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LATEST NEWS
My Two Cents
Dear Planning Commissioners, Housing in Harbor Springs isn’t a political problem—it’s a math problem. Just 1.3 square miles, nestled between a bay and a bluff, with demand sky-high and supply naturally limited. That’s not ideology. That’s geography. Yes, I’ve never...
Honoring Privilege Through Service: A Message for the Harbor Springs Community
In a town as unique as Harbor Springs, where lake breezes carry stories of generations past and where scenic overlooks, trains, plaques, and fountains stand not just as ornaments but as living memorials—privilege takes on a special meaning. It is not merely a matter...
So here’s the first question we need to ask: What is the right-sized home for a medium-sized lot?
May 18, 2025 Who Wants More? At a recent Planning Commission meeting, a public comment described Harbor Springs as a "ghost town" for nine months of the year and questioned the current fear of increased density. The speaker highlighted the historic charm of the...
ZONING
Zoning – Articles 2 and 3
Apr 27, 2025 Welcome to our new website – that we hope will work for YOU. When we research and pull items that we believe will be important to the conversations outcomes, we will post here. For those of you that attended the last months of meetings, you know that...
Zoning: Dexter, Michigan 6 years after leaving the RRC
Discovering the Allure of Small Town Living in Dexter, Michigan Dexter, Michigan, is a prime example of a fast-growing community that seamlessly combines a rich historical tapestry with a welcoming atmosphere, drawing in residents and visitors alike. Situated in close...
ZONING: 1.27.25. The 2005 Harbor Springs Zoning Code,As Amended through 2022 – Article By Article
Welcome to the WLHS 2025 Zoning Page. Harbor Springs is being asked to review the existing code (2005, amended 2022) and the #439 zoning code that was repealed. The reason is that the repealed code had easier, modern formatting and language throughout the code. This...
ZONING Can our town become better? More green?
LEED for Cities and Communities helps local leaders create and operationalize responsible, sustainable and specific plans for natural systems, energy, water, waste, transportation and many other factors that contribute to quality of life—revolutionizing the way cities...
ZONING: Prep for the Future – Let’s start here Shoreline Resiliency
From the June 20th Meet at Planning Commission with the Shoreline Resiliency slide show being presented by Beckett & Raeder Harbor Springs Planner John Iacoangeli https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3PVJzj1_11w Go to 1.28. And PLAY There is not anything more...
Zoning A reminder on how the MEDC/RRC Status can be involved -What to watch for – 6 slides
For zoning, and learning how our zoning is affected by the involvement of the MEDC/RRC. As an update, we now have various zoning parties and leaders suggesting that Harbor Springs does not go further into RRC Essentials or Certification status at this time. Please put...
ZONING: 10.24.24 By-Right Zoning: Good for Consultants and Developers; Bad for Harbor Springs
Everyone loves Harbor, but everyone doesn't love the NO & YES vote. We were successful on getting the new zoning code on the November 5th ballot. That was a win. What is not a friend or a neighbor or a win is the new zoning. Public hearings and community input...
WLHS BLOG
BLOG: 12.5.24 List made for PC Meet – Help to Add your points of view
PC MEETING DCEMBER 5 THURSDAY – PUBLIC COMMENT ZOOM: Since 60% of our residents are second homeowners, we need a new communication strategy. When on ZOOM, the participants tuning in complain of poor audio, not knowing who is speaking from the board/commission table,...
7.24 COI -Educate on the subject of Conflict of Interest
Conflict of interest is defined as an actual or perceived interest by a staff or board member in an action that results in, or has the appearance of resulting in, personal, organizational, or professional gain. A conflict of interest exists even if no unethical or...
BLOG 12.5. 2024 City Council Public Hearing about the Old Code
The City Council held a ''special meeting' on November 7th, to discuss the zoning after the repeal of #439. The City Attorney unequivocally stated that, as a result of the election, the old zoning is in effect until new zoning is approved through the process required...
BLOG: 12.2024 Updated:Boards & Committees
This post is under construction. More details to follow ... Here's a LINK to fill out a Participation form. It is recommended that you bring up your interest at a City Council meeting, in addition to filling out these forms. The next meeting is scheduled on...
11.15.24 Let’s do this a NEW way. Not a Steamroller!
Harbor Springs can and should stand on its own, embrace its 2nd home persona, and define business and growth plans based on THIS uniqueness not a mediocrity of the statewide definition defined by MEDC, the RRC and Lansing. Let's now consider saying no to becoming a...
BLOG: Who are all the people that run the City ? Lists Under Construction
City Planner John Iacoangeli (Beckett & Raeder) – Reviews Planning Commission submissions; advises the PC and staff on planning/zoning issues; and assists in updating the Master Plan and Zoning Code City Engineer Benchmark – Provides civil engineering services for...
BLOG: 8.19.24 “Street Stories” Canvassing in Harbor Springs
"STREET STORIES" CANVASSING & MORE IN A SMALL TOWN. THANK YOU FOR HELPING Building a coalition to get 25% of the voters in Harbor Springs to sign a Referendum on Ordinance #439 to rescind the New Zoning on November 7, 2024 When a group of concerned Harbor...
DDA
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EVENTS
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NATIONAL & LOCAL PRESS
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LETTERS
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SURVEYS
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CORRECTIONS
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RRC – ARCHIVED
9.22.24 Five Reasons to end the MEDC – Research Report #2 of 2
Did Harbor Springs City Manager do the homework before signing up for the MEDC/RRC process? This article is from January 25, 2019. https://www.mackinac.org/five-reasons-to-end-the-michigan-economic-development-corporation The Michigan Economic Development...
5.4.24 Response to RRC Best Practices by City Manager
Recently, City Manager Victor Sinadinoski released a list of the RRC’s 30 “best practices” on the city website. This list covers many basic aspects of good governance. However, the purpose of releasing this list is confusing because it doesn’t necessitate...
10.31.24 Harbor Springs has been engaged with the RRC for years…. are we educated enough to know what’s next?
MEDC/RRC What's in it for Harbor Springs? Helpful learning from our seemingly really remote and quiet neighbors to the North. Towns in the Upper Peninsula like Marquette .... towns smaller like Negaunee also become well-positioned for private investment and improved...
3.18.24 City Council Meeting Reply – RRC
Members of City Council; We would like to offer a correction in the spirit of transparency around a comment delivered tonight (March 18, 2024) at the City Council meeting. Although correct; during the process of the zoning update, the RRC was not specifically...
3.18.24 City Council Meeting – Zoning Approvals Postponed until May 20
Mayor Matt Bugera and City Council members Micheal Behrmann, Jaime Melke, Kathy Motschall and Nancy Rondel vote - unanimously - to postpone the approval of the zoning reform proposal put forward by Planning Commissioner Chair Bill Mulder until May 6 2024.
3.8.24 Planning Commission Meeting -Zoning Questions & Answers
City of Harbor Springs Zoning Code Update Project Questions and Answers March 8, 2024 https://www.cityofharborsprings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/City-of-HS-Zoning-Questions-and-Answers-March-8th-2024-Official.pdf
2.15.24 Planning Commission Meeting-Summary of Changes to Zoning Code
https://www.cityofharborsprings.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Zoning-Code-Update-2024-Summary-of-Key-Topics-V.2.pdf