City Council Meeting - 2021-06-07

Detailed briefing

City Council Meeting — June 7, 2021 ATTENDEES: Roll call listed Matt Buggero, John Leo, Nancy Rondell, Al Daika, and John Cox. • Council approved the consent agenda with a minor correction to the minutes. The agenda included approval for Taste-related activity, according to a later exchange. • Council approved holding the Fourth of July parade. Staff said major state gathering and distancing orders would be lifted July 1, while unvaccinated people would still be recommended to wear masks. Staff also cited low recent local case counts and a high county vaccination rate. The city manager recommended proceeding based on health-department guidance. • The Take Two Condo Association site-plan amendment at 280 East Main Street was approved. The amendment allows an air-conditioning unit between two residential buildings. Discussion centered on possible noise from multiple air-conditioning units and a generator. The Planning Commission had recommended approval, with a privacy fence and neighbor support letters cited in the discussion. The applicant said further sound-abatement measures could be considered after installation and testing if needed. • Council voted to oppose two pending state bills concerning short-term rentals. Staff said the bills could remove municipal authority to license rentals and control where or how many rentals operate, while leaving only nuisance-related regulation. Residents urged stronger local action, raising concerns about noise, smoke, lighting, parking, frequent turnover, and changes to neighborhood character. Other speakers favored addressing harmful behavior while allowing occasional rentals. • Staff said the city already requires short-term-rental licenses, a local agent, exterior contact posting, and an interior one-page notice of relevant rules. There is no cap on rentals, and staff said it has not conducted an audit of required postings. Residents were asked to report suspected licensing or ordinance violations so staff and police can investigate and document them. • Council discussed commercial boat launches at Ford Park, including whether current commercial permit fees fairly reflect use and whether clearer criteria are needed for commercial use of public property. No change was made. The issue will be directed to the Harbor Commission for further consideration. Worth watching: • Whether state short-term-rental legislation advances and reduces Harbor Springs’ local authority. • Whether the city reviews short-term-rental posting compliance, neighbor notification, caps, or other ordinance changes. • Harbor Commission follow-up on Ford Park launch data, fees, and commercial-use policy. Upcoming: A Planning Commission housing-input meeting is scheduled for June 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at City Hall. Why it matters: Council acted on immediate event and development decisions while retaining local control over rentals and fair access to public waterfront facilities as unresolved policy priorities.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.