Summary
The Suttons Bay Village Planning Commission met on July 16, 2025, with Chairperson Hetler presiding. The agenda was amended to allow additional public comment and approved 5-0, and the June 18, 2025 minutes were approved 5-0. The majority of the meeting focused on Master Plan priorities, with commission members reporting on their assigned reviews of zoning ordinance sections. The meeting adjourned with a 6-0 vote.
Public Comments
Fred Sitkins spoke about the Inland Seas project, describing plans to convert a blighted building into a new campus with learning spaces, expanded solar power, vessel maintenance facilities, and wetland preservation. He noted that village staff had reviewed the plan and offered suggestions. Larry Mawby spoke regarding 9.5 acres purchased from the school. During a later public comment period, Mawby also thanked the Planning Commission for its hard work.
Other Business
Master Plan review: Commission members each reported on zoning ordinance sections relevant to the Master Plan update. Chair Hetler reviewed waterfront view provisions (Article 2, Sections 11 and 14; Article 8/PUD) and Article 12 (Signs), noting limited language protecting waterfront views and possible need to revisit sign definitions. Steve Feringa reviewed environmental standards and stormwater management (Article 2-9, 2-10, and nine other sections), recommending adoption of Low Impact Design language, changing "encourages" to "shall use" in Article 11-5, replacing outdated DEQ references with EGLE, and updating floodplain language to reflect 2018 FEMA changes; he offered to share relevant language from Acme Township. F. Smith reviewed buffering standards (Article 5, Section 11-4), finding them acceptable, and asked about noise regulation; staff clarified noise is governed by a separate police power ordinance adopted by Village Council. D. Smith reviewed ADU provisions (Articles 2-3, 5-2, 9-2) and suggested incentives for long-term/seasonal workforce ADU rentals and targeting certain districts for workforce housing. R. Hylwa reviewed the Gateway District, noting an omission on the zoning map, and will report further on natural resource references. Hetler announced that S. Kopriva will present on PUD language and updated Master Plan action items at the next meeting.
Reports: The Zoning Administration Report was presented as submitted, with 10 permits issued to date. The Village Council report noted that Zoning Amendments were adopted. The Zoning Board of Appeals reported denial of an application for 379 S Shore.
The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 20, 2025.
Action Items
- Steve Feringa to obtain and share stormwater management language from Acme Township with commission members.
- R. Hylwa to complete review of the Gateway District section for natural resource references and report back.
- S. Kopriva to present PUD language review and updated Master Plan action items at the August 20, 2025 meeting.
- Commission to continue reviewing ADU incentive language and workforce housing district targeting, per D. Smith's suggestion.