Summary
The Village of Suttons Bay Committee of the Whole meeting held on May 5, 2026, was focused on various critical community issues, primarily addressing public safety concerns about Elm Street and discussions regarding affordable housing initiatives. The meeting included public comments from residents highlighting these concerns and resulted in directives for further action and follow-up.Public Comments
Several residents voiced their concerns during the public comments section:-
Kate Fairman and Bill Queen expressed worries about the safety of their daughter, Lucy, who has Down Syndrome, when walking along Elm Street. They emphasized the danger posed by the absence of a shoulder or sidewalk, especially at the Leo Creek crossing. They requested that the village prioritize improvements for pedestrian safety.
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Michael Jarvis and Lynne Bracl, from 967 Elm Street, formally requested repairs and widening of the roadway, highlighting its deteriorated state and the excessive speeds of vehicles. They urged the council to prioritize infrastructure improvements for safer pedestrian access.
Bill Perkins, a village trustee, confirmed that Elm Street had long been recognized as a problem area and requested that the infrastructure issues be added to the agenda for further discussion.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Susan Leithauser-Yee from Housing North provided an introduction to the concept of Workforce Housing PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) and Housing TIF (Tax Increment Financing). She noted significant changes made at the state level in 2023, which impact developers seeking to build workforce housing. The committee agreed to schedule a time for her to present more on the topic during the next council meeting.Infrastructure Projects
The committee received significant input regarding Elm Street, which has been reported as unsafe for both vehicular and pedestrian traffic due to its poor condition and roadway width. The council discussed the necessity of future infrastructure improvements, such as:- Rebuilding Elm Street to current safety standards,
- Addressing the condition of culverts which have exceeded their designed lifespan,
- Enacting traffic calming measures to ensure compliance with speed limits.
The council has recognized the condition of Elm Street as a priority and decided to include further discussions regarding the improvements in future meetings.