Harbor Springs Planning Commission - April 16, 2026

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs Planning Commission Meeting - April 16, 2026 ATTENDEES: Planning Commission members including Barry Lustgarten, Vanessa Warren, Garen Gappigan, Bob Buckner, Chip Everest, Kenny Stewart, and others. • Minutes approved with an addition to consider increased park maintenance costs due to new developments. • DDA provided an update on the streetscape planning project, encouraging community input via meetings and sticky note boards. • Residential story height measurement was discussed; consensus to clarify measurement from average property line grade and correct related diagrams. • Extensive discussion on the RFP process for planning consultants led to a recommendation that City Council direct the new city manager to develop a formal process with input from commissions, including timing and dollar thresholds for reviews. • Two public open houses on signage ordinance updates scheduled for April 28 at 9:00 AM and April 29 at 3:00 PM to gather feedback from businesses and residents. Worth watching: - Implementation of clarified residential height measurement standards. - Development of a formal RFP and consultant review process by the new city manager. - Outcomes of the upcoming signage ordinance public input sessions. Upcoming: Next meeting to include continued discussion on 417 East Main special land use and review of minor code amendments. Why it matters: These actions ensure transparent planning processes, community involvement, and clear development standards in Harbor Springs.

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