Zoning & Planning
Reporting
History of ARC - under construction
HISTORY -Institutional memory matters. Many current discussions have long histories. Policies and decisions now being revisited were once debated publicly, approved through established processes, and supported by prior governing bodies. Moving forward benefits from acknowledging that shared history.
February 7, 2026
The ARC educations...more to follow
Further Research: Memo presented to City Council on January 5th from Beckett & Raeder about the ARC. BR.PA-City Council-Administrative Review Letter of further explanation of ARC after the final language of the zoning code was adopted – written for City Council by Lynee Wells for the 2.2.26 CC Meeti
February 7, 2026
3 Real time Examples for PD's, Height and Administrative Review Committee (ARC)
Dear Readers, We know there are a lot of details to sort out - and through - but to get it right, thats what needs to be paid attention to. Opening Thought: Clear zoning language is not about stopping development. It is about making sure that what gets built—once permits are closed—still feels like
January 30, 2026
Parking, and how a meeting in March didn't reach the Realtors - yet
Let's have the conversation again. What are your thoughts ? Responsibility To ensure correct decision-making, adherence to State Law and the City Charter, and to avoid placing the City and its inhabitants and taxpayers at risk. While we are going to discuss parking for consensus, we’d like to add th
January 22, 2026
A 5 Day Deadline -What happens when big box stores come to Emmet County? What happens to our local businesses?
The public comment period ends January 27, 2026. Anyone wishing to voice concerns may do so through EGLE’s website link: https://mienviro.michigan.gov/ncore/external/publicnotice/search. Enter HQF-AXAK-T2VJC in the reference number search box, click ADD COMMENT LTR ALT ANALYSIS 24-1890 (2) 1.22.26 "
January 22, 2026
A New Way to Participate in the Planning Commission Meetings -With Suggestions
This is a speech Karin Offield prepared for the January 15th meeting - the version that was actually presented was very short. We received the speech in entirety and want to shout out to Barry Lusgarten for bringing this subject up and the Planning Commissioners further discussion. Here's the presen
January 21, 2026
1.5.25 Proposed Zoning Code Overview - by Harbor Springs City Planner John Iacoangeli
Taken from the Transcript of January 5, 2026 - The Summary of the Zoning Code presented to the City Council Members - on the night they approved the New Code. By Beckett & Raeder's John Iacoangeli "The proposed zoning code is structured into 15 articles, beginning with intent and purpose and ending
January 15, 2026
The Zoning is approved!
January 8, 2026 A Wrap-Up on the Zoning Vote At the January 5, 2026 City Council meeting, the motion to approve the proposed zoning code dated October 21, 2025 was approved with several conditions by a 3–2 vote. We believed that a brief delay of several weeks, allowing a few remaining details to be
January 8, 2026
November 20, 2025 Editorial on Zoning
Zoning Update The following is a Zoning Update from Karin Offield who has participated in nearly every planning commission meeting since February of 2024, ever since concerns on the zoning emerged. Nov 20, 2025 My joy comes from knowing that, instead of reverting to the entirety of the repealed #439
January 8, 2026
The final Planning Commission Meeting of 2025 - a win for the zoning , but not yet quite done
Dear Readers - Hope this is helpful to all who asked...."How did the Meeting go?" December 18, 2025 We took a few pieces of the transcript about the Admin Review Committee to help us clarity our position on the Administrative Review Discussion for the January 5 City Council Public Hearing. A deep di
December 29, 2025
Dear Planning Commissioners,
Why should the City Council send the proposed zoning back to you? It is far easier to fix these issues now than to live with their consequences later. We hope you'll consider taking the proposed zoning code back into 2026 meetings, and finish what is almost ready to go.... Thank you to everyone invo
December 29, 2025
Planned Development - Definitions of Subjective and Objective terms - Helping us understand the PD language.
Planned Development - Strong enough for Harbor Springs? In a meeting in early May 2025, when the Planning Commissioners discussed standards and property rights, Mark Rondel spoke regarding a variance request for a garage, noting that while the proposal met technical criteria, neighbor objections inf
December 26, 2025
What is Ordinance 50 ? Why does it Matter? Short Terms Rentals Recently Discussed ?
Please read carefully. This is in the January 5 2026 City Council Packet - A report on Short Term Rentals comes next ... #image_title #image_title
December 24, 2025
What Does Beckett & Raeder say about the current Zoning Code Issues? Do they work for Harbor Springs?
To READ the eight page Beckett & Raeder reply, please click on this link... BRi Review of Lynee Wells issue with Proposed Zoning Code If City Zoning staff, the City Planner, outside review resources, Planning Commissioners, and community members all acknowledge that the draft code contains incomplet
December 24, 2025
Aligned Planning's Lynee Wells Letter to the City Council 12.12.25
DOWNLOAD OR PRINT Ordinance Review Final Edits Summary 12.12.25 #image_title
December 16, 2025
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 enforceable standards that shape develo
December 13, 2025
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 conclusions presented here are always open to
December 13, 2025
Harbor Lights' Report on November 20th, Planning Commission Meeting.
After the holidays, we will provide context. If you have questions, contact us. Thank you. Planning Commission stands behind zoning code recommendation as sent to City Council HARBOR SPRINGS By Harbor Light News Staff on November 26, 2025 By Kate Spaulding Harbor Light Newspaper Contributing Editor
November 26, 2025
Not Overlooking Community Input and Visualizing Future Consequences
A kind of Lecture: https://www.cityofharborsprings.com/2021-master-plan-updates/ In the complex web of urban planning, the creation of a master plan and the zoning code that follows are not merely technical exercises. They are the backbone of a city’s future — decisions that will shape its growth, i
November 20, 2025
Update: Karin Offield on the Proposed Zoning Code - 11.17.25 PC Meet and the Suggested Changes by City Planner Lynee Wells, Aligned Planning
Zoning Update - Rust to Judgement Nov 20, 2025 “My joy comes from knowing that, instead of reverting to the entirety of the repealed #439 Zoning Code, since last years election, the Planning Commission genuinely listened. They took to heart the community comments voiced at the winter Town Halls, and
November 16, 2025