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. In 2021, Claire was named one of the region's 40 Under 40 by the Traverse City Business News. Claire can be reached at (231) 947-8681 ext. 2 or ckarner@eastbaytwp.org.

Zoning Administrator: Preston Taylor holds an associate degree from Northwestern Michigan College in Law Enforcement and a bachelor’s degree from Spring Arbor University in Management and organizational development.  Preston Graduated NMC’s police academy in 1996 and served as a police officer for two years with Kalkaska County Sheriff’s Office and 22 years with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff Department.  Preston’s last three years with the Grand Traverse County Sheriff Department were spent assigned to East Bay Township as a community police officer.  Preston is responsible for zoning enforcement and issuing land use permits and can be reached at (231)-947-8681 ext. 3 or ptaylor@eastbaytwp.org.

Planning & Zoning Office Specialist: Leslie Couturier is a Certified Zoning Administrator and has worked at East Bay Township for 30 years. Her responsibilities include reviewing applications for completeness, sending out public notices, records retention for the department, and administering the short-term rental program. She attends Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals meetings and serves as the recording secretary. Leslie can be reached at (231) 947-8681 ext. 4 or lc@eastbaytwp.org.