Blog and Letters
Harbor Springs
Choose the category you’re interested in exploring:
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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,
Read More
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
Read More
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,
Read More
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
Read More
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.
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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’
Read More
8.19.24 STREET STORIES CANVASSING & MORE IN A SMALL TOWN
THANK YOU FOR HELPING
Building a coalition to get 25% of the voters in Harbor Springs
to sign a Referendum on Ordinance #439 to rescind the New
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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!
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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;
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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 –
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
“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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More
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
Read More