9/17/2025 - Suttons Bay Village | ePacket Overview

Summary

The Suttons Bay Planning Commission held a meeting on July 16, 2025, where they approved the agenda and minutes from the previous meeting. Public comments revealed community support for a new development by Inland Seas and concerns about local zoning issues. The commission members discussed the Master Plan priorities and assigned tasks related to zoning amendments, particularly focusing on shorelines, environmental standards, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs). The next meeting is scheduled for August 20, 2025.

Public Comments

Fred Sitkins spoke in support of the Inland Seas project, emphasizing its plans to repurpose a blighted building into a community-focused learning center with improvements for environmental conservation. Larry Mawby commented on the land purchase from the local school, though details were not elaborated.

Affordable Housing Initiatives

D. Smith reviewed the ordinances regarding Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), suggesting they incorporate incentives for using them as long-term or seasonal workforce rentals. Letters of support from the Suttons Bay Congregational Church and other non-profits were shared, advocating for a zoning amendment to allow nonprofit organizations to own properties with ADUs without being owner-occupied.

Parks and Recreation Matters

No relevant discussions on parks and recreation were reported in the meeting.

Infrastructure Projects

No infrastructure projects such as marina improvements, cell tower placements, or water/sewer discussions were recorded in the minutes.

Other Business

The commission discussed ongoing zoning amendments and updates from the Zoning Administration, including the approval of 10 permits to date. The Zoning Board of Appeals denied an application for a dimensional variance and mentioned that staff inquiries relating to land use were being addressed.

Financial Summary

No financial information regarding budgets, funding requests, or expenditures was present in the document.

Action Items

- Commission members are to continue reviewing and making recommendations on zoning ordinances related to their assigned topics. - Chairperson Hetler will investigate waterfront view protections in zoning language. - D. Smith will work on promoting incentives for ADUs targeting workforce housing. - Address the various public inquiries related to zoning and land use matters as needed. - The commission will consider the ADU amendment request from the Suttons Bay Congregational Church at the next meeting.