East Bay Township, MI

The Township Behind the Bayfront Boom

One of the Fastest Growing Communities in Michigan for Good Reason

East Bay Township is one of the fastest-growing communities in Michigan, guided by thoughtful planning and a steady commitment to sustainable growth. While neighboring Traverse City draws national attention, East Bay is quietly laying the groundwork for long-term livability through strategic investment and a commitment to preserving what makes the region special.

“East Bay is home,” says Beth Friend, Township Supervisor. “It’s a place where you can raise a family, send your kids to school, go to church, enjoy the outdoors, and age in place. We’re seeing people choose to stay here for life—and that says something.”

Claire Karner, Director of Planning and Zoning, highlights the complexity of the East Bay’s role in the broader regional context. “We’re not Traverse City, but we’re part of its ecosystem. That proximity shapes our identity, but we’ve got our own mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial corridors, schools, and parks. It’s diverse, and that creates both opportunity and challenge.”

While closely connected to Traverse City, East Bay Township stands apart with its own strong identity and expansive footprint. It’s home to six schools, a district branch library, a network of churches, and a wide array of essential amenities. The township also boasts the largest amount of state-owned land in Grand Traverse County, nearly 3,000 acres, along with its own growing park system. Over the last five years, more than 1,000 acres of land have been added to preserved areas through the efforts of townships and partnerships.

“We’ve had growth, yes—but it’s been balanced,” says Friend. “Economic development happens in the right places, and conservation happens where it matters. You can’t stop change, but you can shape it.”

Challenges Met with Innovation

Like communities across the country, East Bay faced pandemic-related challenges. But unlike private businesses, townships can’t pause. “People still needed to vote, pay taxes, have their properties assessed, and receive emergency services,” Friend explains.

Compounding those demands was a lean staffing model that’s been stretched thin by the community’s rapid growth. The solution? Strategic partnerships, internships, fellowships, and an aggressive pursuit of grants.

“In the last five years, we’ve brought in fellows and interns who’ve helped us move key initiatives forward,” Friend says. “And we’ve been relentless in pursuing funding—federal, state, private. That’s what allowed us to take on big projects like sewer renovations, multimodal trails, and beach district visioning.”

Karner notes that balancing expectations has been a central challenge. “People expect a high level of service, but we’re still a township. We don’t collect city-level taxes, and our public works department is limited to water and sewer services—we don’t have a transportation division or handle broader public works,” she explains. “We’ve worked hard to secure more than $2 million in trail and placemaking grants, and we’ve contributed township funds to leverage those dollars into long-term infrastructure.”

Proactive Infrastructure

Infrastructure in East Bay goes beyond what’s visible. The township owns and operates its water system and partners regionally for sewer treatment, critical services that are being modernized with foresight.

“We’ve planned an $11 million sewer project, not because something is failing, but because we want to avoid future problems,” says Friend. “We live near major watersheds and Lake Michigan. We can’t afford environmental risks.”

The township also secured $3 million in grants for the sewer project and additional funding to help connect 20 homes to municipal water systems after PFAS contamination was detected in nearby areas.

Dual Engines of Growth

East Bay Township has experienced a significant surge in hospitality development, emerging as the unofficial lodging hub for the greater Traverse City region. Thanks to its prime location along the East Grand Traverse Bay and proximity to key corridors, it’s now home to a large concentration of hotel accommodations that serve the broader northern Michigan tourism economy.

“We’ve approved over 800 new hotel rooms in the past few years, and there are more on the horizon,” says Karner. “It’s a major driver for the local economy, but it doesn’t take away from the residential feel of the community.”

Friend echoes that sentiment. “It’s not like Orlando. Even with all the visitors, this is still a relaxed, family-oriented place. It’s easy to live here. You can go for a walk, ride your bike, send your kids to camp, and still feel like you’re part of a real hometown.”

Residential development has kept pace, with innovative projects that respond to the evolving needs of the market. One example is a rental-only development of single-family homes, an uncommon model in the region, with 20% of the units designated for workforce housing. Another project preserved a well-loved golf course within the layout of a new neighborhood, blending community heritage with modern residential options and open space.

“We’re seeing thoughtful development,” says Friend. “Developers are recognizing the value of what’s already here and building with that in mind, enhancing the character of the township, not replacing it.”

Reimagining the Bayfront Experience

Perhaps the most ambitious undertaking in East Bay is the transformation of the East Bay Beach District along US-31, the highest-traffic corridor in Grand Traverse County.

“Historically, it’s been a pass-through area, full of private investment—restaurants, hotels—but lacking public infrastructure,” says Karner. “We wanted to change that.”

The township secured two federal grants—one from the USDA and one from Michigan’s Coastal Management Program—to launch a community-led design process. Through workshops, charrettes, and steering committees, residents and business owners envisioned a more vibrant, walkable, and locally inclusive district.

The outcome: new branding and signage, a dedicated website, public access planning, proposed pedestrian crossings, and even a public pier with kayak and canoe access.

“We’re not just building a destination for tourists,” Karner emphasizes. “We’re creating a third space for locals—somewhere to bike, walk, dine, and enjoy the water.”

To fund the infrastructure, the township is establishing a Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA), which will reinvest increases in property value directly back into the district, without raising taxes.

“It’s smart growth,” says Friend. “Taxpayers see their money working right where they live and work.”

When Partners Become Catalysts

Much of East Bay Township’s success is rooted in collaboration. Rather than tackling major initiatives alone, the township has leaned on public, private, and nonprofit partners to amplify its impact. One standout example is the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, which turned a former golf course into its headquarters and surrounding preserve. The project revitalized a cherished local site while expanding access to nature and linking directly into East Bay’s growing trail system.

TART Trails has also been instrumental. “They’re not just advocates—they’re partners,” Karner says. “They’ve helped with public engagement, easements, engineering, and fundraising.” With nearly $15 million in trail investments underway, the township’s $1 million contribution has been multiplied many times over through TART’s support and access to private and federal funding. Additional partners, such as Norte, Traverse Connect, and the County Brownfield Authority, have provided programming, policy support, and innovative financing tools that help bring East Bay’s big-picture vision to reality.

Growth that Reflects Community Values

When asked to envision the next five to ten years, both leaders are optimistic.

“I think East Bay Corners—the area around our township hall—is going to look completely different,” says Karner. “There’s a new civic plaza coming, new crossings, new trail segments, and we’re in year two of our farmer’s market. We’ll also have a community garden up and running soon.”

All this ties back to the township’s 2023 Master Plan, which prioritized connectivity, community gathering spaces, and recreational investment.

“We’re creating places where people want to be, places that support mental health, active living, and neighborhood pride,” Friend adds.

The township is also leading the way in environmentally conscious zoning. With newly passed ordinances that protect wetlands, preserve tree canopy, and encourage diverse housing types, East Bay is balancing development with stewardship.

“Our new zoning code was rewritten in just two years, unheard of at the local level, and it just won a national award from the American Planning Association,” says Friend. “It encourages density where infrastructure exists, and preservation where it matters most.”

Housing diversity and access to childcare are also top priorities. The zoning updates now permit duplexes, triplexes, townhomes, and other multi-unit dwellings in traditionally low-density areas. Childcare facilities are allowed by right across all commercial and multi-family zones.

“We’re not just reacting—we’re planning,” Karner emphasizes. “We want to support all ages and stages of life here. That means offering more than just single-family homes.”

Keeping Pace with Purpose

At a time when many growing communities are struggling to keep pace with change, East Bay Township is showing how to do it thoughtfully. Through collaboration, innovation, and deep community engagement, the township is crafting a future that respects its roots while making space for new possibilities.

“We’re going to keep that momentum,” says Friend. “We’ll keep investing in trails, expanding housing choices, and protecting our natural areas. Because people want to live here, and we want to make sure that when they do, they feel like they belong.”

AT A GLANCE

Who: East Bay Township

What: A scenic, rapidly growing community in northern Michigan known for its natural beauty, strong planning efforts, and commitment to balanced development.

Where: Located in Grand Traverse County in the northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan, U.S., just east and south of Traverse City.

Website: www.eastbaytwp.org