Residents press Port Huron for long-term master plan, park upgrades and clearer zoning rules

Port Huron — The City of Port Huron opened a public hearing on updates to its comprehensive master plan and heard multiple residents ask for long-range thinking, clearer zoning limits and neighborhood-focused park improvements.

“...when we look at this master plan and rewrite the master plan, we need to do it for our children and not for us,” said Bridal Farquhar, urging planners to avoid spot zoning and to consider a 20- to 30-year horizon.

Nut graf: Several speakers offered detailed suggestions for the master plan and city parks — from where dispensaries should be allowed to specific equipment and maintenance needs for neighborhood parks. The city also publicized two upcoming public forums in March to gather further input.

Public input highlights - Zoning and long-range planning: Bridal Farquhar urged the city to end spot zoning that puts commercial uses inside residential blocks and to plan 20–30 years ahead instead of a typical 5–10 year horizon. She also asked the city to specify where cannabis dispensaries would be allowed and to keep them away from schools and residences.

- Neighborhood traffic and parking: Judy Brush, a neighborhood watch captain, described summer congestion near Lakeside Beach, blocked driveways and narrow two-way streets; she said painting parking lines could improve driveway access and safety. She told council staff that James Freed had agreed to examine painting lines.

- Parks and recreation needs: Cecily Shoulders proposed significant upgrades to Knoxville Park to create a “model park” for the south side. Michelle Shagney praised recent recreation programming but recommended expanding Palmer Park’s ice rink, improving restroom access and adding benches, water refill stations and bike racks at Lighthouse Park and along Edison Parkway.

- Community services and zoning: Ashley White, founder of the Community University, said she is pursuing a community center at 1208 Tenth Street to serve young adults (ages about 16–26) leaving juvenile detention or incarceration. She asked the council or staff to help with zoning and parking limitations preventing her from opening in a commercial space that currently lacks sufficient off-street parking.

City process and next steps: Mayor Anita R. Ashford announced two public forums to gather neighborhood and housing input as part of the master-plan update: both advertised as “Tuesday, March, from 6PM to 8PM” with locations at Garfield School Library (1221 Garfield Street) and the Elder Harvey Reinvestment Center. (The meeting notice posted these date/time/location phrases as presented at the council meeting.)

What residents asked the city to do: Speakers chiefly asked the council to (1) put long-term, child-focused language into the master plan, (2) prevent spot zoning that inserts commercial uses inside neighborhoods, (3) clarify where dispensaries may locate, and (4) prioritize park renovations and basic maintenance (restroom availability, benches, water fountains, bicycle racks and clearer parking markings).

No formal votes were taken on the master plan at this meeting; the public hearing was opened and then closed after speakers provided input. Staff said comments would be reviewed as the city develops updates to the comprehensive plan.