June 19, 2025
Dear Harbor Springs,
It’s been 496 days since the February 8, 2024 meeting—when I first heard the Weque wetlands might be disturbed. That moment pulled me into city politics. And let me be clear: my concern was never with the people or the City Hall volunteers—it was with a rush to change zoning that much of the community didn’t fully understand. There was a communication gap.
Getting to this point hasn’t been easy—but we’re here now, and that matters.
Over the past months, we’ve had real debates—not just about zoning, but about how zoning shapes our community. These conversations brought emotion. They tested relationships. But they came from a shared place of care—for our homes, our downtown, our neighbors, and our future.
Let’s be honest: the timing of some decisions wasn’t always right. Some parts of the zoning process moved too fast. But the intent—to protect and guide our community—never wavered and exists today.
For me, and for WLHS, this was never about disruption. It was about making sure changes didn’t happen in silence. We didn’t lose trust—we asked for transparency. The entire town had to be part of this. Property owners and full time residents.
We pushed back against the idea that trust alone, without conversation, is enough for decisions of this scale. That’s not obstruction. That’s participation. When property rights are at stake, silence isn’t an option.
This effort took time, energy, and real resources—all money raised locally. Across our 1.3-square-mile city and townships, a bunch of us stepped up. Not because we had every answer—but because we knew it mattered to get this right.
Tonight, we invite City Hall, City Hall employees, the Councils and Boards, friends and colleagues, our clubs, coffee groups, churches, students, and seniors—everyone—to stay at the table. Let’s make a collective pledge: to ensure both property owners and full-time residents hear that they matter, and, that we care for all of us.
Zoning matters, and we ask fulltime residents, and the property owners who summer and winter in towns across the United States – we ask those of you who treat Harbor Springs as your “real home” to participate in these zoning debates – all opinions matter.
This campaign for me is a pledge about honoring our town’s history of generosity. The full time residents engagement with the property owners – we are one in the same. It’s about an effort, a shared responsibility, and you each saying thank you—to everyone who stays engaged, even when it is hard.
Let’s build a zoning code that reflects all of us. It takes the right people, enough time, and a lot of care.
Thank you.
Karin Reid Offield Harbor Springs resident