Summary
The Suttons Bay Village Planning Commission's July 22, 2026 agenda focused on continuing work on Driveway Standards in Alleys and Master Plan Priorities, building on the June 17, 2026 meeting where the Commission voted 6-0 to forward its 2025 Annual Report to Village Council and reviewed draft driveway-access language. No formal votes were recorded in the July materials themselves, as the packet consists largely of a zoning administrator memo, a planner's project memorandum, a June zoning report, and a Master Plan Action Items table.
Public Comments
The June 17, 2026 minutes note no public comment or written communications were received. One guest was present but did not speak. No public comments are recorded in the July 22 agenda materials.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The Master Plan Action Items list contains numerous high-priority housing recommendations, though these are proposed planning priorities rather than adopted decisions. Items include creating incentive programs for developments that include a variety of housing types, considering form-based zoning standards to promote walkability, considering allowing an additional ADU (one attached and one detached) on the same property, considering an overlay district to delineate workforce housing development areas without adding new zoning districts, considering short-term rentals in areas targeted for workforce housing, and updating Planned Unit Development (PUD) regulations to include incentives (density bonus, reduced parking, utility hook-up fees, minimum dwelling size/width, height bonuses) supporting workforce housing. Several items were marked "on hold." Continuous-priority items include ensuring zoning allows appropriate residential accessibility for older residents and updating residential zoning districts to permit housing for all age groups consistent with Master Plan goals.
Infrastructure Projects
Under Village Council Updates in the June 17 minutes, it was noted that the Marina Ordinance had "a few changes." No further detail, votes, or next steps were provided.
Other Business
The Commission discussed Driveway Standards in Alleys, questioning why driveways must access from an alley rather than a major street, why some alleys are paved and others are not (noted as a Village Council question), and the number of curb cuts/access points to be addressed by the DPW. Zoning Administrator Steve Patmore advised he would meet with DPW Director Dave Miller and Planner Sara Schroeder (Beckett & Raeder) to finalize recommendations; a July 17, 2026 memo confirmed this work is ongoing with plans to complete it "this fall." A Chamber email regarding sandwich board placement on sidewalks was noted; boards must be adjacent to and perpendicular to buildings. The June 2026 Zoning Report showed 4 land use permits issued (13 year-to-date), no ZBA activity, one pending parcel transfer application, and ongoing work on the Inland Seas Site Plan.
Action Items
- Zoning Administrator Steve Patmore, DPW Director Dave Miller, and Planner Sara Schroeder to continue developing the driveway/access zoning amendment, targeted for completion this fall.
- Village Council to address the alley paving policy question raised by the Commission.
- DPW to address the number of curb cuts/access points.
- Master Plan Action Items (housing, natural resources, economic development, transportation, community) remain to be formally considered/acted upon by the Commission.