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LATEST NEWS
Aligned Planning’s Lynee Wells Letter to the City Council 12.12.25
DOWNLOAD OR PRINT Ordinance Review Final Edits Summary 12.12.25
When can a Zoning Code Put Harbor Springs at Risk – Understandings by Examples or Comparisons
By Karin Reid Offield and team, The proposed zoning code is close to completion, and that progress should be acknowledged. However, zoning is permanent law. When adopted before key weaknesses are resolved, those weaknesses do not remain theoretical—they become...
FOR MORE CLARITY ….Discussions about the zoning 12.13.25. From 2020-2025 Research on ARC & PD’s
Disclosure & Commitment to Open Dialogue We Love Harbor Springs is committed to fairness, transparency, and careful research. The information shared on this site is offered in good faith to support informed public discussion. Facts, interpretations, and...
Harbor Springs Doesn’t Need More Marketing — It Needs Priorities
Harbor Springs Doesn’t Need More Marketing — It Needs Priorities This post asks what are your thoughts? If our downtown business owners and community leaders want stable streets, stable property values, reliable workers, and real community — they can turn toward the...
Executive Search for Harbor Springs City Manager
Request for Proposals: Executive Search Firm for City Manager Recruitment Posted on November 18th, 2025REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS EXECUTIVE SEARCH CONSULTANT/FIRM CITY MANAGER RECRUITMENT November 18, 2025 Introduction The City of Harbor Springs, situated on Little...
Understanding How Harbor Springs Governs Itself
Understanding How Harbor Springs Governs Itself In the coming weeks, the Harbor Springs City Council will make several significant decisions: voting on the annual budget, considering a zoning code update that may guide development for decades, and confirming...
Thank you for reading our latest News posts. We’re glad you’re here!
ZONING
A Letter about We Love Harbor Springs & the proposed zoning
From Karin Offield To the Community,In case some of you aren’t familiar with us, I wanted to share why I personally became involved and why WLHS formed in the first place: to help Preserve and Protect our community. Thank you for taking the time to hear my story—from...
General Themes from the Open Houses September 2024
We have built a strong list of about questions provided by the community that still need discussion and answers so the community will be able to understand the deeper consequences of certain zoning changes the Planning Commission's have made. Here are some of the...
Key Takeaways Across All Planning Commission Open Houses September 2025
• Density denial vs. perception: Residents consistently reject the PC’s claim of “not increasing density.” ADUs, PDs, and cluster housing are seen as density boosters regardless of PC framing. • Trust deficit: Most comments circle back to distrust of the PC — process...
Why we should be extra careful of Planned Developments in Harbor Springs
We write to the community to express our deep concern regarding the proposed changes to the Planned Development (PD) provisions within the zoning ordinance, especially in light of recent developments such as Cottage Company’s projects on Zoll Street and Main Street....
REGULATED USES TABLE – proposed draft
Proposed Draft – Article 7
Article 7 is much of the guts of the proposed draft code. Read so you understand further of what can happen where and why? Ask that question! Here is the LINK: Article 7 - DRAFT Code Here is a image of the Article 7 INDEX -
Proposed Zoning Code Public Meetings and Public Hearing "The Planning Commission has wrapped up their review of the zoning code and will be holding a public meeting on Thursday, September 18, 2025 @ 5:30 PM at City Hall to receive public comment on the proposed zoning...
WLHS BLOG
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...
Updated: Who Has the Right to Influence Our Community?
Subject: Who Has the Right to Influence Our Community? One concern centers around who should have the right to vote on issues that affect the property they own or the city they consider home—even if only part of the year. Let’s take a closer look at the reality in our...
5.15.25 Robert Hall, Planning Commission Meeting
Dear WLHS, Can you post this for others to read? Thank you. RH We are at a critical moment in the history — and future — of our town. Over the last five years, dedicated Planning Commission committees made up of community volunteers have worked hard to make...
City Council spot is open – Are you a Volunteer?
City Council Member Michael Behrmann’s Home Hits the Market – A New Chapter Begins! City Council Member Michael Behrmann, a dedicated and passionate voice for our community, has officially listed his home for sale—and with it, he’ll soon be closing this chapter and...
UPDATED 5.28.25: The Garden Club, Flag Pole, Lower Zorn Park includes Newspaper & Letters
Added: Petoskey News Report . We respectfully urge you to vote to preserve Harbor Springs’ precious green space, reject this proposal, and return it to the Garden Club with instructions to identify a more appropriate and welcomed location. This is an opportunity to reaffirm the city’s century-long tradition of preservation, protection, and responsible stewardship.
WAS DECISION TO EXIT RRC A MISPERCEPTION? WE THINK NOT.
From the 2/22/25 WLHS Newsletter Let’s set the record straight “I just want to add that if we allow misperceptions to guide what we do, then I don’t know it will bode well in the long run for other things we do in the city.” Victor Sinadinoski, Harbor Springs City...
BLOG: 2.4.25 Asking the Harbor Springs City Council to decouple the RRC by Karin Offield
Please include in the Planning Commission packet if possible, Thank you! February 3rd, 2025 Harbor Springs City Council Meeting Submitted for the public record as a request for a new business agenda item Honorable Mayor Graham Councilperson Behrmann Councilperson...
DDA
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EVENTS
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HISTORY
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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
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