FAQs
Q. Is NCV still seeking donations now that the property has been acquired?
NCV has succeeded in its 2-year long goal to purchase the property formerly known as Timber Shores. While the 189-acre nature preserve is now being stewarded by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, NCV will continue to fundraise towards the planning and development of the attainable housing portion of the project, located on the 25 acres now owned by NCV that is adjacent to the nature preserve. Please help us to create homes for our local community!
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Q. Who owns the 189-acre nature preserve?
189 acres will now be preserved in perpetuity, owned by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians through the GTB Land Trust and to be restored and stewarded by the GTB’s Natural Resources Department.
Q. What are the plans for restoration on the nature preserve?
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB) will lead restoration and stewardship of this rare parcel that will focus on its unique inventory of natural features including a partially protected cold-water creek, critical shoreline and in-water habitats that are essential to productive and sustainable fisheries. GTB has preliminary plans outlined in the federal NOAA grant award to remove debris from the former campground and marina, restore cobble substrate along the shoreline, and revegetate parts of the property with native plants. GTB will host tribal-led visioning sessions open to the community as part of planning to preserve the land, restore ecosystems, utilize Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and prepare for climate hazards to come.
Q. What will the nature preserve part of the property be called?
It is our understanding that it will now be known by its traditional and historic Anishinaabemowin name: Mashkiigaki, meaning marsh lands and place of the medicine.
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Q . Will there be public access to the nature preserve?
The nature preserve will allow public educational and/or recreational use in designated areas for activities such as hiking, bird watching, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, all under the stewardship of the GTB.​
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Q. How big is the housing portion of your plan and where will it be located on the property?
Twenty-five acres on the northwest side of the property bordering M-22 is now owned by NCV and is set aside for attainable housing, which is crucial to the growing Leelanau community. This parcel will be developed with community input and in collaboration with Peninsula Housing (PH), a Suttons Bay-based non-profit community land trust. Together, PH and NCV will facilitate community input into designing right-sized, sustainably developed housing to support the local community.
“Peninsula Housing looks forward to working over the coming months to develop and implement a plan for this site that fits the needs of the community, to provide housing that will remain affordable for generations to come,” said Larry Mawby, president of Peninsula Housing. “I believe this collaboration between Peninsula Housing and New Community Vision can be a model of success beyond our region.”
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Q. Is attainable housing needed in Leelanau?
The critical need for attainable housing is clear, as evidenced from very recent surveys and research by Bowen National Research, commissioned by Housing North. For example, nearly 62 percent of workers in Leelanau County travel in from outside the county. Moreover, the report found that Leelanau County needs 2,335 additional attainable housing units with 382 of these as rentals at affordable rates and 1,953 of these as owner-occupied dwellings at an affordable mortgage. Drawing on similar data and many of the same local and regional experts, the results of a special analysis were presented in March 2023 showing that our ownership level need is 32 rentals at $1,000 or less monthly and 16 owner units at $250,000 or less. For more information, the recent work led by the Leelanau Township Community Foundation is available here on their website.
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Q . Who will be able to get these homes?
People who live and work here. Local, county-based organizations working on attainable housing such as Peninsula Housing and Homestretch have experience and tested processes to ensure such homes go to those who need them and that the homes remain attainable housing stock into the future. Our community already has two positive experiences on which to build, most recently the four units known at Vincer West. ​
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Q. What if I don't see the answer to my question here?
Send us an email to info@newcommunityvision.org or use the contact form.
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