct public access to a wealth of commu-

nity information. Using a simple menu of color-coded buttons, a CIS allows anyone

who can view television the ability to display and use digital maps,associated data and documents, pictures and graphics, and audio and

video clips. By clicking the appropriate buttons, CIS users can easily and

quickly review, manipulate, and print a full range of community informa-tion from local planning and zoning documents to detailed data on localbusinesses; from information on schools and school programs to informa-tion on natural areas and wildlife habitat.

As shown in the example of a Map Screen,

users can combine important maps such as abasic zoning district map with the parcelownership map. The menu buttons allow theuser to: change the map scale (zoom in or out),overlay other mapped information (add or

remove information), measure distances, search for mapped features,look at pictures of places on the map (including aerial images), andchange the base map being used in the background. Additionally, infor-mation from databases can be called to the screen by clicking or touchingon an object (e.g., specific parcel data).

The example of an Information Screen shows one of the many hun-dreds of ways multimedia information can be displayed. In this case, aseries of pictures depicting local festivals and fairs are displayed with textinformation about each event. The user simply clicks or touches the

topic of interest. In many cases, these multimedia screens display video

clips or include sound clips as well.

Example of a Map Screen

Example of an Information Screen

What Is A “CIS?”



In Building A Sense of Place, communities derive a number of benefits. Some are human, some technological. Participants sayboth are important.

Lynn Kolasa of the Alpena Downtown Development Authority said, “I think this project shows that diverse people in a community

can get together in one room for one goal ‘this project’ and create something wonderful.” Participants in other communities echothis comment, noting how citizens whose paths rarely crossed found common ground in the community-building exercises, informa-tion collection, and construction of the CIS.

The CIS itself also attracts considerable public attention and use. In Adrian, kiosks in both the city and county libraries have re-ceived considerable attention. One of the systems was used 1,618 times to view 19,530 different screens of information in the first214 days. The other was used 2,534 times in 264 days, providing access to 26,738 screens of information. Rates of public use appearto go up with t ime. In Grand Haven, the first 40 days of use at one library attracted 424 users accessing 6,924 screens.

What’s available for users to view depends on the preferences of the community team and the information that can be collected. In

the Huron Valley community, citizens can observe the locations, pictures, and background information on every historic structure.The CIS identifies “sacred sites in our downtown and residential district that we consider prizes,” said the village’s DowntownDevelopment Authority Director, Ann Barnett. “There are spots on the river that people can name, that newcomers wouldn’t know;

there could be a vista on top of a hill or back roads.”

Little Bay de Noc’s CIS includes digital copies of old 35-millimeter newsreels depicting local events from the 1920s and 1930s. Mostof the project communities have developed databases of photographs and mapped locations documenting prized local natural fea-tures, parks, and recreation facilities. This is all new information, not previously accessible to land use decision-makers and inte-

grated with other critical information such as zoning and property ownership.

How Did Communities Benefit?

36



The Fremont Area’s CIS contains an extensive collection of historical information, much of it compiled by the Newaygo CountyHistorical Society’s Terry Wantz. Early settlement in the Fremont area, the involvement of area residents in the Civil War, a German

prisoner of war compound during World War II and the growth of the Gerber Company are all chronicled in pictures and words

contained on the CIS.

Jim Lyons, a columnist for the Adrian Daily Telegram, pointed out the value of the Central Lenawee system for citizens. “You cantour the entire area, checking property values, lot-size requirements, well-water availability and more without wasting gasoline or

spending hours going from one courthouse office to the other.”

How do local government officials use the CIS? In some communities they use it directly to inform the public. By the end of 1999,both the Owosso-Corunna and Grand Haven communities plan to make their CIS available over the Internet. Communities also useit to assist in decision-making processes. For example, the City of Grand Haven purchased a projector to be used with the CIS as a

decision-support tool during planning commission and town council meetings.

There are critical day-by-day uses as well. In Adrian, the city engineer uses the system frequently to identify township propertiesseeking access to city water supply systems. In Highland Charter Township, the supervisor uses the CIS to amass information on sitesproposed for development. In the City of Grand Haven, the deputy city manager uses the CIS to evaluate proposals for wireless

communications towers, taking note of local zoning controls, soil characteristics, and property assessments.

Several of the local governments involved make the CIS available to employees over local area networks. “All the information weneed to make public decisions is now at our fingertips,” said Michael Uskiewicz, City Manager, City of Escanaba.

37

“It t akes a lot of time to put th e information together, but thi s is going to

benefit people who don’t even realize it now! And I’m glad it’s around and

hopefully everyone will keep updating it.”

— Darla Falcon, Deputy Treasurer of the City of Gladstone



While immediately valuable, these uses are the building blocks for potentially even more significant long-term initiatives, in somecases adding critical weight to existing community interest in improved land use planning.

Building a Sense of Place gave impetus to the Huron 2020 land use planning project in the Huron Valley area of Oakland County.

Project participants initiated a similar effort in Lenawee County.

New initiatives also span jurisdictional divisions, bringing together officials from adjoining communities to team up on projects.

Concerned about threats posed by development to natural features, the Huron Valley Community is participating in a project

initiated by Oakland County’s Development and Planning Department and funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.Building on the intergovernmental cooperation established by Building a Sense of Place, the community is working with theCounty and three townships to the north to document wetlands, woodlots, river and stream corridors, and areas of biologicalsignificance. This new information will be incorporated by LIAA into the existing Huron Valley CIS. Compact discs containing the

new ecosystem information will be provided to public officials, citizens, and students throughout the five-township area.

New cooperation has also been a hallmark of the project in the Little Bay de Noc Community. The Building a Sense of Placeproject has helped the four participating municipalities replace what one official called “a history of animosity” with a number of cooperative initiatives, including the formation of the Little Bay de Noc Regional Council of Governments.

To participate in Building a Sense of Place, the City of Fremont joined with adjacent Sheridan Charter and Dayton Townships tosubmit a joint application and pay matching funds. The project helped foster intergovernmental relationships as well as providing thecritical data for land use planning. Perhaps the best measure of the improved partnership is that the City and Townships are nowdeveloping a joint master plan - one of the few in the state.

“This project really helped us move toward and enhance the cooperative spirit that contributed to joint planning,” observed HollyMoon, Supervisor of Dayton Township.38



Although many people do not see growth as an immediate threat, Building a Sense of Place clearly demonstrates that citizens dorecognize long-term losses, and they yearn for a way to prevent the destruction of what they love most. “We still have a tremendous

amount of open vacant land that has not been developed yet,” said one participant. “We have room for people. The question is, once

we put them there, will it change the atmosphere of the community?”

Said another: “I like to see growth in the city, but I also want to preserve the smallness - the small town feel, the closeness. Thesmaller the town, the closer people are. That’s what I’d like my children to grow up in, a small town.”

Still another: “Right now we are in favor of growth, but every time you drive some place you see another house on a 10-acre parcelbecause that’s what the zoning and township mandates. New subdivisions are springing up with no rhyme or reason. Sometimes theyharm the environment or stress the infrastructure.”

What these people and their peers are saying is that to sustain our communities, we must preserve the places that define them -

natural, historical, and cultural. Further, they have found reward in a process that calls upon them to help identify and educate

others about the importance of these features. By building an inventory of the community’s valued physical characteristics, residentscome in contact with the emotional characteristics that make a place home, a place worth conserving and managing wisely.

An equally important lesson is that citizens don’t limit their vision of community to the particular jurisdiction in which they live.

They have repeatedly demonstrated that the community they know does not stop at township, village, or city lines. People crossthose lines constantly to work, shop, or play. Yet the current land use process of master plans, zoning ordinances, and specific projectapprovals is built to consider only the interests of a single jurisdiction or governmental unit. Public sentiment points to a better wayin which governmental units work together across their boundaries to plan and grow a sustainable community. The success of public

officials and citizens in several Building a Sense of Place communities in doing just that, demonstrates it can work.

40



The state can become a partner in bringing about changes that Michigan citizens seek. By providing support for community-basedplanning processes that identify what is worth protecting and by stimulating intergovernmental cooperation, the state can promote a

future in which the character of Michigan communities is preserved and enhanced.

The newly articulated fears and hopes of citizens in communities across the state suggest the potential for improved land use plan-ning and zoning in Michigan. Focused on the protection of valued local characteristics, significant changes in state law and policy cansupport increased efforts by communities to define what they wish to protect and guide future growth more effectively.

With more than 1,800 local government jurisdictions in Michigan, We have only begun to explore the potential of Building a

Sense of Place processes and products to help shape that future. Relying on the interest, information, and participation of indi-vidual citizens, Building a Sense of Place is truly a bottom-up approach to the re-making of Michigan in the 21 st Century. Asmore communities face the critical and sometimes wrenching changes brought about by the absence of place-based planning and

zoning decisions, Building a Sense of Place will be ready to assist them in defining a shared and enduring community destiny.

41

“In many ways, we’re in the communication business. Planning is about

communications, understanding each other’s goals, dreams and visions.

Building A Sense of Place enables people to come together and share

their plans and communicate better where they want to be in the future.”

— Ryan Cotton, City Manager, City of Grand Haven

A di 1 B ildi S fPl Ad i



Appendix 1 - Building a Sense of Place Advisors

Central Lenawee

Scott Ambs

Harold Ball

Hilary Bergren

George BrownIreno Busato

Keith Dersham

Ted Dusseau

Brian Ehlert

Cecelia Eldridge

Julie Fosbender

Mark Gasche

Robert Gordon

Jan Hauser

Nina Howard

Michael Jacobitz

Carl KasterBob Kellum

Woody Kellum

Guenther Lengnick

Sam Lieto

Jim Lyons

Tina Marshall

Marty Marshall

Tom Mentzer

David Munson

Sharon Ott

Louis Rebottaro

Chuck Reisdorf

Paul Ruesink

Sam RyeFrancis Shaffer

Al Smith

Thomas VanWagner

Brian Zubak

Cindy Zubak

Alpena

Barbara Bakalarski

Alan Bakalarski

Dennis Bodem

Carl Bourdelais

Tim BrownBryan Dort

Amy Essex

Robert Haltiner

Donna Hammerquist

Tom Harmon

Tom Hilberg

Avis Hinks

Bruce Johnson

David Karschnick

Tom Kellogg

Les Klimaszewski

Lynn Kolasa

Ken Kolasa

Karen KroppeBryan Laurila

James Marquardt

Dick McElroy

Joyce McLain

John McVeety

Roger Mendel

Kim Miller

Guy Moulds

Mary Moulds

Al Nadeau

Camille Nerkowski

Vernie NethercutDavid Nordquist

Larry Orcutt

Deborah Pardike

James Peltier

Tom Reeder

Mike Reilly

Laurie Sauer

Robert Sevon

Carol Shafto

Jeff Shea

Connie Stafford

Judi Stillion

Richard Sullenger

Greg SundinJames Thompson

Maureen Turner

Marie Twite

Judie Vivian

Hur on Valley

Karen Adcock

Fran Ariff

Doug Arrowsmith

Ann Barnette

Sid Blitz

Karol BreenLiz Bryant

Lisa Burkhardt

Jim Caswell

Ann Collins

Karen Crywoski

Ruth Doerr

Daniel Duncan

Tom Dunleavy

Larry Falardeau

Suzanne Fleming

Debby Frazer

Mary Lou Gharrity

Marie Hewitt

Jude HollaranBecky Jacques

Bob Karr

Kathy Kavanaugh

Leslie Kettren

Dan Matonic

Jill Morey

Dorothy Moore

Lucy Mosher

Diane Needham

Kris Olsson

Pat Roan

Bret RaseganLen Radjewski

Donald Schaening

Debbie Schutt

Arthur Shufflebarger

John Stakoe

Lyle Tyler

Christina Yeager

Barbara Young

David Osborn

Maureen Martin

Meg MoynihanTom WoiwodeEdward Hagan

Bruce Jeffries

Lynelle Marolf Larry MerrilBill RustemDavid Skjaerland

Judy Soule

Julie Stoneman

BobTerryJohn WarbachAnne Woiwode

42

Community Advisory Committee MembersProject

Advisory Committee



Owosso-Corunna

Dick Batchelor

Mike Beaulac

Piper Brewer

Paul BrakeBill Constine

Thomas Cook

Jack Davis

Joe DeCaire

Dennis Dunnigan

Fred Furman

David George

Jack Gerhold

Pat Gilbert

Elle Gregoricke

Gregg Guetschow

Lila Han

Phil Hathaway

Lisa Hitchcock

George Hoddy

Victoria Kremski

Judy Lamphere

Lance Little

Cathleen Logan

Christine Mitchell

Gary Schultz

Dave Shulte

Anna Van Hyfte

David Vaughn

Carol Vaughn

Clare WalterBob Wilcox

Little Bay de Noc

Miles Anderson

Larry Arkens

Robert Becotte

Vince Bevins

Doug Bovin

Tom Boyne

Mary Cary

Deb Corden

Shae CrissonClifford Darcy

Tom Davis

Michael Dewar

Kevin Dubord

Michael Falcon

Darla Falcon

William Farley

Kathy Flagstadt

Terry Flower

Don French

Don Fyhr

Doug Gavriloff

Samantha Gibb-Roff

Craig GierkeLinda Gray

John Gustafson

James Hansen

Wayne Heikkila

Linda Hirvonen

Catherine Hockstad

Brian Horst

Naomi Hult

Warren Isaacson

Barb Joran

Ilene Kotajarvi

Jim LarsenRaymond Leach

Rick Lindstrom

Joan Martin

Anderson Miles

Dorothy Nichols

Doug Peterson

Arthur Pope

Dave Rivard

Jeanne Rose

Leslie Ruohomaki

Tony Schomin

Lori Schultz

Tom Sinnaeve

Richard StrattonPat Sundstrom

Marc Tall

Lorene Trotter

Michael Uskiewicz

Molly Varnadore

Patty Woerpel

Dave Woodworth

Bob Zacharski

Fremont

Donald Bont

Shelley BradenKay Cummings

Trude Denhof

Norm Goebel

Marsha Hankins

Randall Hill

Glenn Lamberg

Dave Lue

Judi McNally

Holly Moon

Roger Peacock

Raymond Rathbun

Richard Rought

Jack Sanderson

Rick SnyszShellie Taylor

Terry Wantz

Rich Wheater

Chuck Witteven

Diane Wykes

Chris Yonker

Tri-cities

Jerry Bakker

Phyllis Blake

Jim Bonamy

Bill CargoPhil Chalifoux

Ryan Cotton

Ami Curtiss

Dennis Craun

Mitch Deisch

Connie Farell

Joe Gabris

Marge Hendricks

John Johnson

Chris Kent

Ross Kittleman

Mark Knudsen

Carrie Larks

Andy Lukasik Helen Lystra

Ed Lystra

JoAnne Marcetti

Sheila McNally

Roger Morgenstern

Laurel Nease

Charles Nelson

John Nortier

Gail Ringelberg

Jan Ruvalcaba

Mark Schroeder

Joe SchroederClaire Sheridan

Gail Skrunch

George Steinbach

Mark VerBerkmoes

43



44

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS- To use the attached CD-ROM, you must have a personal computer using the Microsoft

Windows 958, 988, or NT8 operating system. Greater than 10 MB of free disk space is required to load the CD-ROM application.Additionally, the computer display must be set to 1024x768 pixel mode (XGA resolution) and at least 256 colors (much more ishighly recommended), with LARGE FONTS selected.

To get the most from the CD-ROM, we recommend a computer with a Pentium8-grade or better processor and a video display card

with at least 2 MB of RAM. The computer should also have an 8X or greater CD-ROM drive and speakers.

USING THIS CD-ROM - This CD-ROM application runs in the Microsoft Windows8 environment. Simply insert the disk intoyour CD drive and it should start automatically. You must accept the license agreement before using this CD-ROM. After acceptingthe license agreement, the menu screen appears with the three buttons: < INSTALL>; <RUN>; and <QUIT>. If the software has

not been previously installed on your system, you need to install it. Click the < INSTALL> button to load LIAA’s proprietarysoftware, the libraries, and DLLs required to run this CD-ROM. If the < INSTALL> button is disabled, the needed software isalready installed.

Your monitor display should be set to 1024x768 pixel mode with LARGE FONTS selected. Your monitor settings can be modified

by right-clicking on your desktop and selecting “Properties” from the pop-up menu. The settings are found under the “Setting “ tab.Click on the tab to display the “Settings” dialog box. Set the “Color Palette” to “256 colors” or greater (“True Color” is best). Set thedesktop area to 1024x768 pixels. Set the “Font Size” to LARGE FONTS. Use “Advanced” button in MS Windows 988. Click the“OK” button at the bottom of the box to save the changes. To complete these changes, you may be required to restart you computer.

After the CD-ROM has been installed, click the < RUN> button to start it . When you are finished using the CD-ROM, click thered “Quit” button at the top right of the screen. Next, click <QUIT> to end use of the CD-ROM and it will automatically ejectfrom the CD drive.

Note - This CD-ROM may not be compatible with computers that use the earliest versions of Microsoft Windows 958 (Versions

4.00.950 and 4.00.950.a) without first installing a free patch; available from our web site. For a 2-page “Troubleshooting Guide,”please send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to LIAA - Help Desk, 322 Munson Ave., Traverse City, MI 49686 or visit our WEB

site at http:www.liaa.org.

Appendix 2- Using the Building a Sense of Place Digital Mapping & Multimedia CD-ROM

Building Sense of Place

Documents

Transcript of Building Sense of Place