Summary
The Suttons Bay Village Planning Commission met on April 16, 2025, with Vice Chairperson Pontius presiding. The commission elected new officers, advanced Master Plan priority work, approved forwarding the 2024 Annual Report to Village Council, and scheduled a public hearing for May 21, 2025 on a set of housekeeping zoning amendments.
Public Comments
Julie Bravender of Suttons Bay Harbor House asked the commission to consider a text amendment for Bed & Breakfasts that would base occupancy limits on total guest count rather than number of bedrooms, allowing up to 10 people. No commission decision was made on this request.
Larry Mawby, representing Peninsula Housing, reported that Peninsula Housing and the Land Bank are purchasing roughly 9 acres of school property on the southwest portion off Herman Road, with closing expected by the end of May. They intend to seek rezoning for residential housing and will host a community event to gather public input on the site's future use. Peninsula Housing plans to lease the athletic fields back to the school for a three-year period; the purchase does not include the current high school baseball field.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The Peninsula Housing/Land Bank purchase of the Herman Road school property, described above under Public Comments, is intended to create residential housing. A community input event is planned, and rezoning will be pursued following the anticipated end-of-May closing.
Infrastructure Projects
No marina, cell tower, water, or sewer infrastructure items were discussed in this meeting.
Other Business
Officers were elected for the coming term: Hylwa moved and Feringa seconded to elect Gail Hetler as Chair, Jared Pontius as Vice Chair, and Steve Feringa as Secretary; the motion carried 4-0.
The commission continued work on Master Plan priorities, completing ratings (high/medium/low priority and 1-, 3-, or 5-year timeframes) for Economic Development and Community Identity, finishing this task. Planner Kopriva will provide a finalized copy to members.
The 2024 Annual Report (VSB-2-24-56) was reviewed; Feringa moved and Hylwa seconded to forward it to Village Council for approval, carried 4-0.
Planner Kopriva presented proposed housekeeping zoning amendments covering setbacks, marihuana establishment language, on-street parking exemptions, parking requirements by district, spatial requirements, definitions, and a provision allowing property owners to initiate text amendments. Feringa moved, Campbell seconded, to schedule a public hearing for May 21, 2025 on these amendments; carried 4-0.
The Planning Commission special meeting minutes of November 13, 2024 were approved as presented (Hylwa moved, Feringa seconded, carried 4-0).
Zoning Administration Report was presented, with Patmore noting phone inquiries are increasing. No Village Council report was given, and the Zoning Board of Appeals did not meet.
Action Items
Planner Kopriva to provide commission members a finalized copy of the completed Master Plan priorities for Economic Development and Community Identity.
Public hearing scheduled for May 21, 2025 on housekeeping zoning amendments.
Peninsula Housing to host a community event regarding proposed use of the Herman Road property, ahead of anticipated end-of-May closing and rezoning request.
Next regular meeting set for May 21, 2025.