Summary
The Suttons Bay Village Planning Commission met September 17, 2025 to continue work on Master Plan priorities, review a zoning report for gateway districts, and consider a zoning text amendment request from Suttons Bay Congregational Church regarding accessory dwelling units (ADUs). No formal votes were recorded in the agenda materials; several items were referred for further study.
Public Comments
Commission member Richard (rlhylwa@aol.com) submitted written comments recapping the North and South Gateway zoning review. He suggested adding "animal clinic or hospital" as a special land use (SLU) alongside child care centers in both gateways, questioned duplication between restaurant/brewery/distillery listings under Accommodations versus Industrial and Manufacturing, questioned why "multi-family" is listed separately from single/two-family housing, and flagged an inconsistency where hotels/motels are not permitted yet parking standards reference "one space per hotel room." He also warned that requiring "consistent architectural design" across both gateways could be challenged by homeowners in the future, and cautioned against regulatory "overkill."
Three written letters of support were submitted for a proposed ADU ordinance amendment: Charlie J. Bumb (President, Leelanau Christian Neighbors Board), Rebekah TenBrink (Executive Director, LIFT Teen Center & Friendship Community Center), and Fred Sitkins (Executive Director, Inland Seas Education Association). All voiced support for expanding affordable housing options in the Village.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Suttons Bay Congregational Church (Parsonage Task Force) submitted a formal request to amend Zoning Ordinance Section 9-2, Item C, to allow a nonprofit-owned parcel to host an ADU without owner occupancy. The church has provided subsidized parsonage housing since 2006 to resident Maiah Ku Vang and her five children and wishes to add an ADU to house another family. Zoning Administrator Steve Patmore presented the request along with three supporting letters and noted the PC could either study the request as part of ongoing Master Plan housing work or require a formal application. No decision was recorded in the materials.
Other Business
Beckett & Raeder planner Sara Kopriva (AICP) provided an updated Master Plan Action Item list covering housing, natural resources, transportation, community identity, and economic development priorities, and asked the Commission to finalize outstanding changes. She noted the proposed PUD amendment discussion is being held pending further review with the Village Manager. The Zoning Report for July/August 2025 showed 1 new land use permit issued in that period (Total LUP 25-011) and 11 permits year-to-date. The Zoning Board of Appeals denied a dimensional variance request for 379 S. Shore Dr. on July 9 after findings of fact. Staff also reported ongoing enforcement letters (ADU, banners, stairway construction), a preliminary site plan review for Inland Seas, and a request to extend land use permits for Harbor Heights.
Action Items
- Planning Commission to decide whether to study or require formal application for the Suttons Bay Congregational Church ADU text amendment (Section 9-2, Item C).
- Commission to incorporate Richard's gateway zoning comments into ongoing Master Plan review.
- Beckett & Raeder to finalize the Master Plan Action Item list pending Commission input.
- PUD amendment discussion tabled for future consideration.