Blog and Letters
Harbor Springs
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Harbor Light January 15, 2025
admin. note: We have bolded and italicized this story to make the reading a bit more simple.
Harbor Light January 15, 2025
Planning commission considers options for
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Can our town become better? More green?
LEED for Cities and Communities helps local leaders create and operationalize responsible, sustainable and specific plans for natural systems, energy, water, waste, transportation and many
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Letter to Editor – M.Kilbourn About the RRC – Refused at Harbor Light
LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF THE HARBOR LIGHT
January 9, 2025
Please accept this letter for publication in the Letters to the Editor:
The City Council enacted a
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80 People filled out recent Economic Survey. 13 pages of great answers for & against.
https://www.cityofharborsprings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/All-Survey-Results-ECON.pdf
This Economic Survey was produced in November 2024. The answers are telling, rewarding the attempts to build Harbor Springs into a full time year round
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Those that Volunteered to Serve – Thank you – Here is the list
Use this link to download. More detail under construction.
2024 HS Board Applications
5A – Appoint Board and Commission Members
Background
The City has several board and commission positions
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RRC Video’s by MEDC – Everything needed to see about the RRC Trends
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsigyS4eGucEll48ko0yd8Q/videos
#image_title
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Skiers Visit Harbor Springs at Christmas –
Here is the LINK to our Last Minute Shopping Extravaganza with PDF’s so you can reach right out to the stores.
Last minute shopping3
Harbor Springs Stores
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Prep for the Future – Let’s start here Shoreline Resiliency
From the June 20th Meet at Planning Commission with the Shoreline Resiliency slide show being presented by Beckett & Raeder Harbor Springs Planner John Iacoangeli
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3PVJzj1_11w
Go
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What is the DDA? What does it do?
The DDA is integral to the MEDC’s (Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s) plan/process across the State of Michigan. Small towns, large towns are all being swept
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Letter to Harbor Light Editor 12.11.24 Published here in entirety from Robert Hall
December 10, 2024
Dear Editor,
The Planning Commission has done the right thing by Harbor Springs voters and reinstated our original zoning code. And the City Council
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List made for PC Meet on December 5th – Add your points of views…
PC MEETING DCEMBER 5 THURSDAY – PUBLIC COMMENT
ZOOM: Since 60% of our residents are second homeowners, we need a new communication strategy. When on
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Educate on the subject of Conflict of Interest – First Published June 2024
Conflict of interest is defined as an actual or perceived interest by a staff or board member in an action that results in, or has
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Conflict of Interest (COI) : Letter to City Council
From: Ashley O’Reilly <ashleymkor@icloud.com>
Date: December 5, 2024 at 5:23:17 PM GMT
To: Graham Tom <tom@grahamre.com>, Michael Behrmann <mhbehrmann@gmail.com>, Jamie Melke <Jamielynnmelke@gmail.com>, kathy.motschall@yahoo.com, wendy@reeve4hscouncil.com
Cc: Victor Sinadinoski <citymgr@cityofharborsprings.com>
Subject: When conflicts of interests are addressed, the
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RRC & WLHS Questions about Growth
Growth Council Report
https://growingmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2023-12-14-GMTC-Final-Report-2.pdf
Pg 53 ‘Developing and rehabilitating our housing stock to create more and denser housing and additional live-work options will better match the lifestyle
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December 5th, 2024 Public Hearing
The City Council held a ”special meeting’ on November 7th, to discuss the zoning after the repeal of #439. The City Attorney unequivocally stated that,
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Who are all the people that run the City ? Lists Under Construction
City Planner John Iacoangeli (Beckett & Raeder) – Reviews Planning Commission submissions; advises the PC and staff on planning/zoning issues; and assists in updating the
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An Argument Made: Sometimes, when you go slower, you get to your destination faster:
For the Government to have legitimacy, it needs to meet two requirements
1) To be engaging and transparent
2) To be believed they are engaging and transparent
350
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We assert that the existing residents & property owners Harbor Springs should determine the future of the city
As we try to Preserve and Protect Harbor Springs, we want to be clear eyed as to the importance of following in the footsteps of
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11.2024 WLHS About
A summary on various points being raised on interviews about WLHS.
1) WLHS is driven by more than 30 volunteers focused on the issue. With a
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In Harbor Springs We Trust, Compilation 10.21.24
Title: In Harbor Springs, We Trust
Date: Compiled 10.21.24
Introduction:
On October 17, 2024, just 19 days before the upcoming election, the community of Harbor Springs uncovered troubling
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MEDC RRC 11.11.24 Traverse City Problem Solving with DDA
This thread is “under construction”
Here is a LINK: https://www.traverseticker.com/news/dda-weighs-uncertain-future/
DDA Weighs Uncertain Future
By Beth Milligan | Oct. 25, 2024
With two proposals on the ballot that could
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RRC History & Michigan Economic Development Corporation’s (MEDC) Grants Projects: Up North 2019 – 2024
The Enrolment of Harbor Springs in the RRC
During the Master Plan process, January 2020
Jeff Grimm asked each planning commission member to complete a RRC questionnaire;
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Why RRC ? Some History
HISTORY: Anyone who supports the Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC) views, rules and regulations may have missed a valuable story of how Harbor Springs became a
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RRC ? Now ? Later ? Learn from this Survey
HISTORY: Anyone who supports the Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC) its’ long long views, their rules and lots of regulations may have missed a valuable story
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What is the RRC ? Does Harbor Springs want or need the RRC?
Months ago we wrote a newsletter that talks about the Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC) & Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) Here’s the link: https://wlhs.substack.com/p/wlhs-redevelopment-ready-community
Here’s the
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History of the MEDC/RRC and its almost failure. Report #1 of 2
We hope you can get through this lengthy article; https://www.mackinac.org/S2009-06#executive-summary
2009 MEDC and it’s failures and costs to the State coffers – the entire project could
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Five Reasons to end the MEDC – Research Report #2 of 2
Did Harbor Springs City Manager do the homework before signing up for the MEDC/RRC process? This article is from January 25, 2019.
https://www.mackinac.org/five-reasons-to-end-the-michigan-economic-development-corporation
The Michigan Economic Development
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Harbor Springs has been engaged with the RRC for years…. are we educated enough to know what’s next?
MEDC/RRC What’s in it for Harbor Springs?
Helpful learning from our seemingly really remote and quiet neighbors to the North. Towns in the Upper Peninsula like
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In Harbor Springs We Trust 10.21.24
In Harbor Springs, We Trust Compiled 10.21.24 Prepared for the Town Hall.
On October 17th, 2024 only 19 days before the Nov. 5th election, we learned
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By-Right Zoning: Good for Consultants and Developers; Bad for Harbor Springs
Everyone loves Harbor, but everyone doesn’t love the NO & YES vote. We were successful on getting the new zoning code on the November 5th
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9.1.24 Rural or Urban? The importance of remaining rural
While reading – it hit me – we here in Harbor Springs are a rural town among a county with shared community services. Seasonal population
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10.9.24 About Three Story Buildings & What the New Zoning does to Harbor Springs
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) typically focuses on economic development rather than specific zoning laws. Zoning policies for three-story buildings would more likely be
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Down Town & Two Story Buildings 9.08.24
One concerned voter writes:
‘Future Land Use’
In the 2012 Vision documents and research on the future land use, the documents @did NOT encourage changing height of
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Three Story Buildings Matter in Harbor Springs – Protect our Views in November
From our friends:
Here is a link from the Bluff showing that if three story buildings continue to be allowed, now with the new zoning, “by
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What We Want, (Changes to the Proposed Zoning Code) Submitted 5.20.24
May 6th, 2024
SPECIFIC CONCERNS
Overall message/goal: Preserve the character and charm of Harbor Springs.
Our goal is to protect the integrity and character of Harbor Springs. Since
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Postal delays and your absentee ballots! 9.12.24
To piggy back on the warning about the slow service from the USPS, we may want to reinforce the importance of carefully following the directions
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Letter refused at Harbor Light, published here. 8.28.24
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.
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Is there always a need for clarifications? ZONING MATTERS by LTBHP
It’s better when we can clarify/confirm any news that is published. Thank you for the opportunity.
The below article was posted in the Little Traverse Bay
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One reason to Vote Yes to Repeal & Replace Ordinance #439 Zoning Code on November 5th
https://www.voteyes439.org/why-vote-yes-on-439
THE RIGHT TO FARM: Or the Right to protect the Agricultural District.
With 22 reasons to Vote Yes to repeal and replace Ordinance #439 Zoning Code,
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9.4.24 Petoskey News Review Story
Wed Sep 4 2024
HARBOR SPRINGS
City shares official wording for ballot item
Karly Graham
The Petoskey News-Review | USA TODAY NETWORK
HARBOR SPRINGS — The City of Harbor Springs
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8.7.24 Petoskey News Review – Harbor Springs declares referendum petition ‘defective,’ puts issue on the ballot anyway.
— Contact reporter Karly Graham atkgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow her on Twitter at@KarlyGrahamJRN. HARBOR SPRINGS — The City of Harbor Springs deemed a petition to put a referendum on the
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FRONT PAGE NEWS Petoskey 7.19.24
Harbor Springs passed a new zoning code.
Residents are working on a referendum to pause it
The Petoskey News-Review— Contact reporter Karly Graham at kgraham@petoskeynews.com. Follow
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Labor Day Observation – Part 1 – Please Vote Yes to Repeal Ordinance #439
Communities throughout Michigan and many states are burdened with the same question; how to make housing affordable?
Harbor Springs may struggle with – what is ‘affordable’
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Resort Town or a Year Round Livable Historic Town? The Best Lake Town
The writer of this wonderful story uses the word “historic” about 25 times and every positive note is conveyed due to its utter lack of
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Affordable Housing 101 – Start Here to Listen & Learn what Michigan is accomplishing
This is the Housing 101 video we’d like to premiere in Harbor Springs. Let’s start here. Thanks to Nicki at the Petoskey Chamber!
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6.26.2024 Our Community and Our Voice
Letter To the Editor:
‘Our Community; Our Voice’
What we want, isn’t it a community that Council can depend on; a community of voices, of ideas, of
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Housing Updates & our Neighbors 6.24
“The urbanization of Boyne City, characterized by the construction of massive four storey buildings threatens to undermine the small town charm and unique character that
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Petoskey News 5.22.24 Harbor Springs council passes new zoning code despite public pushback
KARLY GRAHAM The Petoskey News-Review HARBOR SPRINGS — A zoning code update that’s been in the works since 2022 was approved by the Harbor Springs
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Corrections: Please contact WLHS for any requests or complaints
7.23.24 In the past, from February 8th to recently, the property to the west of Bluff Gardens – Harbor Springs iconic store with large cutting
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Correction made:What’s Happening to the Mobile Home Park? 5.06.2014
05/06/2024
UPDATE & Correction. WLHS researched and found the ownership of the trailer park had changed, but only within the family – not as a new
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Information on Long-term, Mid-Term and Short Term Rentals and Housing – details coming soon.
07/16/2024
In mid-August, the City of Harbor Springs is going to open up the subject of STR’s again. Please attend the meetings and read below, for
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Visuals of Harbor Springs Future
May 2024 UPDATE: The new zoning now allows three story buildings.
These are the allowed three story buildings “by right” decided by City Council
While it is
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WLHS Town Hall Meeting Dates May 2024
The “We Love Harbor Springs” team is hosting two Town Hall meetings via Zoom, dedicated to discussing the proposed zoning changes that will shape the
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Unintended Consequences, Please sign the Change . Org Petition 4.30.24
To the Harbor Springs Community,
Regarding the Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC) National & Michigan Program: There are unintended consequences that I believe have not been thought
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City of HS Newsletter
03/15/2024
I got this synopsis written by Victor of HS progress in the RRC process off the cities website 3 days ago…..chilling.
“We probably have another year
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Letter to City Council and Community
Hello and thank-you for allowing us to keep you informed of the ‘dots’ we are connecting.
This is the link to the current Harbor Springs –
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Letter to the City of HS – from Wendy Reeve
03/15/2024
I have attended all 3 zoning commission meetings held within the last 3 weeks. An investment of 9 hours to familiarize myself with this many
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Letter to Editor: Redevelopment is a Trigger Word
“Redevelopment is a Trigger Word”
A few comments concerning the most recent changes to the zoning code discussion.
Collapsing zoning districts from 17 to 9 makes good
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Letter to the Editor: Regarding Nancy Rondell & Hope 4.30.24
Dear Editor:
In an October 2020 interview with the Harbor Light, while running for city council, Councilwoman Nancy Rondell highlighted the importance of local government in
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Silence Speaks Volumes
Letter to the Editor: In May 2019, having lived in Harbor Springs for less than one month, the newly appointed city manager, Victor Sinadinoski, for
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Request to the Mayor’s before May 20th, 2024
The City is proposing the largest change in Harbor Springs zoning, perhaps ever. It affects every one of the 1,600 property owners, and they each
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“Affordable Housing has left the station”: Letter to Editor 4.30.24
Dear Editor:
I write not as a “character assassin,” a term carelessly thrown around by a Planning Commission Member, but rather as a concerned citizen intent
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To the Community – Now 4.24- 8.11.24
03/18/2024
To members of the City Council;
This paragraph is in reference to the delicate and important balance principle homeowners and most importantly second homeowners play in
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Letter please for a Town Hall 4.3.24
From: Karin Offield
Subject: Letter from Karin Offield about a Town Hall scheduling
Date: April 3, 2024 at 5:09:59 PM EDT
To: Matt Bugera <mjBugera@gmail.com>, Jamielynnmelke@gmail.com, kathy.motschall@yahoo.com
Cc: mbehrmann@cityofharborsprings.com,
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City Council Meeting Reply – 3.18.24
03/19/2024
Members of City Council;
We would like to offer a correction in the spirit of transparency around a comment delivered tonight (March 18, 2024) at the
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Happy New Year – Consider our Non-Profits & how you can help!
Little Traverse Bay Humane Society has been in operation since 1951 and is a non-profit, no-kill, animal welfare organization that rescues 900+ animals a year.
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year – Celebrate your favorite non-profits
http://weloveharborsprings.org/wp-content/uploads/Non-Profit2.pdf
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