Planning Commission Special Meeting Meeting

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs Planning Commission Special Meeting — Jan. 5, 2023 - The Planning Commission held a special work session on the zoning code, concentrating on the regulated-uses table. Members said the overall aim is to simplify outdated language, make regulations more consistent, support appropriate business activity, and still protect the community. - The group identified several residential-use changes for follow-up. It supported marking guest quarters in R-2 as potentially allowed through special land use, depending on existing dwelling units. It also supported adding home occupations in RM and manufactured-home-park districts, subject to a clearer definition that can distinguish low-impact work from businesses with frequent client traffic. - Members agreed manufactured homes themselves should be removed as a listed “use,” because they are a construction type rather than a land use. Manufactured-home parks would remain a use. They also agreed to delete “charitable institutions” as a use category after discussion that charitable status can describe an ownership or tax structure rather than an actual land use. - The commission discussed private clubs, lodges and fraternal organizations. It asked staff to identify zoning districts where such organizations already operate, broaden the terminology toward membership organizations, and consider expanding where they may be allowed through special land use. Members also supported allowing religious institutions in RM by special land use for consistency with R-1. - Food and beverage rules drew extended discussion. Commissioners questioned why cafés, bakeries, restaurants, drinking establishments, microbreweries, wine tasting and distilleries are divided into many categories and often require special land use. The planning consultant and city staff were asked to develop simpler, more generalized recommendations and to check state Liquor Control Commission definitions. - Waterfront issues remain a major follow-through item. A community member said marina-related activity, municipal buildings and parking, retail activity, and outdoor boat sales/display already exist on the waterfront and should be accurately addressed in the code. Staff said outdoor sales and display had been added through a recent ordinance and would be located in the draft. The commission also noted that removing existing uses could make properties nonconforming and restrict future additions. Worth watching: - Whether revised waterfront and marina language protects existing operations while setting clear limits for future development. - How broadly the commission permits eating, drinking, brewing and distilling uses in business and waterfront districts. - The forthcoming definitions for home occupations and other uses, which will determine practical impacts beyond the table itself. Upcoming: The regular meeting is Jan. 19 at 5:30 p.m., with expected public interest in short-term rentals. A zoning-trends seminar is planned for Jan. 28, and commissioners discussed a proposed Feb. 2 special zoning meeting. Why it matters: The code rewrite could affect where residents can work from home, how businesses open or expand, and which existing waterfront and commercial uses remain conforming.

Agenda items

• 5A · Zoning Code Review - Article 2 and 3discussed
• 5A · Zoning Code Review - Article 2 and 3discussed

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

Related issues

• Zoning / Land Usediscussed