City Council

Who gets to decide the future of Harbor Springs—and how?

Dear Friends, So I asked around and spoke with several writers and asked If we strip away all the specifics we have written about Harbor Springs—zoning tables, ARC thresholds, parking ratios, PDs, consultants, memos, timelines—what have you hear is the one question underneath everything, it’s this:

February 5, 2026

How to Pick a Great City Manager for Harbor Springs? Guidelines by ICMA

The best way to educate on the answer to this question and to give more insight for communities that we have found so far is that most of the State of Michigan communities rely on these International City/County Management Association (ICMA) Guidelines INFO: https://icma.org/documents/recruitment-gu

January 24, 2026

Zoning Takes Effect January 26th: Here is What is Still Being Debated

Parking rules, building heights, and planned development head back to Planning Commission as the community asks: was the process enough?

January 24, 2026

After the Vote: Clarifying the Zoning Code and the Path Forward

What the January 5 City Council Decision Means for Harbor Springs’ Charm, Character, and Long-Term Stewardship

January 11, 2026

Planned Development to Preserve & Protect

There is no eraser once zoning is adopted

December 28, 2025

Aligned Planning, Lynee Wells Advice for Harbor Springs Zoning Code - The Proposed Zoning Code is Not ready for Preserve & Protection

Developers: Could vs Would

December 17, 2025

Rust to Judgement

- City Council meets on Monday, December 1st, Monday, December 8th, and Monday December 15th, at 7 p.m. Check here for the **agendas, or **when available: at City Website, Zoom Meeting, You Tube - The Board of Review at 9am and Parks and Rec meet on Tuesday, December 9 at 5:30 PM . The DDA and ZBA all meet on Wednesday, December 10th. The schedules and information are available here: Meeting Calendar. - The next scheduled Planning Commission meeting is Thursday, December 18th, at 5:30 pm, check here for the agenda when available: City Website, Zoom Meeting, You Tube - Remember, the Planning Commission only makes a recommendation on zoning to the City Council. Only the City Council can decide on zoning updates.

November 30, 2025

Form 990: WHLH Organizational Filing

We Love Harbor Springs is a 501(c)(4) that follows State and Federal law.

November 24, 2025

City Charter, OMA, and the Potter Panic

What the Law Actually Intends: Charter, OMA, and the Andy Potter Panic

November 21, 2025

Harbor Springs Update: Leadership, Zoning, and What Happens Next

- The next scheduled Planning Commission meeting is tonight Thursday, November 20th. They will continue discussions on the proposed draft zoning code, in preparation for submission to the City Council and Capital Improvement projects. Agenda Zoom Meeting, You Tube - City Council meets Monday, December 1st and December 15th, at 7 p.m. Check here for the agenda when available: City Website, Zoom Meeting, You Tube - The Parks and Rec meet on Tuesday, December 9 at 5:30. The DDA and ZBA all meet on Wednesday, December 10th. The schedules and information are available here: Meeting Calendar. - Remember the Planning Commission only makes a recommendation on zoning to the City Council. It is only the City Council that can decide on zoning updates.

November 20, 2025

An Essay: "Let's All Get Along!"

Where do we go from here?

November 6, 2025

Focus Please

Harbor Springs has 45 days to hire a City Manager. Instead, we're investigating a conversation

November 5, 2025

Ideas Over Promises: Building the Next Chapter for Harbor Springs

We don’t endorse candidates, but we do believe in thoughtful leadership. What’s your vision for the City Council’s priorities?

October 28, 2025

Election Matters - Please Vote!

- **City Council:** Monday, November 3, at 12 p.m. Earlier in the day due to the election on the next day. Check here for the agenda when available: City Website, Zoom Meeting, You Tube - **Planning Commission: **Public Hearing for zoning is Thursday, November 13th. They will continue discussions on the proposed draft zoning code, in preparation for future submission to the City Council. Zoom Meeting, You Tube - **Parks and Recreation:** Tuesday, November 11th. - **The DDA and ZBA:** meet on Wednesday, November 12th. - The schedules, agendas, and information can be found here: Meeting Calendar. - The City Council must vote with a simple majority (3 of 5) to make the zoning law. The Planning Commission recommends zoning updates to the City Council. A planning consultant writes the code based on the Planning Commission's direction. The new members of the City Council elected on November 4th will decide the final zoning.

October 23, 2025

Planning Commission Oct 16, 2025

The Planning Commission is voting to approve zoning on Oct 21, 2025 in a Special Meeting.

October 18, 2025

60 Open Zoning Issues to Ponder

The next scheduled Planning Commission meeting is at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, October 16. They will continue the discussion on finalizing the proposed draft zoning code, in preparation for their eventual submission of the proposed code changes to the City Council, most likely after the election. Check here for the agenda when available: Agenda Zoom Meeting YouTube

October 11, 2025

Absentee Ballot Alert

Have you received your ballot ?

October 8, 2025

Questions & Answers in Harbor Light News of Candidates for City Council

QUESTIONS: FROM THE HARBOR LIGHT Please tell us about yourself and what skills you believe you would bring to the City Council table. What are the biggest challenges you believe the City currently faces? Are there additional long-term concerns you have that need to be addressed now– if so, please ex

October 3, 2025

What Next ? A Planner’s Viewpoint

- City Council meets Monday, October 6, at 7 p.m. Check here for the agenda when available: City Website, Zoom Meeting, You Tube - The DDA, Harbor Commission, and ZBA all meet on Wednesday, October 8. The schedules and information are available here: Meeting Calendar. - The next scheduled Planning Commission meeting is Thursday, October 16. They will continue discussions on the proposed draft zoning code, in preparation for submission to the City Council. Zoom Meeting, You Tube - The Planning Commission only makes a recommendation on zoning to the City Council. It is only the City Council that can decide on zoning updates.

September 30, 2025

Meet the 2025 City Council Candidates

The Chamber of Commerce will be hosting their annual Meet the Candidates Forum, tomorrow Wednesday at 7pm.

September 23, 2025