Traverse City commissioners Monday agreed to schedule a special study session for August 31 and a public hearing for September 21 on a proposed nine-story development at the corner of Pine and Front streets.

The study session will give commissioners an opportunity to ask detailed questions of the project developers and address any unresolved issues prior to the public hearing, when they’ll decide whether to approve a special land use permit (SLUP) allowing the developers to build up to 96 feet instead of the 60 feet allowed by right on the property. Numerous residents spoke out Monday both in favor and opposition of the estimated $45 million project, which is set to bring 162 residential units – including 64 affordable housing apartments – and 25,000 square feet of commercial and restaurant space to downtown Traverse City.

While project consultant Doug Mansfield said the development met “every ordinance” and “every plan” in Traverse City, Commissioner Ross Richardson countered that “that’s true, but you’re at the absolute minimum for everything,” referring to regulations such as required property setbacks and dock lines. “You’re right up against the sidewalk, right up against the river,” continued Richardson. His comments reflected those of several commissioners who’ve expressed their intention to closely scrutinize the project prior to making a decision on the SLUP request.

“I don’t want to undertake a project like this without careful consideration of how it will affect the peace, health and safety of this community,” said Commissioner Jeanine Easterday. “I really want to make sure we’re doing this correctly.” Traverse City Mayor Michael Estes also asked developers to come to the August 31 meeting prepared to answer “every question” asked by commissioners, including why the project has to proceed as a nine-story development instead of a five-story one.

Commissioners also delayed making a decision on whether to approve a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) agreement with The Woda Group that would apply to the affordable housing apartments on the property, preferring to consider the issue concurrently with the SLUP request.

Commissioners Monday also approved a request from the Commission on Aging (COA) to allow a food truck to operate at the Traverse City Senior Center; gave the green light to an "Adopt-A-Commissioner Youth Engagement Program" that would pair city commissioners with local high school students in a mentoring relationship as a pilot project for the 2015-16 school year; and reappointed four members to the Brown Bridge Advisory Committee, including Paul Maxbauer, Michael Kreft, Judi Nemitz and Deni Scrudato.