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. These developments highlight critical issues with the current system, in the current code and demonstrate that suitability for Harbor Springs today requires more controls, not fewer.
While the current PD ordinance has been an effective and balanced tool—used frequently and containing necessary safeguards to ensure transparency, objectivity, and compatibility with community character—the recent Cottage Company developments exposed loopholes that allowed out-of-scale projects to proceed. Instead of widening these subjective loopholes with a more liberal, “DIY” approach that removes minimum acreage requirements, base uses, or architectural consistency, we must shore up the code with additional criteria to protect our community assets.
Our city’s character depends on a careful balance between growth and preservation. The Planning Commission and city leadership must approach changes to the PD ordinance with caution to avoid unintended consequences that could erode what makes Harbor Springs a quintessential destination for tourists, second home owners and year-round residents with an already thriving downtown, 4-season outdoor activities and a well funded school system.
We also ask: Is the problem the Planning Commission itself, or the professionals leading it? While modern planning trends often advocate for affordable housing, accessory dwelling units, and mixed-use development, these ideas are not universally appropriate. Harbor Springs must prioritize its community’s voice—which clearly supports preserving single-family housing and maintaining our character.
We question why we are risking change? Are these changes driven by local need or by outside developers seeking to circumvent established standards? Harbor Springs did not become the community it is by embracing “free choice” zoning or loosening standards—rather, through carefully crafted provisions designed to guide growth responsibly.
It is prudent and responsible to maintain the existing PD ordinance, strengthening it with additional safeguards and criteria rather than weakening it. Not every part of the code needs fixing, and this is not a time for experimentation with our zoning framework.
We urge you to honor community values, use the 2020-2021 survey, the community vote mandate and the repeated community participation in person, on Zoom, and through letters such as this – these results as guidance, and protect Harbor Springs by rejecting the proposed PD changes in favor of measured, thoughtful improvements that uphold our community’s integrity.
Thank you for your consideration.