Residents Ask: Was the Charrette a Charade?
A report on the October 15, 2026, regular council meeting.
Planning & Zoning
‘What Constitutes a Hole?’
A public hearing that most attendees expected to be a cakewalk turned into 90-minute Cordon Bleu pastry class by the Village attorney. Many of her changes will be made and the public hearing will continue November 4. Look for an updated draft of the zoning ordinance in a week or so.
Diana Trivia: Elberta at a Crossroads Again With a New Developer
On Day 1 of the community design charrette for the Elberta Commons project on the Betsie Bay waterfront, Brooke Ruble, the director of management and marketing for Artemis Companies, took time to answer some Alert questions.
Sound System
A report on the rescheduled August regular council meeting of Wednesday, September 2, 2026. The zoning ordinance public hearing set for 9/21 (tomorrow) is now on 10/7! Scroll down for more info, plus the Elberta Commons Charrette schedule. (True September meeting report to follow soonish.)
Council Releases Audit, Resolves to Be the Decider on the Master Plan, and Hires a Firm to Ease Functions Within BS&A — Plus a Sprinkling of Ferry Dust
Take a Breather
A report on the July 16, 2026, regular council meeting. Plus a sneak preview of where the Betsie Valley Trail might go through the new development to E Beach, and a link to the live Elberta Commons Community Survey
Elberta Commons Update
Per a postcard handed out to members of the Parks & Rec Commission at their July 9 meeting, the first charrette will be held September 22–24, with some preliminary activities you can sign up for online, though it’s unclear how exactly.
The Shortest Bumps That Are Not Humps
A report on the June 18, 2026, regular council meeting
Good Fencing
On May 6, the Planning Commission answered public questions, heard comments, and (after some further parsing) voted to adopt the new zoning ordinance and pass it on to the Village Council.
Alert Reader
The first letter to the editor of the Alert’s Substack era
Curb Enthusiasm
A report on the March 4, 2026, planning commission meeting
Magic Numbers
A report on the February 19, 2026, budget hearing and council meeting