City-Wide Garage Sale

The Sylvan Lake Home and Garden Tour Committee is again holding the City wide garage sale on May 24th, 25th, and 26th. A permit fee of $20.00 will cover the cost for ads in the Oakland Press and the Eccentric newspaper, garage sale signs on Orchard Lake Road, and the list of participants� addresses at City Hall and the Sylvan Market. The application deadline is May 18^th. All proceeds will go toward the Community Center project.

A box is set up on the counter of City Hall. You may simply fill in the information on one of the envelopes provided, place your check or cash in the envelope and place the envelope in the box. A garage sale permit will be delivered to you prior to the event.  If you have questions, please call Molly Rozycki at 248-681-7630, or Char Gamble at 248-681-3724 (do not call City Hall).

Memorial Day Parade Planning

It's not too soon to start planning for the annual Memorial Day Parade! Meetings will be the first Thursday of each month (February through May) at 6:00 p.m. at Gino's on Cass Lake Road.  If you have any questions or suggestions, please call Mel Hagar at 248-875-9773.

The parade is scheduled for Monday, May 28th. We are looking for groups and organizations such as girl scouts, boy scouts, cub scouts, etc. that are interested in the parade. Please contact Jim Bull at 681-3053 and we will have a spot for you and your group. Also, we are looking for two volunteers to dress as Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty. We have the costumes.

Plant Exchange

The Sylvan Lake Garden Club is hosting another city-wide plant exchange at Memorial Park on Saturday, June 9th. Exact times and a rain date have not been determined. Please check the newsletter next month for more information. People who bring plants that are not exchanged could plant them at the park. So as you prepare your garden this year, save your surplus perennials and trade them with your neighbors.

Home and Garden Tour

Don�t miss the 4th annual Home and Garden Tour June 16th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Those with any questions about tickets should call Debby Leh at 248-681-8624 or Judy Schwanitz at 248-681-2750.

For the 2007 Home and Garden Tour, the tour committee would like to add more gardens. The committee has no specific requirements for the gardens as long as they are pleasant places to be. Some homes and gardens have already been chosen. Residents who know of any gardens that would be a good addition to the tour should call Judy Schwanitz.

*If you are interested in being a docent (guide) for the 2007 Home and Garden Tour, please call Liz Zubrzycki at 248-738-1192 (home) or at 248-417-1106 (cell).

Sylvan Lake Fireworks

The Oakland County Boat Club again is sponsoring the annual fireworks display on Tuesday, July 3rd with a rain date of Saturday, July 7th.

Park Cleanup

Another annual park cleanup is being scheduled. Watch next months newsletter or a special News Byte for more information.

Clinton River Trail

There have been several people that have been using the trail all winter. Now that Spring is here, the trail use will increase. Mike Schwanitz has been volunteering his time for the last couple years patrolling the trail from Orchard Lake Road to Inverness picking up trash and making sure everything is OK. We certainly appreciate your willingness to help. If someone would like to help Mike by policing another part of the trail, that would be great! Please call City Hall if you are interested.

Sharon Hughes donated and planted several flowers, bulbs, plants and bushes last year. Sharon has volunteered to be the point person for people wanting to donate items to plant on the trail. Of course she would appreciate help in planting them, but she is willing to get it done if she needs to. If anyone is willing to donate plants, splittings, small trees, bushes, etc. It would be very nice if there were spring-blooming bulbs and flowers that would attract butterflies or hummingbirds. If you have something you would like to donate, please call Sharon at 248-681-5557, or email her at Slynnhughes@netzero.net.   Or you can leave small items on her porch at 1455 Glenwood. Of course larger trees or bushes would require help in moving and planting, so contact her first.

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News/Announcements

Purchase Some Trees!

When the MDNR was contacted after the last newsletter went out, we found out the ROOT program did not have any trees left for sale. They directed us to "Global Releaf" of Michigan. This is a non-profit organization and there is an order form and additional information in the website.

Dogs in the Parks

At the March City Council meeting, it was approved to allow leashed dogs at the Community Center Park east of Pontiac Drive. That is the side of Pontiac Drive toward the Community Center, not the side toward the lake and boat docks. This is the only park where dogs will be allowed. Dogs must be on a leash that is no more than 10 feet long and being held by the owner/walker. The dog must also be picked up after. These same rules apply to dogs being walked anywhere in the City. The police will be issuing tickets for unleashed dogs, not cleaning up after the dog, and unlicensed dogs. The penalty for violating this ordinance is a misdemeanor with a minimum fine of $150.

     *Be considerate and throw dog waste into the trash, not your neighbor's yard.

Of course, the person walking the dog must be a Sylvan Lake resident with a park tag to use any park.

Planning Commission to hold a Public Hearing

The Planning Commission meeting and public hearing will be a week later on April 10th in the Sylvan Lutheran Church. The public hearing will begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be immediately followed by the regular meeting. The public hearing will be for receiving public input on the revised Master Plan.

At the regular meeting will be a recommendation to City Council to adopt the proposed Master Plan. There will also be continued discussion and a possible recommendation to City Council on the proposed changes to the zoning map and ordinance text. The proposed changes would affect several business properties on Orchard Lake Road. The changes are the first step toward incorporating the ideas in the Master Plan. The owner of the JRE Tire store, 2635 Orchard Lake Road, is requesting that the property be rezoned from I-1 Limited Industrial to C-1 Neighborhood Commercial. This will allow a retail store to open at that location.

Planning Commission Recording Secretary

After 20 years as recording secretary, Maxine Davison is retiring. This is a paid position with a recorder provided. Meetings are only once a month (the first Tuesday of each month, unless noted otherwise). Please call City Hall if you are interested. Maxine has done an outstanding job and had the best attendance record of any Planning Commissioner. She will be greatly missed.

Click here for the Sylvan Lake proposed zoning map.

Click here for the proposed text amendments.

City Council Meeting

The City Council meeting will be on April 11^th at 7:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church, 2399 Figa. Tentatively on the regular agenda will be an update on the Community Center project and the approval of proposed changes to the zoning map and ordinance text (see Planning Commission above).

School Election

On Tuesday, May 8th, residents can vote to elect candidates for the Pontiac and West Bloomfield school boards. Monday, April 9th, is the last day to register to vote. You only need to register if you are not already a registered voter in Sylvan Lake. City Hall will be open Saturday, May 5th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to handout absentee ballots (only).

Leaf Collection

This is a reminder that there is no spring leaf collection this year. To dispose of your leaves, please put them out for collection as yard waste (see below).

Yard Waste Program

The Yard Waste program will begin on April 4th. Yard waste will be picked up on the same day (Wednesday) as your trash, but in a separate yard waste truck. Pick-up is on a weekly basis. Please place your trash and yard waste a few feet away from each other for pick-up so it can be easily seen.

Yard waste includes:

cut grass,

leaves,

cut weeds,

shrub trimmings,

brush,

twigs,

small branches,

sod, and similar items.

Yard waste will only be accepted in brown paper yard waste bags (from retail stores) or trash cans clearly marked YARD WASTE or COMPOST. Yard waste stickers are available at no charge at City Hall.

Small branches (three inches in diameter or smaller) will be accepted if they are securely tied in manageable bundles no longer than four feet.

Yard waste in any type of plastic bag will not be accepted!

Yard waste may not be placed at the street any earlier than 5:00 p.m. the night before collection day.

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Community Center Committee

The Community Center Committee continues it's work on the Community Center Plan.  They generally meet each Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. in the Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church. The time and day are subject to change due to the individual members' schedules. If you are interested in attending, we suggest you call City Hall prior to the meeting for the exact time.

Community Center Update

Preliminary plans have been drawn, reviewed, changed, and redrawn several times. The ultimate goal of the committee is to present City Council with a plan that will be of the most benefit for the residents while keeping the cost within the budget. Currently, the committee is looking at a structure that is approximately 3,000 square feet, on a slab, with an attached covered pavilion area of approximately 850 square feet. The final design may change depending on accurate construction estimates.

From The Police Chief

Please be aware that the police officers are being very strict on enforcing the traffic laws in the City. For everyone's safety, please make sure you follow the speed limit, come to a full and complete stop at all stop signs, and always be aware of residents of all ages jogging or walking.

This is a reminder for residents to call in with any ordinance violations you may see. An ordinance hotline has been created for residents to call. You do not have to identify yourself, but we need you to provide an address and description of the problem. Call 248-682-1440 extension 6 after hours. If you have solicitors in your area or that come to your door, or if you see a suspicious person, contact the police immediately by calling 248-681-1911. That will go directly to the West Bloomfield dispatch, day or night, and they will have a Sylvan Lake police officer respond to your call.

Code Enforcement

There will be violation notices and tickets given to anyone violating the City's ordinances. This includes common violations such as:

Dogs in the Parks or unleashed

junk cars,

storage of garbage cans (cannot be visible from the street),

incorrect storage of RV's,

illegal parking on the road or in the front yard,

rocks in the road right-of-way, and

missing addresses on your homes.

Police Department

The police department is reminding you to keep your cars, garages, and homes locked.  There have been no recently reported incidents, but be sure to take precautionary measures.

The Police Department will be receiving their new Dodge Charger soon. The Chief is asking residents to call 248-682-1440, ext. 2 after 4:30 p.m. with any suggestions for decals to put on the car.

NO VEHICLES ON THE GRASS!!

Do Not drive your vehicles into any of the parks to pull out or put in boat lifts or docks, or for any other reason. This has been a constant problem and ruins the grass and creates ruts. Failure to comply will result in a citation and the cost being charged to you to repair park property.

No Open Burning

The fire code and our ordinance do not allow open burning. This includes outdoor, above-ground fire pits and �chimineas.� The only outdoor fires allowed are barbecue grills. You can be ticketed if you are found using anything else.

Bocce Ball

Get ready for next year! If you are interested in organizing a league for a second night of the week, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday are available. Mike Grasser will help you get the organization process started. If you have any questions, contact Mike at 248-681-9022 or 248-505-4744.

Meals On Wheels

The Meals On Wheels Program is now available at the Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church (2333 Figa, West Bloomfield). Noon-time meals will be hosted for community seniors who are 60 years of age or older. Meals will be served from noon to 1:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday (no holidays). Remember, meals are served at the church. They are not delivered to individual homes.

A donation of $3.50 per meal is requested to help eliminate the cost of this service for all seniors over 60 years of age. Meals are available to anyone under age 60 at a charge of $6.00 per meal. Tell your neighbors to come along and bring a friend!

*For questions, please call the Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church at 248-682-0770, or Jim Lang at 248-738-9393. Click here for more.

Boat Dock Renewal

The applications for the boat dock renewals have already been sent out. The renewal fee is $365, and this covers your park registration, ramp key, and park and sports tags. As a reminder for some of the requirements, they are:

At least one watercraft at each dock space must be owned by the dock space holder.

You must have proof of PL and PD insurance for the dock and all water craft that will be placed in the dock space. Proof must be submitted with the application.

The deadline for submitting a dock license application and all information is March 1st. If we do not receive your application by then, you can lose your space.

Dock/Marina Permit

The City is working very hard on obtaining a permit for the installation of docks in the same fashion we have done for many years. While we are working on this project, the MDEQ (Michigan Department of Environmental Quality) is allowing the City to operate for this summer the same as we have in the past.

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Rubbish Collection

As you have probably noticed, Richfield Equities start early and are finished early, so make sure your trash is out no later than 7:00 a.m. You can continue to set out bulk items, but you will need to call the hauler for a special pick-up.

CDBG Liaison

City Council is looking for someone to explain the Community Center Development Block Grant program to seniors and those with a low to low/moderate income. The 2007 Community Development Block Grant program was approved last month. The City proposes to spend $4,000 on a Yard Service Program, $3,600 on a Minor Home Repair program, and $400 on administration. The Yard Service and Home Repair programs are designed to assist senior and low-income residents with the maintenance of their homes. If you are interested, please send a letter to City Hall.

Building Permits

Building permits must be obtained if you are going to do any repairs, remodeling, renovating, building, plumbing, or electrical work on your home. Always check with City Hall before starting any project. Permits are also required for any improvements made in the road right-of-way. A zoning permit is required for fences, driveways, parking areas, etc.

Foreclosures in Oakland County

Foreclosures are a growing concern for all of us. Foreclosures adversely affect families, neighborhoods, and the business community. Oakland County is educating people who may be delinquent with mortgage payments or are facing foreclosure about available intervention resources and self-help steps. Reaching the people who need help before it is too late is difficult. Therefore, the Citizens Advisory Council for Community & Home Improvement recommends that each community insert the attached article (or a portion) in local community newsletters or put this on you cable station to let citizens know that help is available through free housing counseling services. If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Karry Reith at 248-858-5403. Click here.

Recycling

Only 10 percent of Sylvan Lake residents recycle. Recycling is included as a part of your normal trash collection. Bins are available at City Hall. It is not necessary to use their recycling bin. Your first recycling bin is free, but if you like more, they are $10 each.

You can use a plastic "storage" type container or a cardboard box.

Make sure it is marked RECYCLING so the contents are not disposed with the regular trash.

Newspapers, magazines, and ads should be tied securely with a string or placed in a brown paper bag.

Telephone books do not have to be bundled.

Plastic jugs, bottles, glass bottles, and jars must be washed out.

Only bottles marked with a 1 or 2 on the bottom will be accepted.

Metal cans need to be clean and the label must be removed.

If any recycling is dirty, it will be thrown out with the regular trash.

Click here to view a flier for RESIDENTIAL HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE and ELECTRONIC RECYCLING.

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Road Right-Of-Way

Rocks, boulders, and reflectors are not allowed in the road right-of-way (ROW). This means that all above-grade rocks (other than gravel) and reflectors that are closer than eight from the edge of the street must be removed. Any of these items found in the ROW will be picked up by the City. If the rocks are too large to remove easily, a violation notice will be issued and it will be the responsibility of the homeowner to remove them.

What is a variance? Click to read about the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA), how the appeal process works, and how the ZBA tries to relieve property owners from ordinances uniquely affecting them.

CLICK HERE TO SEE SEMCOG'S QUARTERLY PUBLICATION, SEMSCOPE!!

Stormwater Education

The Michigan Department of Transportation has new stormwater education and outreach materials. Some items that are listed for other Phase II permit holders are:

PDF files of all educational materials

Stormwater Game (Jeopardy-style)

Illicit Discharge interactive demonstration

MDOT's recently updated SESC material

Soil erosion animation covering the six minimum measures

See their website and soil erosion animation!

CRWC

The Clinton River Watershed Council (CRWC) is a non-profit organization to help protect and improve the health of the Clinton River. The CRWC also wants to assure that the river's natural, economical, and recreational attributes enhance the quality of life for those who are directly affected by it. The CRWC is made up of four full-time and two part-time staff along with a 15-member board of directors. They provide programs in areas of watershed management, such as Stream Leaders, Adopt-A-Stream, River Day, and Clinton Clean-Up Programs. The Clinton River, as some may know, runs through Sylvan Lake. Click here to learn how the CRWC has such an impact on Sylvan Lake.

Consider becoming a CRWC Adopt-A-Stream volunteer!!

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Join the Garden Club

The Sylvan Lake Garden Club was organized in 1939 and has been meeting ever since. Activities include putting on the Ice Cream Social, organizing the Plant Exchange, and working in Memorial Park. This year, several members participated in the garlic mustard pull for the Michigan Nature Association in Davisburg. The meetings feature field trips, speakers, and idea exchanges among members. Some members are very experienced gardeners and others are novices. The club meets on the third Thursday of every month, typically around 1:00 p.m. Members who cannot attend the meetings can still take part in many activities. Anyone interested in joining should call Helen McAllister at 248-682-1082 or email her at helenmcallister@sbcglobal.net.

Clinton River Trail Website

The old railroad that is now a trail that goes through Sylvan Lake is part of the Clinton River Trail system. For all of you trail users and enthusiasts, the Clinton River Trail's website is full of news and updated features. It is updated by the Friends of Clinton River Trail (FCRT). Thanks to John Hensler, and FCRT member, the website is getting better and better. For any words of appreciation or any suggestions, please contact John at john@sunkenanchor.com



West Bloomfield Library

This library has been ranked one of the top 100 public libraries in the United States. The main branch is located at 4600 Walnut Lake Road. Another branch is Westacres located at 7321 Commerce Road. Feel free to look at their on line programs and services, computer terminals, audio books, and videos. There is no charge for this service. Just provide your driver's license or state I.D. number.

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLE ISLAND TOURS FROM THE GREATER WEST BLOOMFIELD HISTORICAL SOCIETY!!

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Special Thanks/Kudos

Maxine Davison for your 23 years serving as recording secreatary for the Planning Commission

Mike Schawanitz for volunteering to help keep the trail clean and safe.

Sharon Hughes for volunteering to make the trail as beautiful as we can.

Project Updates

Community Programs

Fur-e-tails Newsletter

A new electronic newsletter for pet lovers, fur-e-tails, has been launched by Sylvan Lake resident Linda Wasche. Every monthly issue contains information and news covering all topics ranging from pet care and nutrition to the latest in pet products and pet lover events. For your FREE subscription contact editor-fur-e-tails@oaklandpetfund.org. All proceeds from fur-e-tails advertising will go to benefit Oakland pet fund, bringing the No-More-Homeless Pets movement to Oakland County.

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Community Service Directory

In the future, this will be used for local businesses to list their name, description of service, website, email address, etc.

Listings in the Community Service Directory will be renewed annually.

Classified Advertising

Residents in the future will be able to advertise items for sale, rentals, services, etc.

Listings for the Classified Advertising will change monthly.

April Calender Of Events

4th   - Yard Waste Collection begins.

6th   - Good Friday; City Hall closed.

9th   - Last day to register for the May 8th School Election.

10th - Planning Commission public hearing and regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Sylvan Lutheran Church.

11th - City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Sylvan Lutheran Church.

24th - City Council Study Session at 7:00 p.m. in the Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church.

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Variances

The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) has the power to grant variances upon appeal, from the strict application of the zoning ordinance. An appeal may be filed when there is a practical difficulty or hardship preventing the property owner from conforming to the strict letter of the ordinance. The ZBA will consider the request for a variance and determine whether it may be granted without substantial detriment to the public good and without substantially impairing the intent and purpose of the ordinance.

The authority of the ZBA is designed to provide relief to a property owner from an ordinance that is uniquely affecting him/her. The problem the property owner faces must be created by circumstances unique to the property and not shared by surrounding parcels and the problem cannot be self-created. Typically, the following situations must exist:

The alleged practical difficulty is exceptional and peculiar to the property and generally does not exist throughout the City. An irregular shaped lot or odd natural characteristics of the land are possible examples of this.

The alleged practical difficulty must be more than a mere inconvenience or need for financial gain or financial savings.

The practical difficulty was not created by an action of the applicant and either existed at the time of the adoption of the requirement from which the variance is requested, or is necessary as the result of governmental action such as road widening. A self-created hardship is typically not a valid basis for a variance.

The variance is the minimum necessary to permit reasonable use of the land and building for activities permitted in the zoning ordinance.

Justice considering: Public benefits specifically defined by zoning rules, AND individual hardship suffered by not granting variance, AND the rights of affected property owners.

The appellant presents information usually showing that the requested variance:

Will not be contrary with the intent and purpose of the zoning ordinance,

Will not cause a substantially adverse affect upon adjacent properties,

Will relate only to the property under control of the appellant,

Will not essentially alter the character of the surrounding area,

Will not increase the hazard of fire, flood, or other similar dangers; and

Will not increase traffic congestion.

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Newsletter Guidelines for Outside Submissions

The City of Sylvan Lake welcomes articles, news and updates from members of the community. Such information should be relevant to Sylvan Lake, to its residents and to living in the community. The editor reserves the right to accept or reject any such information. All such information will also be edited for style and space.