Timeline

What is the DDA? What does it do?

What is the DDA? For more information: DDA-101_handouts-3 The DDA is integral to the MEDC's (Michigan Economic Development Corporation's) plan/process across the State of Michigan. Small towns, large towns are all being swept into either certification or engagement of Harbor Springs by the RRC (Rede

December 30, 2024

7.24 COI -Educate on the subject of Conflict of Interest

Conflict of interest is defined as an actual or perceived interest by a staff or board member in an action that results in, or has the appearance of resulting in, personal, organizational, or professional gain. A conflict of interest exists even if no unethical or improper act results from it - is a

December 13, 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

11.12.2024 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

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: 10.9.24 Mixed Use Zoning in Harbor Springs - info by MEDC

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) typically focuses on economic development rather than specific zoning laws. Zoning policies for three-story buildings would more likely be regulated by local city or county zoning ordinances rather than by the MEDC itself.MEDC tends to focus on po

October 9, 2024

9.22.24 Five Reasons to end the MEDC - Research Report #2 of 2

Did Harbor Springs City Manager do the homework before signing up for the MEDC/RRC process? This article is from January 25, 2019. https://www.mackinac.org/five-reasons-to-end-the-michigan-economic-development-corporation The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is set to expire this year. The

September 22, 2024

9.22.24 History of the MEDC/RRC and its almost failure. Report #1 of 2

We hope you can get through this lengthy article; https://www.mackinac.org/S2009-06#executive-summary 2009 MEDC and it’s failures and costs to the State coffers - the entire project could have been axed. Instead in 2012 it was resurrected/reformed into all the entities we know today that are involve

September 22, 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

BLOG: 9.17.24 The Right To Farm

https://www.voteyes439.org/why-vote-yes-on-439 THE RIGHT TO FARM: Or the Right to protect the Agricultural District. With 22 reasons to Vote Yes to repeal and replace Ordinance #439 Zoning Code, one follower AND PROPERTY OWNER AFFECTED BY THE NEW ZONING reached out today and wrote this regarding los

September 17, 2024

Resort Town or a Year Round Livable Historic Town? The Best Lake Town

The writer of this wonderful story uses the word “historic” about 25 times and every positive note is conveyed due to its utter lack of ugly commercial development. Harbor Springs is special because of its natural beauty and gorgeously kept historic houses and buildings. Keeping it as it is! Keeping

September 7, 2024

9.2.24 Labor Day Observation - Part 1 - Please Vote Yes to Repeal Ordinance #439

Communities throughout Michigan and many states are burdened with the same question; how to make housing affordable? Harbor Springs may struggle with - what is ‘affordable’ - and by whose measure? What one neighborhood needs is assuredly different than the needs of another neighborhood. We listen to

September 2, 2024

ZONING: Is there always a need for clarifications? by Little Traverse Bay Housing Partnership

Is there always a need for clarifications? It's better when we can clarify/confirm any news that is published. Thank you for the opportunity. We ask for that opportunity in the future. The below article was posted in the Little Traverse Bay Housing Partnership Newsletter. They asked us for some deta

August 12, 2024

BLOG: 8.11.24. Affordable Housing 101 - WLHS Asked to Show this Video at the Lyric MOVIE

This is the video we'd like to premiere in Harbor Springs. Let's start here. Thanks to Nicki at the Petoskey Chamber! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49c4yUcC-1Y

August 11, 2024

BLOG: 8.11.24 Thank you! Meeting at City Council - Your Signatures Won on 8.4.24 MOVIE

Thank you to the City Council for placing the zoning on the ballot. A singular 4 to 1 vote, Mayoral candidate Nancy Rondel was the sole member against letting the voters decide. A win for all of you that wanted this to happen. Here is how it happened: You may find some of this video of the meeting d