Subject: LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Please add my attached (and below) letter for publication in the next Letters to the Editor section of the Harbor Light. REFUSED TO PRINT

“Is it all about money? The City Council recently enacted a zoning ordinance which will now appear on the ballot this November allowing Harbor Springs voters the opportunity to evaluate and reject or approve the ordinance. The mayor and City Council did everything in their power to stop the question from being placed on the ballot, but the voters spoke with force via a voter referendum petition to make sure voters have a chance to evaluate the new ordinance. The resistance makes HS residents wonder what is going on. The only conclusion is that the City Council wants a way to increase density in the city that will lead to more tax revenue!

There are some good updates in the new zoning ordinance that is currently on hold until the election, but many undesirable things such as the burden of qualifying as a Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC).  Although the City Zoning Board claims they never discussed RRC in their meetings, it is clearly the backbone of many of the new sections of the zoning ordinance and requires our community to continually qualify. Among the draconian provisions of the RRC is the requirement that the City of Harbor Springs “maintain an updated list of at least three priority (‘development ready’) sites” each year that are “actively marketed” with a “vision that includes desired development outcomes.”  More money?

At least one Council member said the RRC certification provisions of the new zoning ordinance were done to obtain financial “grants (i.e., money) from the State” of Michigan. However, Michigan State Senator John Damoose made it clear that Harbor Springs is not a special exception, stating “…one thing I will not do is look for a special exception for our town if that is the request…Harbor Springs should have to play by the same rules as everybody else.”

Another extremely disturbing part of the zoning ordinance is the elimination of oversight by the zoning and building departments for such things as building a duplex and/or being able to add an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) on an existing lot. No oversight!  “By right” is the description in the new zoning code and it eliminates any input or objection by neighboring property owners.

A particularly disturbing provision is the new minimum lot width of 52 feet and the minimum allowable side-yard setback distance of only 8 ft. These dimensions will allow developers the ability to increase the density on many HS lots. The zoning ordinance also changed the classification on large portions of HS land to make room for high density development on a large scale. The clear motivator here is the resulting increase in tax revenues (more money) once developers get their hands on the available land.

The worst part of the recent decision on changing the zoning after 70+ years is the Council’s ignoring the petitions with over 1,000 signatures from residents and proceeding to pass the zoning legislation in May – notably before the summer residents returned to Harbor Springs. Cries to the Council to slow down and allow others to become informed fell on deaf ears. One council member even said she only “represented voters” – ignoring the fact that over 62% of the residents of Harbor Springs do not vote here and, incidentally, pay 80% of the HS taxes!

This fall vote for a mayor and 3 new council members that will listen to the voters AND be sure to VOTE “YES” on the referendum – to send the zoning ordinance revisions back and allow the HS Planning Commission Council to revise the ordinance so it maintains the charm and character of Harbor Springs – for years to come.

Mike Kilbourn
703 Dellwood Lane
Harbor Springs, MI