[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6680043,"mediaKeyId","2324319-8df2156cc95be66e8ca67d5bd70da6bd","parentId",2324319,"title","Council Adopts 2025 Downtown Sidewalk and Dining-Deck Design Guidelines; Debate Continues on Deck Limits","audioSeconds",99,"startMs",921000,"endMs",1020000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324319-8df2156cc95be66e8ca67d5bd70da6bd&start=921&end=1020","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324319-8df2156cc95be66e8ca67d5bd70da6bd/thumbnail_921000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6680043/Petoskey-City/Emmet-County/Michigan/Council-Adopts-2025-Downtown-Sidewalk-and-Dining-Deck-Design-Guidelines-Debate-Continues-on-Deck-Limits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6680043-47ae2ccd1f219621281b5c7ebb6c0f51/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644976&Signature=P10U3tok7j-ip7PyBuxBVlh~-Nl3HRRM7liljfx-na2Zb50YmSE-zqEZJkhHbZNlGdVmn3URZcE8XQ-K2HAMrATHo3McZY9EnqVJ-Ux899tGsocv-4V3xwgR82JM7kI4QyYTWOO7j3jg6eTxL7sl5HhhFTKozkKgq~hDw4zHEUFb5sg6dyWnRUhilsf3uUPgQDjWwlqpS2SYdHKEd38-y8Cz-IJAzMmoCuiHYwv4jCRA3606Nd2N9E4E-fTOZaD7o~MrLFmXnefttTEJ4bA2SP3-nYJnZbDmUngl0HA7nY3AfJzDWwqby89Z9cEuvcXaeAB9MPjd6resiWKZ4PR8cA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Petoskey","date","2025-02-18T03:10:15.39Z","article","Petoskey City Council adopted a resolution approving updated 2025 design guidelines for downtown sidewalk furnishings and dining decks, following a presentation by downtown manager Amy Tweeden and discussion with the Downtown Management Board and the downtown design committee.

The guidelines add standards for dining-deck construction and furnishings: platforms must be composite or stained wood rather than untreated lumber, railings should be metal (aluminum, steel or cable), finishes should favor Petoskey's downtown green or black and exclude neon, fluorescent or iridescent colors, and dining decks must maintain a 48-inch minimum pedestrian clear zone. The draft also references crash-resistance standards and noted that Emmet County building permits and inspections apply to deck construction.

Council discussion focused on practical concerns: the downtown design committee previously recommended a cautious approach to limiting decks to protect the retail core and pedestrian flow, and some members asked whether a numerical cap should be imposed. Downtown management board members advised a more permissive stance if code requirements are met; the presented ordinance proposes an initial limit of five dining decks to allow the city to evaluate impacts before expanding.

Council voted 5-0 to adopt the design guidelines by resolution. The proposed ordinance to regulate dining decks and update the sidewalk-dining rules received a first reading; council did not take final action on the ordinance at this meeting and directed staff to return with details, including the option to set the number of decks by resolution to allow quicker future adjustments.

Public safety and building-code input was reported to have informed the draft language; council asked staff to provide additional specifics on how clearances, fixtures and crash-resistance requirements will be enforced in the permitting process.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting & Special ZBA Meeting - 02.17.25","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council approved updated 2025 design guidelines for downtown sidewalk furnishings and dining decks, adding requirements for materials, railings and pedestrian clearances; council debated but did not resolve a numeric cap on dining decks and held a first reading of a new ordinance on dining decks.","taxTitle","Petoskey City, Emmet County, Michigan","taxId",53868,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6680046,"Petoskey Council Unanimously Approves Renewable Energy Plan Filing; Members Ask for Clearer Implementation Roadmap",128,791000,919000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324319-8df2156cc95be66e8ca67d5bd70da6bd&start=791&end=919","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324319-8df2156cc95be66e8ca67d5bd70da6bd/thumbnail_791000.jpg","/articles/6680046/Petoskey-City/Emmet-County/Michigan/Petoskey-Council-Unanimously-Approves-Renewable-Energy-Plan-Filing-Members-Ask-for-Clearer-Implementation-Roadmap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6680046-a56acf557564f357eee159c9f533bfd1/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644976&Signature=TDBQwmU8Avg3VUQgDC9Nbyz2-11YzlyWD5JkwGR3ovjbPtHBRJTKoSgVngytLWftxQcqM4yT2SSUNhw1J07WHnauIDdyZCJPfBXSyVghhAaTlyqOsoQRWBp1UHceisF49cBAjOAiU1zmPBaJ4LtLwKap-5clcBLrcdP9UVeURfR3Q5i0CpZkr8Cf5tXh5NbzMQ7LO4Zhrpd6UWJXjtXn4r~M0mWJuFB5TC0nW0SzEtXO5xTu6uW6Oi2V-JNOo3glLeYE-ZEmOvBuAhAMHcdal0wQ9DqQ7n5iyiF7G3T87g5SM6ssBN9k9IWNRXx-8BIv~MOM~0xp6G1tlAefG1dJpA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Petoskey City Council unanimously approved submission of the city's 2025-2045 Renewable Energy Plan (REP) to the Michigan Public Service Commission, fulfilling a statutory requirement in Public Act 235. The resolution passed by roll call 5-0.

City staff and the Michigan Public Power Agency (MPPA) prepared the REP to demonstrate how the municipal utility expects to meet year-by-year renewable-energy compliance requirements through 2045. Shane Horn, city manager, and Jason Fader, public works director, told council MPPA drafted the MPSC spreadsheet using the city's data and that the plan is inherently subject to change because technology and market conditions evolve.

Staff noted Petoskey's plan is more aggressive than the state baseline: the city's target for 2030 is 70% renewable, compared with PA 235's 50% statutory target. The REP shows how the city expects to meet compliance using a mix of renewable energy credits tied to existing solar, wind and landfill-gas projects and planned new solar ownership allocations through MPPA.

Several councilmembers said they remain concerned about the absence of a detailed local implementation plan. \"A plan to me is like how you get to someplace,\" Councilmember Shields said, asking for clearer policy steps on local programs, incentives, or community engagement to achieve stated targets. Councilors discussed requests for ongoing reporting and additional information on local programs such as rooftop solar uptake, the City Hall array performance, and a potential landfill solar project.

City staff said REP filings are updated every two years and that MPPA will continue work to identify projects and ownership levels. After discussion, the council approved the REP submittal to the Michigan Public Service Commission by unanimous vote.","Council voted 5-0 to adopt and file the city's 2025-2045 Renewable Energy Plan with the Michigan Public Service Commission as required by Public Act 235; councilmembers pressed staff and MPPA for a more detailed, actionable plan to meet the targets.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6680051,"Council OKs MDNR Recreation Passport Grant Application for Riverbend Skate Park, Commits $150,000 Match",129,661000,790000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324319-8df2156cc95be66e8ca67d5bd70da6bd&start=661&end=790","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324319-8df2156cc95be66e8ca67d5bd70da6bd/thumbnail_661000.jpg","/articles/6680051/Petoskey-City/Emmet-County/Michigan/Council-OKs-MDNR-Recreation-Passport-Grant-Application-for-Riverbend-Skate-Park-Commits-150000-Match","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6680051-66271d7d4404e4a53f17b67defd3cf0d/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644976&Signature=S13tdiNQnE8YQJY-eSHcF7BZSUx2XouN8-xpmm8--oCcC9YcHZ6MS3rtBy~KGOLzL2cGn2SAcfaSG49cIO6Jt8Zito2ScMxu~rzl~rRoonX2IhTOs2KeK~d924VmqdZ5eVBvDKc8uFdBZ-dCvtnl1h9tKbszGt5G8JSUWrDBFA-rbL9bRUXdgSqbr6DNLNNR-nAQbkoMBaDmjKlLXxAFMBOvzfJUImtj3uQVK5Nl2zB6pwpUVa4eMvN35nvu6WccsfheOaed900WXUlE2jyA91fMw7-C49I~R8RxS4zssJafKTksIRO~awm3UaT7wkG0-J209J-~Mby3KEFjiiLLRA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Petoskey City Council voted to submit a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Recreation Passport grant application to replace worn skate-park equipment at Riverbend Park and committed $150,000 in matching funds, approving the resolution 4-1 after extended discussion.

Parks staff said the existing skate equipment is old, parts are no longer available from the original manufacturer, and the replacement was identified in the city's 2026 capital plan. Staff described a $300,000 project scope and said the passport grant process is typically faster than other grant programs; staff planned to engage the local skateboarding community on design.

Councilmembers expressed differing views before the vote. Councilmember Shields and others supported the application; Shields noted concerns about rising costs on past projects but said the city can scale the work if bids change. Councilmember Moore and others asked for more detailed design documents before committing council funds. \"I'm struggling with the fact that... we're getting the grant before we know what the project is,\" Moore said, citing the Winter Sports Pavilion experience and the risk of committing substantial local funds without final design.

Staff replied that the $150,000 match is identified in the 2026 capital improvement plan and that if the grant is not awarded the city still retains the identified local investment to make some improvements. The application deadline was identified as April 1 and the grant award typically recommended by the state by late summer or early fall.

After debate, the motion to authorize submission of the MDNR Recreation Passport grant and to commit $150,000 in matching funds passed 4-1. Council directed staff to provide the design concept and a project quote as the process moves forward.","City council voted 4-1 to authorize submission of a Michigan DNR Recreation Passport grant to replace Riverbend Park skate-park equipment and committed $150,000 in matching funds; some council members sought clearer design details before committing funds.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6680055,"Neighbors, Former ZBA Chair Say 500 Rose Street Construction Exceeds Approved Variance",321,248000,569000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2324319-8df2156cc95be66e8ca67d5bd70da6bd&start=248&end=569","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2324319-8df2156cc95be66e8ca67d5bd70da6bd/thumbnail_248000.jpg","/articles/6680055/Petoskey-City/Emmet-County/Michigan/Neighbors-Former-ZBA-Chair-Say-500-Rose-Street-Construction-Exceeds-Approved-Variance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6680055-3a2976f45fb5b9b30ce63124676eabaa/orig.mp4?Expires=1773644976&Signature=EkG36x3szVR-yER-1OQaFZK0E~fhtVIbma5TpQZSm6HjkH8w65tvJwV3tAZ7IXQh-7RltJMtBg02ouxJS0ca5QPeBE-HeW1EMJqHRwsPp-UfZ4y-Xqg1FTB2x4h7MxQJIGs6sNuhZQ4ip1l2y4X7XU1s3WPYEOwSFzOpAhhNClxpCRTuLLUcRYted~d2rxNiWY8KRxPiXrbheGt-YrbqM-SPnkiFlpUfhIkEjG3P8AyxD6E3Oklvo~Mf3-7lYuBwwYqGEcp0EfZfS2lMSl~evmAoRntTTLOBJttq1pE-WInF1F-smOovr5-2ObyThal-HizTL-IzOV1KZHSvTqOnvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Laurie Paul, a former chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals, and nearby residents told the Petoskey City Council and Zoning Board of Appeals that construction at 500 Rose Street appears to exceed the scope of a variance granted in June 2023.

Paul said the ZBA's motion at the June 2023 meeting authorized reconstruction \"to replace as closely to the original structure as possible,\" including a height variance intended to match the previous home, not to enable additional stories. \"It was not a blanket 8-foot height variance,\" Paul said, and she said board members and the applicant left the meeting believing the replacement would match the earlier building.

Paul told council that under the zoning ordinance an applicant has one year from the board's decision to obtain a building permit and break ground; she said the permit was not taken out until Sept. 24, 2024, after the June 5, 2024 one-year window had expired. \"Consequently, the applicant must come back to the ZBA to request a new variance,\" she said. Paul asked the ZBA to investigate the matter at its March meeting and recommended adopting new procedures to avoid similar cases.

A neighbor who identified himself as Tom and said he lives at 110 William Street told the boards he submitted formal complaints and before-and-after photos showing the new structure appears \"between 6 and 10 feet taller than the original house.\" He said the added height has materially changed sight lines and neighborhood impacts.

City staff and ZBA members did not announce a formal decision during the public-comment portion recorded in the transcript. The ZBA later moved into a closed session on attorney-client privileged material under MCL 15.268(1)(h); that closed session was procedural and the public comment record remains part of the public meeting record.

Council and ZBA members who spoke in the recorded exchange did not make new rulings on the Rose Street property during the public comment period. Paul urged the ZBA to review the minutes and materials from the June 2023 hearing to confirm the board's findings of fact and to determine whether the current construction aligns with the variance that was granted.","Residents and the former Zoning Board of Appeals chair told council and the ZBA that work at 500 Rose Street departs from the variance granted in June 2023 and that the variance lapsed before construction began.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council Adopts 2025 Downtown Sidewalk and Dining-Deck Design Guidelines; Debate Continues on Deck Limits

Petoskey Council Unanimously Approves Renewable Energy Plan Filing; Members Ask for Clearer Implementation Roadmap

Council OKs MDNR Recreation Passport Grant Application for Riverbend Skate Park, Commits $150,000 Match

Neighbors, Former ZBA Chair Say 500 Rose Street Construction Exceeds Approved Variance