The only reason for zoning changes is the RRC. It dictates higher density and multi-family housing in order to qualify for grants from the state. THIS is the reason the city is so dug in about changing the zoning code. Take the RRC out and you have the 2005 code which has served Harbor Springs so well. Some people stand to make a lot of money by opening us up to development. These people should not be making decisions for the rest of us.
WHEN will the Planning Commission tell us WHY? It is troubling to watch them ignore the people's very simple request. Second question is why the hurry? The city and the Planning Commission will not be forthcoming about answering these two very reasonable questions. And finally, instead or defending the modalities of choice for outreach to the community WHY not send the property owner a professionally constructed survey? a Professional Survey Firm whose only business is to write, tabulate community outreach surveys. Have THEM document and interpret the outcomes? Reasonable, smart and proactive. If the survey firm is not attached to the city in anyway it will not only be substantially more valid, BUT it will build confidence from the constituents. Instead of blaming and pointing fingers about public participation, why not use the USPS to send surveys? The city already knows the value and the effectiveness of this mode because they used the post to send information out before the #439 election, send our tax receipts, bills and utility fees, etc. Send surveys in the mail that way the likely hood of it reaching the owner is robust & you can prove you got to them and that they are valid property owners - rather than depend on the owner being at the right place at the right time (on line, reading a once a week publication or happen to attend a meeting where the survey is mentioned.) AND wondering if they are truly property owners. The onus is on the staff to ask & problem solve, "if this is not working, what else can we do?" rather than blame it on the property owner for not being at the right place/right time. The people have spoken/voted and yet they have not been heard. STILL not heard. The challenge remains...you can Listen all day, and still not Hear.
The only reason for zoning changes is the RRC. It dictates higher density and multi-family housing in order to qualify for grants from the state. THIS is the reason the city is so dug in about changing the zoning code. Take the RRC out and you have the 2005 code which has served Harbor Springs so well. Some people stand to make a lot of money by opening us up to development. These people should not be making decisions for the rest of us.
WHEN will the Planning Commission tell us WHY? It is troubling to watch them ignore the people's very simple request. Second question is why the hurry? The city and the Planning Commission will not be forthcoming about answering these two very reasonable questions. And finally, instead or defending the modalities of choice for outreach to the community WHY not send the property owner a professionally constructed survey? a Professional Survey Firm whose only business is to write, tabulate community outreach surveys. Have THEM document and interpret the outcomes? Reasonable, smart and proactive. If the survey firm is not attached to the city in anyway it will not only be substantially more valid, BUT it will build confidence from the constituents. Instead of blaming and pointing fingers about public participation, why not use the USPS to send surveys? The city already knows the value and the effectiveness of this mode because they used the post to send information out before the #439 election, send our tax receipts, bills and utility fees, etc. Send surveys in the mail that way the likely hood of it reaching the owner is robust & you can prove you got to them and that they are valid property owners - rather than depend on the owner being at the right place at the right time (on line, reading a once a week publication or happen to attend a meeting where the survey is mentioned.) AND wondering if they are truly property owners. The onus is on the staff to ask & problem solve, "if this is not working, what else can we do?" rather than blame it on the property owner for not being at the right place/right time. The people have spoken/voted and yet they have not been heard. STILL not heard. The challenge remains...you can Listen all day, and still not Hear.