Jan. 9 Planning Commission Meeting Notes
Last night it was freezing. And yet, the feeling inside City Hall was warm and inviting. The Planning Commission gaveled to order and welcomed three new members: Cip Everest, Kenny Stewart and Bob Buckner.
Public comment kicked off with a question about why we even need to revise the code. The resident asked the Planning Commission to explain to the public as part of the process what the goal of any change were and what issues needed addressing. He also ask that the Commission tell the public what was driving the changes. "Why now," he asked. All good questions. The commission committed to providing clear answers as part of the community engagement listening sessions in the coming months.
Next up, were officer elections. Bill Mulder, the current chair was nominated to continue as chair. Chip suggested that new leadership might help the process. No one else stepped forward to volunteer as chair and so on a vote of 8-1, Bill was re-elected chair.
Vanessa Warren was nominated to serve as Vice Chair, and despite some understandable reluctance, she agreed to serve and was elected on a vote of 9-1.
We all owe a great deal to all the members of the Commission, but especially to Bill and Vanessa who have volunteered to take on a good deal of work.
Following a round of congratulations and thanks the Commission approved their regular meeting schedule for the year. Meetings will be held at City Hall at 5:30 on the third Thursday of the month. Those dates are: January 23 (this is an odd one because of last night's meeting), February 20, March 20, April 17, May 15, June 19, July 17, August 21, September 18, October 16, November 20, December 18 and January 15, 2026.
There was then a conversation about the Commission's By-Laws. Generally, members should not conduct business outside of formal meetings. Bill added that subcommittees would not be used any longer. The Commission stressed that all work conducted on behalf of the residents of Harbor Springs should be conducted in public and properly noticed.
Next up, the Commission reviewed the work plan for revising the zoning code. An engagement plan with 15 meetings spanning nearly all the residential and business zones was discussed. It was decided to move the first proposed meeting from Monday to next Thursday. Members of the Commission will organize and spread themselves out across the meetings but no more than 4 should be at each to avoid a quorum.
With a few more public comments about timing and schedules, the meat of the meeting concluded.
Lastly, we along with the folks at We Love Harbor Springs were asked to help encourage people to sign up for the city email list to stay informed. I posted about that last night as soon as I got back from the meeting and will keep encouraging you to sign up. Go to https://www.cityofharborsprings.com/government/meetings-at-city-hall/#cc-meetings-form-container to get added to the list!
At 6:37 the meeting adjourned.