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CITIZEN'S COMMENTS 2.18.25 ON THE RRC
Update: 2.18.25 It is important that the trajectory of the RRC/MEDC involvement be understood. At last nights meeting, the RRC was abandoned to strong push back from audience citizens and City Manager. The Mayor’s comment that in 6 years no one had told him what was good about the RRC. We hope this
February 17, 2025
Should we further Certify Harbor Springs as a RRC town?
At this time, we believe Harbor Springs is an "engaged" member of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Here is the full document that slide by slide shows the steps a town needs to become "Essential" or "Certified". https://www.miplace.org/4a714c/globalassets/documents/rrc/rrc-best-practic
January 25, 2025
Zoning A reminder on how the MEDC/RRC Status can be involved -What to watch for - 6 slides
For zoning, and learning how our zoning is affected by the involvement of the MEDC/RRC. As an update, we now have various zoning parties and leaders suggesting that Harbor Springs does not go further into RRC Essentials or Certification status at this time. Please put the RRC on hold. Please review:
January 25, 2025
RRC & WLHS Questions about Growth
Growth Council Report https://growingmichigan.org/wp-content/uploads/2023-12-14-GMTC-Final-Report-2.pdf Pg 53 ‘Developing and rehabilitating our housing stock to create more and denser housing and additional live-work options will better match the lifestyle preferences and housing demands of the tal
November 29, 2024
BLOG: 10.21.24 In Harbor Springs We Trust - Transparency
Title: In Harbor Springs, We Trust Date: Compiled 10.21.24 Introduction: On October 17, 2024, just 19 days before the upcoming election, the community of Harbor Springs uncovered troubling information about the “VoteNO” campaign against proposed zoning changes. It was revealed that the campaign was
November 29, 2024
BLOG: Who are all the people that run the City ? Lists Under Construction
City Planner John Iacoangeli (Beckett & Raeder) – Reviews Planning Commission submissions; advises the PC and staff on planning/zoning issues; and assists in updating the Master Plan and Zoning Code City Engineer Benchmark – Provides civil engineering services for the City on public works projects;
November 20, 2024
BLOG: 12.2024 Updated:Boards & Committees
This post is under construction. More details to follow ... Here's a LINK to fill out a Participation form. It is recommended that you bring up your interest at a City Council meeting, in addition to filling out these forms. The next meeting is scheduled on https://www.cityofharborsprings.com/wp-con
November 17, 2024
11.15.24 Let's do this a NEW way. Not a Steamroller!
Harbor Springs can and should stand on its own, embrace its 2nd home persona, and define business and growth plans based on THIS uniqueness not a mediocrity of the statewide definition defined by MEDC, the RRC and Lansing. Let's now consider saying no to becoming a Cookie Cutter Town in the NorthWes
November 15, 2024
11.12.2024 About We Love Harbor Springs (WLHS)
A summary on various points being raised on interviews about WLHS. 1) WLHS is driven by more than 30 volunteers focused on the issue. With a broader group of 1400+ active engaged supporters on our news letter, petitions, etc. 2) WLHS was supported by about 100 donors. Every one from Harbor Springs o
November 12, 2024
BLOG: 8.19.24 "Street Stories" Canvassing in Harbor Springs
"STREET STORIES" CANVASSING & MORE IN A SMALL TOWN. THANK YOU FOR HELPING Building a coalition to get 25% of the voters in Harbor Springs to sign a Referendum on Ordinance #439 to rescind the New Zoning on November 7, 2024 When a group of concerned Harbor Springs residents banded together, after Ord
November 3, 2024
11.3.24 JUST BEFORE THE VOTE We are all entitled to our own opinions, but not to our own set of facts.
The Last Week. Time is running down to the second you open the door at City Hall to vote. Influencing folks are stating their positions. Let's make sure we remember carefully what we were all taught by our teachers and parents as we grew up. "We are all titled to our own opinions, but not to our own
November 3, 2024
10.31.24 Harbor Springs has been engaged with the RRC for years.... are we educated enough to know what's next?
MEDC/RRC What's in it for Harbor Springs? Helpful learning from our seemingly really remote and quiet neighbors to the North. Towns in the Upper Peninsula like Marquette .... towns smaller like Negaunee also become well-positioned for private investment and improved economic development opportunitie
October 31, 2024
BLOG: 10.31.24 An Argument Made: Sometimes, when you go slower, you get to your destination faster:
For the Government to have legitimacy, it needs to meet two requirements 1) To be engaging and transparent 2) To be believed they are engaging and transparent 350 voters signed a referendum because they did not think the city included their opinion and feedback on the zoning. 600+ property owners in
October 31, 2024
BLOG: 10.30.24 In Harbor Springs We Trust, We Now Have to Trust the Voters
In Harbor Springs, We Trust Compiled 10.21.24 Prepared for the Town Hall. On October 17th, 2024 only 19 days before the Nov. 5th election, we learned that the VoteNO campaign website site and Face Book Page was being administered by a professional political operative working currently a volunteer on
October 30, 2024
ZONING: 10.24.24 By-Right Zoning: Good for Consultants and Developers; Bad for Harbor Springs
Everyone loves Harbor, but everyone doesn't love the NO & YES vote. We were successful on getting the new zoning code on the November 5th ballot. That was a win. What is not a friend or a neighbor or a win is the new zoning. Public hearings and community input should be preserved, not swept aside fo
October 24, 2024
National News 9.26.24 Cultural Steamroller Heads for Harbor Springs
http://Enjoyer Brochure Steamroller Harbor Springs.pdf O.W. Root is a writer based in Northern Michigan, with a focus on nature, food, style, and culture. Follow him on X @NecktieSalvage. The idea that Harbor Springs—a town of 1,274 with no stoplight, a town so quiet that you need to whisper when yo
October 11, 2024
ZONING: 9.1.24 Rural or Urban? The importance of remaining rural
While reading - it hit me - we here in Harbor Springs are a rural town among a county with shared community services. Seasonal population fluctuations, distances between those shared services (like the hospital, and the box stores), are common to all of us yet our Harbor Springs centric issues solut
October 11, 2024
ZONING: 10.8.24 Down Town & Two Story Buildings
One concerned voter writes: ‘Future Land Use’ In the 2012 Vision documents and research on the future land use, the documents @did NOT encourage changing height of the TIF /Downtown area, rather the respondents encouraged the uniqueness of intermixed residential with and among shops. I believe that
October 8, 2024
9.18.24 Why RRC ? Some History of Harbor Springs - Master Plan
HISTORY: Anyone who supports the Redevelopment Ready Community (RRC) views, rules and regulations may have missed a valuable story of how Harbor Springs became a ‘best’ lake city here in northwest Michigan. (This month voted by Travel and Leisure Magazine.) The question is if Harbor Springs should b
September 18, 2024
BLOG: 5.20.24 Platform Piece: What We Want, (Changes to the Proposed Zoning Code) Submitted to City Council
May 6th, 2024 SPECIFIC CONCERNS Overall message/goal: Preserve the character and charm of Harbor Springs. Our goal is to protect the integrity and character of Harbor Springs. Since the 1850's our unique identity has enjoyed many generations of families and visitors regularly returning in search of
September 18, 2024