Planning and Zoning

The Planning & Zoning Department works closely with property owners on land use issues within the Township. Land use is guided by the Township's Master Plan, and is incorporated into Township zoning ordinances. The Planning & Zoning Department also provides support and recommendations to the Planning Commission, Township Board of Trustees, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. 

To learn more about current projects in the Planning & Zoning Department, or to access the Master Plan, Zoning Ordinance, or other forms, click the tabs on the left.

If you have any questions regarding the use of property within East Bay Charter Township, the Planning & Zoning Department is here to help.

Director of Planning & Zoning: Claire Karner, AICP,  holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in Natural Resources and Environment, and a master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Oregon. In Oregon, her initial career experience included transportation planning. As a Traverse City native, Claire moved back to the area in 2013. Prior to joining the township as Director of Planning and Zoning in December 2019, Claire worked as a Community Planner with Land Information Access Association across the state and with Beckett & Raeder in the northwest region of Michigan. Claire can be reached at (231) 947-8681 ext. 2 or ckarner@eastbaytwp.org.

Zoning Administrator: Leslie Couturier is a Certified Zoning Administrator & Planning Specialist. Her responsibilities include accepting and reviewing zoning permit applications and determining compliance with the Zoning Ordinance, completeness of applications, issuing land-use permits. She attends Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings. Leslie can be reached at (231) 947-8681 ext. 3 or lcouturier@eastbaytwp.org. 


Planning & Zoning Intern: Jake Myers is a University of Michigan graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in History. Jake will be returning to school for graduate studies in Urban Planning in the Fall of 2021. As Jake undertakes the Graduate Record Examinations and researches universities, he will be assisting the Planning & Zoning Department on a variety of issues.  Jake can be reached at (231) 947-8681 ext. 4 or jmyers@eastbaytwp.org.