Redevelopment Ready Communities Program — What Is It?

What is it?

The Redevelopment Ready Communities (RRC) Program is a state-wide certification program that supports communities to become development ready and competitive. It encourages communities to adopt innovative redevelopment strategies and efficient processes which build confidence among businesses and developers. Through the RRC program, local municipalities receive assistance in establishing a solid foundation for development to occur in their communities – making them more attractive for investments that create places where people want to live, work and play.

Why is the City involved?

There are two main reasons Harbor Springs is participating in the RRC process. 

1. Being engaged in the RRC program allows the City to apply for certain State grants. The City is making efforts to diversify its revenue streams, and grants are one of a few funding tools available to the City to financially support City projects and operations. The City does not have to accept any grants from the State if it finds the grant conditions unfavorable to the City. The City has indeed rejected grants before because of unfavorable grant conditions. However, we have accepted other grants. The more options we have to fund City business, the less financial pressure on City taxpayers to sustain City operations and infrastructure.
2. The RRC process is helping the City government become more efficient, transparent, communicative and accessible. Whether or not the City applies or receives grants due to being involved in the RRC program, we are developing processes that allow government to better serve the community, and we are also examining are current practices and processes for improvements.

What does the RRC program require the City to do?

1. Planning: Adopt a Master Plan, Downtown Plan, Capital Improvements Plan, and a Public Participation Plan. The City had the first three before engaging in the RRC. Through the RRC process we created a Public Participation Plan.
2. Zoning: Align the Zoning Code with the Master Plan; ensure the Zoning Code is user friendly and accessible; ensure development is concentrated in appropriate places; allow for a variety of housing options; include flexible parking requirements; and include standards for green infrastructure. The City’s Zoning Code already contains most of these provisions.
3. Development Review: The development review process is clear and has a staff member that coordinates the process; offer applicants conceptual meetings before applying for development review; create a clearly defined internal review process; streamline approval process by allowing for both zoning administrator and planning commission review; maintain a fee schedule; offer clear methods of payment; make development review information available online; implement a method to track development projects; and solicit community feedback about the development review process.
4. Boards and Commissions: Have a clear appointment process; set expectations for board and commission members; provide orientation materials for new board members; implement bylaws for each board and commission; issue an annual planning commission report; create a documented training strategy for board and commission members; and hold joint board meetings.
5. Economic Development: Create an economic development strategy; adopt policies to guide economic development incentives; and create a marketing plan.
6. Redevelopment Sites: Identify and prioritize redevelopment sites; gather basic information for three such sites; develop a vision for those three sites; identify resources and incentives for those sites; assemble a property information package for one of those sites; and market those priority sites.

But does the City need to be “redeveloped”?

No. This program does not aim to redevelop the City. Rather, it will help the City redevelop certain properties in the future. There may be certain properties (private or public) that need assistance in keeping or attracting development that the City needs or wants. Any development or redevelopment must obtain Planning Commission approval and be authorized by the City’s Zoning Code. This does not invite just any type of development into the City; rather, it will make it easier for the City to review and approve the type of development it needs and wants. 

Further, the economy is unpredictable sometimes. Harbor Springs has seen vibrant periods and downturns. It is best to be prepared to confront economic downturns with as many tools as possible. RRC certification is just one of many tools that the City can utilize in the future. In the meantime, simply being engaged in the program is improving the City’s processes and practices so the City can better serve its constituents.

If you want to learn more, please contact Victor at citymgr@cityofharborsprings.com or (231) 526-2104.