Harbor Springs Planning Commission Meeting 2.18.2021

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs Planning Commission Meeting — February 18, 2021 ATTENDEES: Beth Rahaly, Mary Katherine Hanna, Bill Mulder, Mark Boudet, Andrew Bowman, Al Daika, and George Peet were present for roll call; Emily Dubay and Jack Deegan were reported absent. • The commission approved the minutes from its February 4 meeting. Staff reported receiving no public emails or calls on matters outside the agenda, and no public comments were made through the available virtual channels. • Following a public hearing with no public comment, the commission unanimously recommended that City Council approve Administrative Ordinance 2021-1. The temporary ordinance continues COVID-19-related zoning flexibility used the previous summer, including outdoor seating, certain outdoor displays and curbside-pickup arrangements, and restaurant service in designated public space. • Staff said the ordinance is intended to support businesses and public use of downtown during the summer. Marina Park/harbormaster green space was cited as an example of space used for food and beverage consumption. The ordinance is set to expire November 1, 2021 unless renewed or changed. Staff also relayed that the police chief had reviewed the continuation measure and expressed no concerns. • The commission reviewed possible sign and flag regulations after staff noted that the current zoning code does not permit political signs and has limited flag language. The discussion focused on a possible allowance of up to three political signs, each no larger than three square feet, and one miscellaneous sign no larger than three square feet. • For flags, members discussed a 30-foot flagpole limit, up to two flags per pole, a 15-square-foot maximum per flag, and a setback equal to one-half the flagpole height. The group tentatively agreed to include political organizations in the flag definition, while also discussing concerns about free speech, commercial advertising, enforcement, and unintended effects. • No sign-and-flag ordinance was adopted or set for public hearing. The commission directed staff to revise the proposal and seek legal-form input for a later review. Worth watching: • Whether the revised sign-and-flag draft addresses free-speech concerns while limiting commercial or oversized displays. • Whether the March 4 master plan meeting has sufficient attendance to proceed. • Whether meetings remain remote; staff said remote meetings are authorized through the end of March, with in-person status still unknown. Upcoming: The commission plans a March 4 discussion of the master plan community opinion survey, subject to attendance. Why it matters: The actions support summer business operations while the commission works toward clearer, enforceable rules for signs and flags.

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