Summary
The Suttons Bay Village Planning Commission met May 21, 2025, with Chairperson Hetler presiding. The commission approved zoning ordinance text amendments to recommend to Village Council, reviewed the Master Plan priority checklist, and heard updates on water rates and affordable housing interest. Feringa, Pontius, Hetler, D. Smith, and Campbell were present; F. Smith and Hylwa were absent.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered during the New Business public hearing on zoning amendments, which Chair Hetler opened and closed at 5:03 p.m. The commission received written communication in the form of a Notice of Intent from Leelanau County regarding preparation of an amendment to the Leelanau County General Plan; no discussion or response was recorded beyond acknowledging receipt.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Under Good of the Order, D. Smith stated she would like to make affordable housing a priority for the commission. She noted Peninsula Housing will host a public event to gauge community input, and mentioned that a property purchase at the school site would provide access to water and sewer. This was raised as a suggestion by Smith; no formal action or vote was taken.
Infrastructure Projects
The Village Council Report noted that water rates will be increasing in the village. No further detail, figures, or votes were provided.
Other Business
The agenda and April 16, 2025 minutes were approved (the latter amended to correct a misspelling of Feringa's name noted by Feringa); both votes carried 5-0. The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet next month to hear an application for a dimensional variance in the single-family waterfront district. Planner Kopriva cautioned commissioners against commenting on pending applications and against ex-parte contact with applicants, directing that any applicant contact be forwarded to Village staff.
Action Items
- S. Feringa moved, D. Smith seconded, and the commission voted 5-0 to recommend the Village Council adopt the zoning text amendments as presented.
- Chair Hetler suggested that a future discussion item address the lack of language requiring Hotel/B&B uses in the central business district to provide employee parking (raised by J. Pontius).
- Staff to send commission members a reminder in two weeks to review the Master Plan priority checklist and identify short-term ("low hanging fruit") versus long-term priorities, reorganized by topic and by zoning district.
- Next regular meeting scheduled for June 18, 2025.