Your Neighborhood, Your Voice: Help Shape Harbor Springs’ New Zoning Code
We need residents of each zoning district to volunteer to engage on the zoning
Harbor Springs is counting on you
Every street, bluff, and shoreline cottage in our city sits inside a zoning district. As the Planning Commission meets this summer to finish rewriting the zoning code, every district will feel the impact, sometimes in ways only the people who live there will spot. With 1,500 hundred properties, its hard to get this right.
If we want a code that protects Harbor Springs’ character and solves today’s challenges (from short-term rentals to housing choice), we need at least one resident in every district to speak for their neighbors.
That means you.
Three principles guiding the final draft
We Love Harbor Springs believes the zoning changes should adhere to the following order of priorities:
- State-required updates – Accessibility, fire safety, and other mandates we can’t change.
- Current property-owner priorities – Styles that fit, fixes for non-conforming lots, sensible rules for rentals or multi-family homes.
- City-wide priorities – Changes that strengthen the whole community, only when district residents agree.
What district am I in?
We’ve attached a high-resolution zoning map (PDF) so you can zoom in, find your parcel, and see which of the 17 districts—AR, R-1-E, R-1-A, R-1-B, R-1-C, R-2, MHP, RM, C, TR, CBD, B-1, B-2, WF; WF-1, M-1, R-O-S —applies to you. If you’re not sure, hit reply and we’ll help.
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Harbor Springs Current 2005 Zoning Map 1.2MB ∙ PDF file
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How you can make a real difference
Here’s a simple path:**
- Reply “I’m in - RM - .” (2 minutes) – We’ll add you to the district-captain list and educate you on the changes.
- Attend one Planning Commission meeting. (about 2 hours, in person or via Zoom) – Tell commissioners what your* district needs before they vote.
**“I thought zoning was boring until I realized a two-sentence change could allow the building of a new house next door, to be much closer to my lot line.”— Bluff Street Resident
“Someone asked me what my opinion would be if my neighbor were to sell their home and the buyer wanted to tear it down and put in a duplex.” — Third Street Resident
“If the single-family home next door were sold, torn down, and replaced with a duplex, I would feel concerned—not out of resistance to change, but because of what such a shift means for the character and function of our neighborhood.” — Uptown Resident
Ready to raise your hand?
Email weloveharborsprings@gmail.com* with your district in the subject line (for example: “Count me in – RM”*). We’ll send you:
- A briefing on the draft code
- Meeting dates and Zoom links
- A quick outline for effective public comments
Don’t worry if you’ve never spoken at a city meeting. We’ll show you exactly how it works and you’ll be speaking alongside neighbors who love Harbor Springs as much as you do.
Help Needed
If you are willing to help with your district, we are glad to educate you on the details and explain how to engage. Send us and email at weloveharborsprings@gmail.com to participate.
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Spread the word
Forward this newsletter to your block, friends, or family. The more voices each district brings, the better the final zoning code will fit all of Harbor Springs.
See you at the podium!
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