Summary
The Village of Suttons Bay Planning Commission's June 18, 2025 meeting packet includes the agenda plus minutes from the prior (May 21, 2025) meeting, a staff memo on 2025-2026 priorities, and a May zoning report. At the May 21 meeting, chaired by Hetler with members Feringa, Pontius, D. Smith, and Campbell present (F. Smith and Hylwa absent), the Commission unanimously recommended that Village Council adopt zoning ordinance text amendments after reviewing findings of fact under Section 18-3. The Commission also began work on prioritizing Master Plan checklist items, to be continued at the June 18 meeting.
Public Comments
At the May 21 meeting, no public comment was offered during the zoning ordinance public hearing, which Chair Hetler opened and closed at 5:03 pm. The Commission was presented with a Notice of Intent from Leelanau County regarding an amendment to the Leelanau County General Plan; no discussion details were recorded.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Commissioner D. Smith stated during Good of the Order that she would like to make affordable housing a priority for the Commission. She noted Peninsula Housing will host a public event to gather community input, and that a property purchase at the school site would provide access to water and sewer service. Planner Kopriva's June 12, 2025 memo to the Commission grouped Master Plan priorities under a "Housing" theme, including updating PUD regulations for workforce housing, density bonuses and reduced parking incentives, mapping areas for workforce housing, defining long-term versus workforce housing, streamlining review processes, and incentive programs for varied housing sizes. Following discussion, the Commission is asked to select one topic to begin working on.
Infrastructure Projects
The Village Council report noted that water rates will be increasing in the Village. No further detail on amount or timeline was provided.
Other Business
The Commission approved the May 21 agenda (5-0) and approved the April 16, 2025 minutes as amended after Feringa noted a spelling error of his name (5-0). Commissioner Pontius raised a concern that the central business district ordinance lacks language requiring Hotel/B&B uses to provide employee parking; Hetler suggested this be added as a future discussion item. The Zoning Board of Appeals was scheduled to meet June 11, 2025 on a dimensional variance request for 379 S. Shore Dr. in the single-family waterfront district. Planner Kopriva cautioned members against commenting on pending applications and against ex-parte contact with applicants, instructing that any applicant contact be forwarded to Village staff. The May zoning report showed 5 new land use permits issued (total 8 year-to-date), including change-of-use permits for 73 W. Fourth St. and 101 E. Dame St., alterations at 345 S. Shore Dr., a fence at 503 N. St. Joseph St., and a sign at 101 E. Dame St. A land division application was received for Herman Rd. (Suttons Bay Schools).
Action Items
Commission members are to review the Master Plan priority checklist, reorganize items by topic/zoning grouping, and identify short-term ("low hanging fruit") versus long-term priorities; staff was to send a reminder in two weeks. Per Kopriva's memo, following discussion the Commission should select one priority topic to begin working on. Hetler asked that future discussion address employee parking requirements for Hotel/B&B uses in the central business district.