Summary
The document combines the Suttons Bay Village Planning Commission's May 20, 2026 meeting agenda with the minutes of its December 17, 2025 meeting and an April 2026 Zoning Report. At the December meeting, the Commission held a public hearing and unanimously recommended that the Village Council adopt a zoning text amendment allowing EV charging stations as an accessory use, and approved the Inland Seas Education Association (ISEA) campus expansion site plan with several conditions. Vice-Chairperson Pontius presided in the absence of the Chair.
Public Comments
Fred Sitkins thanked the Village for its cooperation in reaching conditional approval of the ISEA project, and later thanked the Commission again after the vote. Sally Somali, an ISEA volunteer and former board member, spoke in favor of the project. During the EVSE charging station public hearing, Larry Mawby urged the Commission to recommend the Village Council adopt the proposed ordinance language as presented; no other public comment was received before the hearing closed at 5:06 p.m.
Infrastructure Projects
The Commission reviewed a proposed zoning ordinance amendment (Article 2, 10, and 20) to permit EV charging stations as an accessory use. After opening (Ayes: 5, Nays: 0) and closing the public hearing, the Commission evaluated the amendment against the nine Article 18-3 criteria, finding it consistent with the intent of the ordinance and Master Plan, with no negative impact on public facilities or services. F. Smith moved and M. Campbell seconded to recommend the Village Council adopt the amendment as presented; motion carried, Ayes: 5, Nays: 0.
Other Business
The Commission reviewed the ISEA Campus Expansion Project site plan. D. Smith moved and F. Smith seconded approval with three conditions: (1) ZBA approval of a variance for the build-to/setback along Dame Street, with no guarantee of ZBA action implied; (2) approval of all outside agency permits (water, sewer, stormwater, roads, fire, soil erosion, EGLE), with no guarantee of their approval; and (3) fire and DPW approval for removal of secondary access to the site. Motion carried, Ayes: 5, Nays: 0.
Financial Summary
The Village Council report noted that a Truth in Taxation hearing was held and the 2026 Budget was adopted; no further financial figures were provided.
Action Items
The ISEA applicant must obtain ZBA variance approval for the Dame Street build-to/setback (ZBA meeting scheduled January 14, 2026) and secure all outside agency permits (water, sewer, stormwater, roads, fire, soil erosion, EGLE) plus fire/DPW sign-off on secondary access removal before the project proceeds. The EVSE ordinance amendment recommendation was forwarded to the Village Council for adoption. Per the April 2026 Zoning Report, two land use permit applications and one land division application remained under review, with no ZBA activity reported and no recommendations pending for the Commission.