City of Harbor Springs's DDA Meeting 3/13/24

Detailed briefing

DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY — March 13, 2024 ATTENDEES: Matt McGarra, Jody Eubank, Sarah Eschelbrenner, Nikki Law, Chuck Kremers, Margaret Tweeden, Cora Waitsmith, Jackie Swadling, Gail Brown; guest presenter Bill Mulder. • Planning Commission Chair Bill Mulder outlined a zoning-code rewrite that the Planning Commission had unanimously recommended to City Council. About 80% carries over from the existing code. The proposal consolidates the commercial districts below the bluff into an expanded Central Business District. City Council may approve, amend, reject, or return the proposal. • The zoning proposal would allow accessory dwelling units by right and permit long-term, but not short-term, rentals of those units. It would also allow duplexes and possibly triplexes in most residential neighborhoods if they meet the same size, setback, lot-coverage, and parking standards as single-family homes. The previously discussed accessory commercial unit concept was removed; existing home occupations would remain allowed. • The DDA debated the Merchants Walkway after OHM provided an estimated construction cost of about $166,000. Prior design spending was reported as close to $50,000. The first-phase concept already excludes the fountain, enhanced lighting, and historical signage, while members discussed removing or postponing columns, benches, and some fencing work. • By six affirmative votes, the board approved asking City Council to amend the 2024 DDA budget for the walkway and directing staff to ask OHM to reduce the cost. No final construction amount was approved. Revised estimates, the exact scope, and contractor bids are still needed. Staff said the Department of Public Works is also examining whether it can complete some work at a lower cost. • The Ice Fest financial report showed $23,600 in revenue and $19,841 in expenses received to date. A merchant survey is still planned. The Promotions Committee also favored developing an FAQ, a printed downtown map, and improved online business listings rather than organizing a pre-summer employee walk-around. • Permanent Third Street lighting and repairs to rusting or damaged wayfinding signs were expected by spring. Existing decorative lights will remain until the new Third Street lighting is installed. Worth watching: 1. The revised Merchants Walkway scope, OHM estimate, bids, and any City Council budget amendment. 2. Whether drainage, retaining-wall, and neighboring-property concerns are addressed before construction. 3. City Council's action on the proposed zoning rewrite. Upcoming: Staff said the walkway budget request needed to reach City Council by March 18. Downtown flower planting was tentatively penciled in for May 19, subject to logistics and weather. Why it matters: The board advanced a long-delayed downtown infrastructure project while leaving its final cost and scope open for further review.

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