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 the beginning to today.
I began this work on February 8, 2024, when I learned that the Weque Wetlands were being disturbed. I have been involved in environmental and community advocacy for many years, and stepping in felt like a natural extension of that work. For the work I do, it doesn’t matter where I am. What township or city. I can read, research, and write, and I try to use those skills to help communicate issues that deserve attention.
As WLHS grew, and other people got involved, we hired a Public Relations firm to help with mailers, videos, and graphics—things beyond our skill set. Their role was simply to help us communicate effectively. The creative choices they made were tools, not statements; the goal was awareness.
As more people raised concerns about the #439 Zoning Code, residents felt it didn’t reflect the values and protections our community expected. We heard these concerns repeatedly—in phone calls, surveys, emails, and conversations across town.
When it became clear that the Zoning Code #439 was moving forward at City Council, residents asked whether it could be reconsidered. Since Michigan is a ballot initiative state, the option to get it repealed by the voters was to place it on the ballot. That required legal guidance, citizen protest petitions, and a door-to-door referendum. Volunteers took on that work, and thanks to them, enough signatures were collected to place the question before voters.
Ultimately, the City Council voted 4-1 to place the question on the ballot, allowing the community to decide. It was an important moment of civic engagement, and the final decision rested where it should—with the voters.
After the November 2024 election, we continued working with a new Public Relations firm to communicate . Step by step, the focus shifted to information, transparency, and collaboration.
This work has been challenging, and we are grateful to the many supporters and community members who helped cover the significant costs. WLHS is entirely volunteer-driven. None of the writers, researchers, or speakers are paid. A small group of residents stepped forward with their time and skills simply because they care.
Even when conversations become difficult, and our aim has always been to work toward better understanding and better outcomes for Harbor Springs.
WLHS is a registered 501(c)(4). Our Form 990 filing deadline is mid-November due to an extension; until that filing is submitted, there are no additional public documents to provide. Everything will be publicly available per IRS guidelines. We are following normal procedures used by nonprofits across the country. Transparency matters to us, and we will continue to meet those expectations.
We deeply appreciate the all of our donors and supporters who support this work. These are neighbors who love Harbor Springs and want to contribute to its future. Supporting a public cause is an act of pride in community, and we are grateful for their trust.
WLHS will continue to focus on protecting what makes our town special— and keeping it whole.
UPDATE
The differences between Zoning Code #439 that was repealed and the October 2025 proposed draft code are significant. The Planning Commission listened carefully at the Town Halls & Open Houses, considered the full range of community input, and produced a revised draft that represents a meaningful step forward for Harbor Springs. It strengthens protections, reflects community character, and addresses many resident concerns. It is not perfect—no zoning code ever is—but it is much more aligned with the community’s expectations. There are a few updates that are being recommended to City Council by Lynee Wells, our hired city planner who is working on matters like Administration Review Committee, Heights of CBD buildings and Planned Development.
We hope the remaining gaps and unintended consequences can be identified and worked through during the City Council review. The Commissioners have put in tremendous effort, and we are grateful for their work.
We encourage residents to share their thoughts with the Planning Commission, with City Assessor Jeff Grimm and the City Council. This is the moment to look carefully, think long-term, and make sure the new code truly serves Harbor Springs.
As you review the draft, here are guiding principles that help frame the work ahead:
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Plan for possible unintended outcomes—and take the time to address them now.
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Consider worst-case scenarios so the code is strong in any circumstance.
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Build for resilience, not just for the present.
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Use the coming months to refine, test, and reinforce the code before adoption.
If we approach this work thoughtfully, we will get it right.
Thank you for listening,
Karin