New zoning code expected to cut front-yard variance requests; commission previewed March side-yard setback case

Commission staff told the Harbor Springs Planning Commission that changes in the new zoning code should sharply reduce the number of front-yard setback variance requests the panel sees.

“We incorporated something in the new code specifically to take that into consideration and address the standard that you guys created,” the staff member said, adding that the change should produce “a greatly reduced need for front yard setback variances.” Commissioners noted Harbor Springs has many properties that predate formal zoning, so nonconforming conditions will persist and some variance requests will still come forward. Members emphasized that any future requests should be evaluated carefully under the code’s practical-difficulty standard.

Staff also previewed a case likely to appear at the commission’s March meeting: a downtown property owner intends to build an addition to an existing house that currently does not meet the side-yard setback; the proposed addition would match the existing house but require a variance. “There’s a property downtown that they have an existing home they want to build an addition on to it and the existing home there doesn't meet the sideyard setback,” staff said. The staff member said the commission will receive notice in the paper and that plans will be distributed to commissioners when available.

The commission did not take formal action on this matter during the session; staff framed it as a forthcoming agenda item and described the notice and plan-distribution process.