Harbor Springs Planning Commission 11/19/2020

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs Planning Commission — November 19, 2020 ATTENDEES: The transcript confirms a quorum and identifies Planning Commission members Mary Katherine Hanna, Bill Mulder, Mark Bidet, Andrew Bowman, Al Daika and Emily Dubé as participating. Beth Rahaly and George Peet were reported absent. • The commission approved the October 15 meeting minutes. During that discussion, a member asked that the status of an allegedly abandoned alley connected to a prior Bob Michaels matter be cleaned up officially. Staff said it would verify whether the area was an actual platted alley or property never deeded to anyone and could take the issue to Council if appropriate. • Following a public hearing with no reported public comments or correspondence, the commission approved Ordinance 427 on fence and wall restrictions. The change addresses fence height inside setback/buildable areas. Members clarified that if a fence exceeds four feet, at least 50% of the additional height must be open and unobstructed, with a five-foot maximum in that situation. Staff also said apparent “corner” typos would be corrected. • The commission also approved Ordinance 426 after a public hearing with no reported comments. The ordinance makes permanent the temporary COVID-era downtown allowances for sandwich-board signs and outdoor displays of goods. Staff said the uses had been effective for businesses and had not generated reported complaints, provided they maintain six feet of continuous, unobstructed sidewalk width. • The commission recommended City Council approve the six-year Capital Improvements Plan. Members stressed that the CIP is a planning and budgeting tool updated annually, rather than a fixed commitment. Discussion highlighted concern about the boardwalk’s condition and slipperiness; members asked that replacement be pursued as soon as practical or possibly in phases. They also asked Council to consider another look at the Judd Street Hill retaining wall. • No ordinance action was taken on political signs or flags. The commission asked staff and planning counsel to research what can legally be regulated and return with options. Members discussed possible rules for sign size, placement and duration, including garage-sale and open-house signs. On flags, several members questioned whether the code should regulate flag content; staff will examine potential updates, including distinctions between commercial and residential settings. • Bill Mulder and Emily Dubé were sworn in as Planning Commission members. The chair also thanked Lee Kramer for his years of service on the commission. Worth watching: • Staff research on lawful regulations for political, garage-sale, open-house and other temporary signs. • Proposed updates to the city’s flag regulations and whether current content-based restrictions should remain. • Council’s response to the CIP recommendation, particularly boardwalk timing, possible phased work, and the Judd Street Hill wall. Upcoming: Staff and planning counsel were asked to return with more information on signs and flags at a future meeting; the chair referenced December as the expected next discussion point for political signs. Why it matters: The meeting advanced downtown business rules, residential fence standards, and long-range city investment planning while leaving sign and flag regulations open for legal and policy review.

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