Associated Press

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. — A proposal in Traverse City seeks to curb taller buildings amid debate about how they affect the character of the popular northern Michigan tourist destination.

The nonprofit group Save Our Downtown has submitted a proposed charter amendment for review that would require a majority of city voters to approve any building projects exceeding 60 feet tall, the Traverse City Record-Eagle reported.

The group would need 601 petition signatures to put the question before voters. The amendment would limit the power of the city commission by banning its ability to review any proposal for a building taller than five stories until after a majority of voters grant approval.

"Some people say the times are changing and this is not the Traverse City of old, and that the people will approve a nine-story building," said Brenda Quick, one of the group's organizers. "And that's fine. We can accept that."

The proposed amendment comes in response to the city commission's approval of two nine-story buildings as part of the Pine Street project. The mixed-use development includes parking, housing and commercial space and those involved in the project said it fits with the neighborhood.

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"Obviously the Pine Street project brought this tall-building issue to the forefront," said attorney Jay Zelenock, who drafted the amendment. "Concerned citizens and downtown residents want the people to have a voice in the development of the city going forward."

The Save Our Downtown gathered more than 700 valid signatures for a petition to strike down the zoning code that allowed 100-foot-tall buildings, but a court ruled that change in state law no longer allowed voters in cities to change zoning at the ballot box.

Joe Quandt, an attorney representing the Pine Street developers, said he questions the legality of the charter proposed amendment given that ruling and other court rulings.

"It's the same thing, a duck is a duck and you can't change a duck by calling it a weasel," Quandt said.

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