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The City Council chose to step away from the Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC) certification and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) program.  This is not a step back; it’s the opportunity to move forward on our own terms. 

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We Love Harbor Springs
2 days ago
We Love Harbor Springs

URGENT: Protect Your Harbor Springs Property Rights
Attend the Critical Zoning Meeting – Thursday, May 15, 5:30 PM at City Hall
MAY 13


Brief

Attend the Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, May 15, at 5:30 p.m., In person or via Zoom or YouTube
The Planning Commission is reviewing Article 2 - Zoning Districts
Agenda Details

Details

As property owners in Harbor Springs, our community and your property rights are at a pivotal crossroads. The Planning Commission is holding a critical meeting on Thursday May 15th to discuss a proposal for significant zoning district changes.

Why is this Important?

The draft of the new Zoning proposes to reduce the number of zoning districts. While presented as simplifying regulations, merging districts could actually complicate zoning by creating dual systems, grandfathered existing zoning and new rules for future construction.

These zoning changes may open your neighborhood to duplexes, triplexes, commercial developments, or even eliminate agricultural zoning protections, significantly altering the character of Harbor Springs and impacting property values.

Michigan law clearly protects property owners' rights to influence zoning decisions. Despite some voices advocating otherwise, every property owner, full-time or seasonal, has an equal property right and responsibility to weigh in.

It is your right to decide how the City can or cannot leverage your property for City growth.

No Reason to Change:

During recent winter listening sessions, no clear reason or public demand emerged for reducing zoning districts. Changing zoning without a well-articulated purpose violates the sensible principle of Chesterton's Fence: do not change rules unless you understand why they were established.

Your Action Needed:

Attend the Planning Commission Meeting: Thursday May 15, at 5:30 PM. Your presence is essential. Ask your questions. Let decision-makers see your concern firsthand.

Be Prepared: Review your current zoning district and come ready to express your concerns clearly and respectfully.
Contact for Your District Information:
Jeff Grimm
231-526-2104
assessor@cityofharborsprings.com

Our beautiful city’s character and your property's future depend on your involvement. Show up, ask questions, and make sure your voice is heard.

Preserve & Protect Harbor Springs.

Know your zoning district. (Zoning Map Detail)

The Current Harbor Springs Districts

Agricultural-Residential (AR)
Preserves open space, limits development, and supports Harbor Springs’ agricultural legacy. The area west of town currently zoned for agriculture should remain that way. In the region between Arbor and Ottawa, where several zoning districts coexist, future decisions with the Planning Commissioners should involve the property owners themselves. The regulations of this district are designed to conserve, stabilize, enhance, and develop farming and related activities: to minimize conflicting uses of parcels, lots, buildings and structures detrimental to or incompatible with these activities.

Single-Family - Three distinct Districts (R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C)
These districts protect the city’s traditional neighborhoods and reinforce its family-oriented, residential character. New construction respects the established pattern of single-family neighborhoods and is consistent with existing residential uses. Streets like Main, Bay, Zoll, Judd, Bluff, Second, Third, Fourth and Glen Drive should remain single-family zones. The city should prioritize single-family homes over high-density developments to protect the town’s appeal for residents and visitors alike.

Single Family Residential Estates (R-1-E)
Designed for larger homes that support both seasonal and permanent residents. Essential for maintaining Harbor Springs’ resort-style identity.

Two-Family Residential (R-2)
Provides housing diversity and flexibility while preserving neighborhood integrity. This would be a district that allows single family and duplexes. The regulations of this district are designed to permit a higher density of population and land use.

Mobile/Manufactured Home Park (MHP)
Supports affordability by offering non-traditional housing options. Clear guidance on this location and design standards is needed to be updated.

Multiple Residential (RM)
Encourages multi-family housing options in walkable areas near downtown, helping meet the needs of younger residents, retirees, and seasonal workers. This would be a district for apartment buildings, multiple family dwellings, townhouse buildings for rentals, higher density and land use intensity.

Community (C)
Designated for public and civic uses, including schools, government buildings, and parks.

Residential, Office, Service (R/O/S)
Allows for low-impact commercial services within residential neighborhoods, maintaining convenience of persons residing in the City by providing office, limited retail and business service without disrupting character.

Transitional Residential (TR)
Serves as a buffer and transition between residential and commercial zones, permitting limited non-residential uses like clubs, institutions of a philanthropic nature, lodges and commercial uses.

Central Business District (CBD)
Supports a vibrant, walkable downtown by encouraging retail, dining, and entertainment while preserving scale and charm. Also prohibiting automotive - oriented uses services that tend to break up such continuity.

Convenience Business District (B-1)
Allows for neighborhood-scale and tourist businesses that meet day-to-day needs.

General Business District (B-2)
Permits larger commercial and office developments intended to serve both the city and surrounding township areas. It encourages broader business activity while remaining compatible with nearby uses.

Waterfront District (W-F)
Preserves public access to Lake Michigan and supports limited, carefully managed development. This District is intended to limit the waterfront from over development, while allowing limited public, private and commercial uses which add to public enjoyment of the waterfront and public access to the water. This district is critical to Harbor Springs’ identity and tourism economy.

Waterfront Resort District ( WF-1) Because the waterfront of the City is a very limited community resource, this District is intended to allow only certain recreational , resort, public uses and business uses.

Manufacturing Industrial (M-I)
Supports industrial, warehousing, and commercial operations essential to Harbor Springs economic base while keeping such uses appropriately distanced from residential areas. ... See MoreSee Less

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URGENT: Protect Your Harbor Springs Property Rights Attend the Critical Zoning Meeting – Thursday, May 15, 5:30 PM at City Hall MAY 13 Brief Attend the Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, May 15, at 5:30 p.m., In person or via Zoom or YouTube The Planning Commission is reviewing Article 2 - Zoning Districts Agenda Details Details As property owners in Harbor Springs, our community and your property rights are at a pivotal crossroads. The Planning Commission is holding a critical meeting on Thursday May 15th to discuss a proposal for significant zoning district changes. Why is this Important? The draft of the new Zoning proposes to reduce the number of zoning districts. While presented as simplifying regulations, merging districts could actually complicate zoning by creating dual systems, grandfathered existing zoning and new rules for future construction. These zoning changes may open your neighborhood to duplexes, triplexes, commercial developments, or even eliminate agricultural zoning protections, significantly altering the character of Harbor Springs and impacting property values. Michigan law clearly protects property owners rights to influence zoning decisions. Despite some voices advocating otherwise, every property owner, full-time or seasonal, has an equal property right and responsibility to weigh in. It is your right to decide how the City can or cannot leverage your property for City growth. No Reason to Change: During recent winter listening sessions, no clear reason or public demand emerged for reducing zoning districts. Changing zoning without a well-articulated purpose violates the sensible principle of Chestertons Fence: do not change rules unless you understand why they were established. Your Action Needed: Attend the Planning Commission Meeting: Thursday May 15, at 5:30 PM. Your presence is essential. Ask your questions. Let decision-makers see your concern firsthand. Be Prepared: Review your current zoning district and come ready to express your concerns clearly and respectfully. Contact for Your District Information: Jeff Grimm 231-526-2104 assessor@cityofharborsprings.com Our beautiful city’s character and your propertys future depend on your involvement. Show up, ask questions, and make sure your voice is heard. Preserve & Protect Harbor Springs. Know your zoning district. (Zoning Map Detail) The Current Harbor Springs Districts Agricultural-Residential (AR) Preserves open space, limits development, and supports Harbor Springs’ agricultural legacy. The area west of town currently zoned for agriculture should remain that way. In the region between Arbor and Ottawa, where several zoning districts coexist, future decisions with the Planning Commissioners should involve the property owners themselves. The regulations of this district are designed to conserve, stabilize, enhance, and develop farming and related activities: to minimize conflicting uses of parcels, lots, buildings and structures detrimental to or incompatible with these activities. Single-Family - Three distinct Districts (R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C) These districts protect the city’s traditional neighborhoods and reinforce its family-oriented, residential character. New construction respects the established pattern of single-family neighborhoods and is consistent with existing residential uses. Streets like Main, Bay, Zoll, Judd, Bluff, Second, Third, Fourth and Glen Drive should remain single-family zones. The city should prioritize single-family homes over high-density developments to protect the town’s appeal for residents and visitors alike. Single Family Residential Estates (R-1-E) Designed for larger homes that support both seasonal and permanent residents. Essential for maintaining Harbor Springs’ resort-style identity. Two-Family Residential (R-2) Provides housing diversity and flexibility while preserving neighborhood integrity. This would be a district that allows single family and duplexes. The regulations of this district are designed to permit a higher density of population and land use. Mobile/Manufactured Home Park (MHP) Supports affordability by offering non-traditional housing options. Clear guidance on this location and design standards is needed to be updated. Multiple Residential (RM) Encourages multi-family housing options in walkable areas near downtown, helping meet the needs of younger residents, retirees, and seasonal workers. This would be a district for apartment buildings, multiple family dwellings, townhouse buildings for rentals, higher density and land use intensity. Community (C) Designated for public and civic uses, including schools, government buildings, and parks. Residential, Office, Service (R/O/S) Allows for low-impact commercial services within residential neighborhoods, maintaining convenience of persons residing in the City by providing office, limited retail and business service without disrupting character. Transitional Residential (TR) Serves as a buffer and transition between residential and commercial zones, permitting limited non-residential uses like clubs, institutions of a philanthropic nature, lodges and commercial uses. Central Business District (CBD) Supports a vibrant, walkable downtown by encouraging retail, dining, and entertainment while preserving scale and charm. Also prohibiting automotive - oriented uses services that tend to break up such continuity. Convenience Business District (B-1) Allows for neighborhood-scale and tourist businesses that meet day-to-day needs. General Business District (B-2) Permits larger commercial and office developments intended to serve both the city and surrounding township areas. It encourages broader business activity while remaining compatible with nearby uses. Waterfront District (W-F) Preserves public access to Lake Michigan and supports limited, carefully managed development. This District is intended to limit the waterfront from over development, while allowing limited public, private and commercial uses which add to public enjoyment of the waterfront and public access to the water. This district is critical to Harbor Springs’ identity and tourism economy. Waterfront Resort District ( WF-1) Because the waterfront of the City is a very limited community resource, this District is intended to allow only certain recreational , resort, public uses and business uses. Manufacturing Industrial (M-I) Supports industrial, warehousing, and commercial operations essential to Harbor Springs economic base while keeping such uses appropriately distanced from residential areas.
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