Master Plan Survey #9: Waterfront Use and Harbor Development

A primary goal of the City of Harbor Springs elected and appointed officials is to incorporate the values and priorities of City residents in the administration of City government. The Master Plan is an important tool toward that end. It is the document that guides all future land use decisions for the next twenty years, or more. To that end, the City has created a series of surveys that gauges the community’s thoughts on several Master Plan goals. Your input is greatly appreciated.

Survey #9 is related to the current Master Plan’s Goals #10 and #11:

"Residents and visitors will enjoy a vibrant waterfront area that is integrated into, and easily accessible from, adjacent districts and neighborhoods, and which provides users a meaningful opportunity to connect with Little Traverse Bay."

"Any harbor development or redevelopment will maintain open views to and from the water for the public to enjoy and support a sustainable level of human use."

Question Title

* 1. Please choose the answer that BEST describes you.

I'm a permanent, full time resident of the City of Harbor Springs

I'm a seasonal or part time resident of the City of Harbor Springs

I'm not a resident of Harbor Springs, but I own a business or pay taxes on property I own in the City

I'm not a resident or a taxpayer of the City, but I live in the Harbor Springs area

I visit or work in the City, but I am not a resident or taxpayer in the area

None of the above

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* 2. The majority of waterfront land ownership in Harbor Springs is privately owned. This is a combination of homes, commercial enterprises, and marinas. There are six publicly owned areas adjacent to Little Traverse Bay. How often do you use the following waterfront parks/public spaces?

	Very Often (2+ times a week)	Often (once a week)	Occasionally (once a month)	Rarely (a few times a year)	Never
Zorn Park Beach	Zorn Park Beach Very Often (2+ times a week)	Zorn Park Beach Often (once a week)	Zorn Park Beach Occasionally (once a month)	Zorn Park Beach Rarely (a few times a year)	Zorn Park Beach Never
City Marina Greenspace / Lakefront Park	City Marina Greenspace / Lakefront Park Very Often (2+ times a week)	City Marina Greenspace / Lakefront Park Often (once a week)	City Marina Greenspace / Lakefront Park Occasionally (once a month)	City Marina Greenspace / Lakefront Park Rarely (a few times a year)	City Marina Greenspace / Lakefront Park Never
Ford Park	Ford Park Very Often (2+ times a week)	Ford Park Often (once a week)	Ford Park Occasionally (once a month)	Ford Park Rarely (a few times a year)	Ford Park Never
Zoll Street Beach	Zoll Street Beach Very Often (2+ times a week)	Zoll Street Beach Often (once a week)	Zoll Street Beach Occasionally (once a month)	Zoll Street Beach Rarely (a few times a year)	Zoll Street Beach Never
Washington Street Access	Washington Street Access Very Often (2+ times a week)	Washington Street Access Often (once a week)	Washington Street Access Occasionally (once a month)	Washington Street Access Rarely (a few times a year)	Washington Street Access Never
Sneaky Beach	Sneaky Beach Very Often (2+ times a week)	Sneaky Beach Often (once a week)	Sneaky Beach Occasionally (once a month)	Sneaky Beach Rarely (a few times a year)	Sneaky Beach Never

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* 3. What seasons do you visit waterfront parks and public spaces? Check all that apply.

Summer

Autumn

Winter

Spring

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* 4. Do you support City efforts in expanding City owned property adjacent to Little Traverse Bay?

Yes

Not Sure

Other (please specify)

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* 5. Are views of the water an important element of your reason to visit or live in Harbor Springs?

Yes

Not Sure

Other (please specify)

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* 6. Do you feel you have reasonable view access to Little Traverse Bay?

Yes

Yes, but it could be better

Not sure / not applicable

Other (please specify)

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* 7. Do you feel you have reasonable physical access to Little Traverse Bay?

Yes

Yes, but it could be better

Not sure / not applicable

Comments

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* 8. How satisfied are you with the current waterfront development adjacent to Little Traverse Bay?

	Very Satisfied	Satisfied	Neutral	Unsatisfied	Very Unsatisfied
Public Areas	Public Areas Very Satisfied	Public Areas Satisfied	Public Areas Neutral	Public Areas Unsatisfied	Public Areas Very Unsatisfied
Residential Areas	Residential Areas Very Satisfied	Residential Areas Satisfied	Residential Areas Neutral	Residential Areas Unsatisfied	Residential Areas Very Unsatisfied
Commercial Areas	Commercial Areas Very Satisfied	Commercial Areas Satisfied	Commercial Areas Neutral	Commercial Areas Unsatisfied	Commercial Areas Very Unsatisfied

Comments

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* 9. Should community leaders invest more or less taxpayer money for improvements, maintenance, and increased services in the following public waterfront parks?

	More money	Less money	Same amount of money	I'm not sure
Ford Park	Ford Park More money	Ford Park Less money	Ford Park Same amount of money	Ford Park I'm not sure
Zorn Beach	Zorn Beach More money	Zorn Beach Less money	Zorn Beach Same amount of money	Zorn Beach I'm not sure
Zoll Street Beach	Zoll Street Beach More money	Zoll Street Beach Less money	Zoll Street Beach Same amount of money	Zoll Street Beach I'm not sure
Marina Park Greenspace / Lakefront Park	Marina Park Greenspace / Lakefront Park More money	Marina Park Greenspace / Lakefront Park Less money	Marina Park Greenspace / Lakefront Park Same amount of money	Marina Park Greenspace / Lakefront Park I'm not sure

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* 10. In 2020, Ford Park/Public Launch Site observed record numbers of visitors and users prompting community leaders to explore options to mitigate existing inefficiencies or deficiencies. In your opinion, what issues are most important?

	Most important	Important	Neutral/Uncertain	Not that important	Unimportant
Adding kayak racks	Adding kayak racks Most important	Adding kayak racks Important	Adding kayak racks Neutral/Uncertain	Adding kayak racks Not that important	Adding kayak racks Unimportant
Adding parking spaces	Adding parking spaces Most important	Adding parking spaces Important	Adding parking spaces Neutral/Uncertain	Adding parking spaces Not that important	Adding parking spaces Unimportant
Reducing parking spaces	Reducing parking spaces Most important	Reducing parking spaces Important	Reducing parking spaces Neutral/Uncertain	Reducing parking spaces Not that important	Reducing parking spaces Unimportant
Incorporating additional seating	Incorporating additional seating Most important	Incorporating additional seating Important	Incorporating additional seating Neutral/Uncertain	Incorporating additional seating Not that important	Incorporating additional seating Unimportant
Improving aesthetics	Improving aesthetics Most important	Improving aesthetics Important	Improving aesthetics Neutral/Uncertain	Improving aesthetics Not that important	Improving aesthetics Unimportant
Renovating the existing building	Renovating the existing building Most important	Renovating the existing building Important	Renovating the existing building Neutral/Uncertain	Renovating the existing building Not that important	Renovating the existing building Unimportant
Improving circulation and safety	Improving circulation and safety Most important	Improving circulation and safety Important	Improving circulation and safety Neutral/Uncertain	Improving circulation and safety Not that important	Improving circulation and safety Unimportant
Increasing vegetation (trees, bushes, flowers, etc.)	Increasing vegetation (trees, bushes, flowers, etc.) Most important	Increasing vegetation (trees, bushes, flowers, etc.) Important	Increasing vegetation (trees, bushes, flowers, etc.) Neutral/Uncertain	Increasing vegetation (trees, bushes, flowers, etc.) Not that important	Increasing vegetation (trees, bushes, flowers, etc.) Unimportant
Acquiring adjacent waterfront property	Acquiring adjacent waterfront property Most important	Acquiring adjacent waterfront property Important	Acquiring adjacent waterfront property Neutral/Uncertain	Acquiring adjacent waterfront property Not that important	Acquiring adjacent waterfront property Unimportant

Comments

Question Title

* 11. Vibrant waterfronts often incorporate activities that thrive year-round. In your opinion, what should the City do with Marina Park Greenspace? Check all that the City should consider further exploring.

Leave it as is (maintain grass / keep empty)

Add some landscaping (trees, bushes, flowers, etc.)

Build a shelter/gazebo

Create a concert/performance venue

Install a splash pad

Add other water features (such as a fountain)

Expand it into a permanent outdoor eating/drinking zone

Turn it into a mini nature preserve

I'm not sure / I don't care

Other (please specify)

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* 12. The Harbor Commission has noted a need for improvements to boater services and amenities, such as providing laundry facilities for boaters. Keeping in mind that improvements to the Harbormaster building would come from user (boater) fees, what should the City do with the existing Harbormaster building?

Remodel it

Remodel and expand it

Tear it down and build a newer one

Leave it as is

I don't know / I don't care

Other (please specify)

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* 13. Should the City allow commercial enterprises to operate on/from public waterfront parks? Check all that apply.

A. No, never

B. Yes, if the City or public benefits from the entity's presence (such as financial compensation)

C. Yes, unless there are safety concerns with the operation's presence.

D. Yes, so long as their operations don't interfere with the public's ability to use public space

E. B & C

F. B & D

G. C & D

H. B, C & D

I. Yes, under any circumstance

Other (please specify)