Many Thanks to the Planning Commission
Last night was the last Planning Commission meeting for the Chair, Bill Mulder. If you have followed along these last few years, Bill has led a resilient, professional and thoughtful Commission.
They listened, even when the voices were harsh. They have found ways forward, even when obstacles were placed in their way. They have represented the best of citizen public service. They rose to each challenge, on every occasion, and their perseverance was engendered and encouraged by Bill.
We are better as a community because of his service. I am better because he is a friend.
In early weeks of the New Year, we will look to the City Council to pass the updates to the zoning code developed through the hard work of our resident volunteers.
As a reminder, nearly 1,750 hours, throughout all four seasons, five town halls, 10 open houses, an online survey, 23 open Commission meetings reviewed every single word of our zoning code.
The result is a proposed update to the zoning code that preserves the property rights of homeowners and the charm of Harbor Springs.
After the holidays we can talk about all the commonsense improvements the update will make to our zoning code. But today, I hope we can take a moment to celebrate and sincerely thank the Planning Commission for their tireless work in service to Harbor Springs.
I wonder, in the whole history of Michigan, if more money has ever been spent to influence such a small group of volunteers in their efforts to make such relatively modest updates to a local zoning code. We can talk about that more in the New Year as well.
I only point it out to highlight just how hard the work of the Planning Commission has been and how well they have done under tremendous pressure.
Many of you know, I was born and raised in Kansas City. Out on the plains we have storms that are different than up North. The heat builds on summer days and the skies can get quite angry with lightning and thunder. It is on those plains that the American Bison (we call them Buffalo) once ruled. Herds in the tens of thousands used to create their own thunder as they roamed their home on the range.
Buffalo are unique among all herd animals when a storm is on the horizon. Domestic cattle, for instance, run away from storms. As the storm overtakes them, they continue to walk with the clouds. In doing so, they prolong their time in the wind and rain.
The mighty buffalo, do something different. Passed down over the millennia, their instinct tells them to turn and walk into the storm. In their wisdom, they spend less time in the rain by walking through it as it passes over them.
So, today, I want to cheer the Planning Commission, and their Chair, who not only turned to faced the oncoming storm but, together, made it through to the other side. You are strong, wise and determined neighbors. You have our sincere thanks.