Planning Commission Regular Meeting

Detailed briefing

PLANNING COMMISSION — AUGUST 15, 2024 ATTENDEES: Nine commissioners were present. City staff, the police chief, and members of the public also participated in person or online. • The commission approved the minutes from its previous meeting. During general public comment, a resident asked what would happen if the new zoning code were repealed. Staff said the answer remains uncertain; the city manager and city attorney are researching it, and staff expects to prepare a memo for the commission’s September meeting. • The commission held its annual public hearing on short-term rentals. Staff reported 101 licensed short-term rentals citywide and 13 applicants on the residential waiting list. Zoning changes brought nine licenses from the former R2 district into areas now covered by residential zoning, creating a question about whether those licenses should affect the existing 63-license limit. • Public opinion was divided. Some residents urged the city to reduce the number of short-term rentals, citing neighborhood density, loss of familiar neighbors, and housing concerns. Others defended rentals as a legitimate property use that brings visitors and spending to Harbor Springs. One speaker proposed increasing the number of licenses. • The police chief reported two short-term-rental complaints during the year: one involving vehicles parked in front of a residence and one involving a loud party. He said police had responded to more complaints involving year-round residents, while noting that the permanent population is larger. • After discussion, the commission reached consensus not to change the short-term-rental ordinance. The existing limit of 63 licenses will remain. The nine licenses tied to the former R2 district will continue separately and decline through attrition if their holders give them up. Because this is already the current administrative approach, the commission did not make a formal motion. • The commission also reviewed possible rules for signs and decals displayed in business windows. Staff showed examples of 25%, 50%, and 75% window coverage. The Downtown Development Authority favored 25% but raised concerns about real estate listing sheets. Staff said court rulings make it difficult to create different sign rules based on a business’s message or content. No action was taken. Worth watching: • The September explanation of what a zoning-code repeal would legally and administratively mean. • Whether the signage subcommittee recommends a window-coverage limit and how it addresses real estate displays. • How the city administers residential license attrition and the 13-person waiting list. Upcoming: Staff expects to return to the Planning Commission in September with clarification about the possible zoning-code repeal; the signage subcommittee will continue its work. Why it matters: The decisions affect neighborhood stability, property use, visitor lodging, local businesses, and how clearly the city applies its zoning and sign rules.

Agenda items

• 2 · Approval of Minutesdiscussed
• 5A · Public Hearing — Short-Term Rentalsdiscussed
• 5B · Discussion — Short-Term Rentalsdiscussed
• 5C · Discussion — Window Signagediscussed

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

Related issues

• Short-Term Rentalsdiscussed
• Zoning / Land Usediscussed