Zoning: Time for a Referendum
We are signature drive for the zoning referendum on June 27th 2024
Your Key Next Action
The most important next action is to attend the organizing meeting for the referendum signature drive on Thursday, June 20th at 4 PM at the Colonial Inn.
The Brief
Our teams have been working hard on preparing for the referendum, a slate for the fall election, and fundraising. All efforts are moving forward and growing.
We Love Harbor Springs, Inc. (WLHS) represents a range of residents, property owners, voters, businesses, and visitors who appreciate the town's unique nature. More than 1000 people. People who want to see Harbor Springs thrive while maintaining its unique qualities.
Our immediate plan is to launch a referendum to correct what the City Council refused to address in the zoning. Through the process of the referendum, we will expand our base of support. Simultaneously, we are finalizing a slate for the fall election. A combination of success with the referendum and a successful slate will realign the City Government.
Key Upcoming Events
There are several important events over the next month. Each needs the assistance of volunteers. Please reach out to weloveharborsprings@gmail.com to get engaged.
On Thursday, June 20th, 4pm at the Colonial Inn, we are holding the final organization meeting for gathering 300+ referendum signatures. Please attend.
On June 27th, we will start reaching out to voters to gather signatures in less than 30 days, preferably 2 weeks.
We are hosting a fundraising party on July 10th. 5PM to 6:30 PM at the boathouse. Invitations to follow.
Candidates for the election need to submit their interest by July 24th.
There are a range of City Meetings. Planning Commission, DDA, etc. Make an effort to attend 2 or 3 of these meetings over the next 2 months. It will help you understand the dynamic of the City and how you can influence the direction the City is taking. Here is the meeting calendar: (Link)
Referendum
Our planned referendum will put the zoning on the ballot. With our proposed slate for a new Mayor and 2 city council members, we expect new City Leadership after the fall election. We would then restructure the zoning as outlined in What Needs to Change.
No one is against sensible development or the right to develop property. Our principal concerns are removing virtually all Planning Commission oversight, excluding property owners from the zoning discussion, removing notice to neighbors, and moving major approvals to an unaccountable administrative function. The approved Zoning Ordinance was written by an outside consultant, Beckett and Raeder. The language is a cookie-cutter format they use in every city they consult.
We need 25% of the voters in Harbor Springs to sign a referendum to get on the ballot. 50% makes it a sure thing. The process for a referendum is the following:
Launch on June 27th
Gather signatures from 25% of the voters within 30 days of our start
The City Clerk then has 15 days to certify the petition
The zoning is then paused
The City General Counsel then fashions the ballot questions
It is placed on the fall Ballot
If more than 50% of the people voting support the referendum, the zoning is reverted.
We would then work with the City to redraft and approve new zoning with the input of property owners and other interested parties.
The Fall Election
The Mayor’s seat and two city council seats are up for election this fall. We Love Harbor Springs, Inc. (HLHS) was formed to improve the quality of city government. We are in discussions with several candidates. For various reasons it makes sense to be quiet on specifics until the filing date on July 24th.
To run for a seat, a person needs to be a voting resident in the City of Harbor Springs for 2 years. We are looking for strong candidates who have been involved in City Government in some capacity here or in other towns. If you have a candidate in mind, please let us know at weloveharborsprings@gmail.com.
Many of you can register to vote in Harbor Springs, even as part-time residents. This may have no impact on your homestead and tax status. Take a look at the State rules about registration online.
Some Data on WLHS
Our group continues to grow. It includes the residents, voters, property owners, area townships, and visitors who love Harbor Springs. The data from the last 30 days shows that:
918 Signed on the Property Owners Protest petition
Newsletter with more than 1,013 subscribers, 3,082 readers, 8,000 views, and 70% open rate (Subscribe)
Facebook: 160 Followers, 74 likes and growing (Please follow, like and comment)
5 followers on Twitter, but a start: Twitter
60+ Donors: If you can not free up time to help, then Please donate so we can support the candidates in the fall election. - This is a 501(c)(4). All monies received will go towards legal action, public relations, and political impact.
955 Supporters on Change.org
What have we achieved?
Shifted the conversation to transparency and accountability.
Dramatically increased digital outreach on how the government runs in Harbor Springs. Exceeding the City’s efforts, and far exceeding the reach of Harbor Light.
Created We Love Harbor Springs, a 501(c)(4) also known as a PAC (Political Action Committee).
Built an organization of 30+ volunteers helping to run WLHS.
Raised seed money to launch the effort.
Hired proper legal counsel.
Held two town hall meetings to improve understanding.
By attending meetings, covering the separate agendas of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA); the Redevelopment Ready Community ( RRC ) and the Parks and Recreation Board and understanding the impact to Harbor Springs by Beckett and Raeder, RRC, and by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).
Building efforts to publicize and assure the the Planning Commission and City Council meetings are well attended, presenting a public voice, and challenging city officials with facts and data.
Help Needed
This is a volunteer organization. If you can help with any of these issues, please contact weloveharborsprings@gmail.com
Watch Dog: There are numerous sub-committees and meetings in City Hall. Our intent is to attend each meeting, summarizing important findings in this newsletter. We need volunteers to cover these meetings during the summer.
Form a slate for the Fall Election - Mayor and two city council seats.
Help raise funds and donations for We Love Harbor Springs, Inc our PAC, to support the election and long-term positioning of good city government.