Summary
The April 16, 2025 agenda for the Suttons Bay Village Planning Commission includes officer elections, Master Plan priority review, the 2024 Annual Report, and proposed zoning amendments. Supporting materials show that at the November 13, 2024 meeting (Vice Chair Pontius presiding; Feringa, Pontius, D. Smith, F. Smith, Hylwa and Campbell present; Hetler absent), the Commission held a public hearing on Bayview District story-height and wireless-communications ordinance changes and voted 6-0 to recommend Village Council adoption. The Commission also recommended the 2025 budget (6-0) and a revised meeting schedule moving Planning Commission meetings to the third Wednesday and ZBA to the second Wednesday of each month.
Public Comments
No public comments or written communications were received at the November 13, 2024 meeting. A public hearing opened at 5:04 p.m. on the Section 5-3 (Bayview stories) and Section 9-13 (Wireless Communications) amendments drew no public comment and closed at 5:04 p.m.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
A February 2025 Master Plan memo from planner Sara Kopriva (Beckett & Raeder) lists high-priority housing action items for Commission review, including mapping priority areas for workforce/attainable housing, developing form-based zoning for walkability, updating PUD regulations to support workforce housing, adding PUD incentives (density bonuses, reduced parking, utility fee adjustments), and considering dormitory/boarding housing for seasonal workforce needs. Additional medium/low-priority items include limiting short-term rentals in workforce housing districts, defining "long-term rental," allowing additional ADUs, and streamlining review for workforce housing developments. These are listed as planning priorities, not adopted decisions; the Commission had only reached the Housing, Natural Resources, and Transportation categories in its priority-rating exercise as of November 2024.
Infrastructure Projects
D. Smith reported to the Commission that Village Council entered a contract with Abonmarche for design and construction oversight of a new marina and public restrooms. The Commission also recommended (6-0, D. Smith moved, F. Smith seconded) updating Section 9-13 Wireless Communications to align with State law (P.A. 110 of 2006), allowing administrative approval of equipment collocated on existing towers without special use permits, provided height/width/compound-size limits are met.
Other Business
The 2024 Annual Report (VSB-2024-56) noted no new site plans or special use permit applications in 2024, that the ZBA did not meet in 2024, and that zoning amendments to Sections 4-1(C), 4-3, and 2-6(G) (wetland protection) were adopted. A March 2025 memo proposed "housekeeping" zoning amendments (setback definitions, marihuana facility prohibition, parking placement/on-street parking exemptions, Table 10-3 parking requirements) with a possible motion to schedule a public hearing. Zoning reports show one land use permit issued in January 2025 (Storage Shed & Fence, 303 N. Lincoln) and one in February 2025 (Detached Garage w/Rec Room, 324 N. St. Mary's, pending sewer/water approval).
Financial Summary
The Commission voted 6-0 (F. Smith moved, Hylwa seconded) to recommend the 2025 budget to Village Council for adoption; no specific dollar figures were provided in the minutes.
Action Items
- Village Council to address recommended Section 5-3 and Section 9-13 amendments (per Annual Report, at its February 2025 meeting).
- Commission to finish rating remaining Master Plan priority categories beyond Housing, Natural Resources, and Transportation.
- Consider scheduling a public hearing (originally suggested for the April 9 Planning Commission meeting) on housekeeping zoning amendments.
- Memo sent to Village Planner regarding off-street parking requirements in the Central Business and Mixed-Use Districts.