Work on East Traverse Lake Road was completed early in October. Cleveland Township has been improving this road over the last two years through cost-share agreements with the County Road Commission, where the Road Commission covers a portion of the costs.
This summer, crews replaced culverts and repaved the bend around the northeast corner of Little Traverse Lake that leads to M-22. The township agreed to shoulder 60% of the costs, with the road commission providing the remaining 40%. Township Supervisor Tim Stein said this means the township will soon receive a $198,000 bill for the project.
Now that work on Traverse Lake Road is completed, the township board is considering lowering the speed limit there. According to Stein, the speed limit on this road is currently 40 mph, and the Little Traverse Lake Property Owners Association sent a letter asking for it to be reduced to 35 mph.
The township board agreed to lower the speed limit either by having it enforced as a residential area – which it really is, according to Stein – or through a speed study by the county road commission and Michigan State Police. The first of the two options was considered preferable because it would allow the township to avoid a potentially lengthier process.
The township and road commission may continue working on Traverse Lake Road next year, but since that portion of the road would intersect Segment 9 of the Sleeping Bear Dunes Heritage Trail, that may involve coordinating with the National Park Service. Despite some local opposition to the project, Traverse Area Recreation Trails are still planning to move forward with the extension.
Also at the Cleveland Township board’s Oct. 8 meeting, the board renewed its contract with the software company Granicus for about $5,000. Granicus provides ongoing monitoring of short-term rental listings in their jurisdiction on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO and operates a 24/7 hotline for community members to make complaints.
The board also agreed to pursue a contract with Spectrum Charter to provide faster internet for the town hall at 955 W. Harbor Hwy. Stein said the monthly fee would be between $75-80 a month depending on whether they set up automatic payments. The board plans to wait until after the Nov. 5 elections to make the switch, however.
