ELECTION RESULTS

 

We had 995 voters for the November election, which is a 77.70% turnout.  Thank you for doing such a great job on getting out there and voting, and also a big thank you to the election workers for helping the event run smoothly!

 

Results for the two available City Council seats:

 

Sharon Maurina - 615

John Shepp - 422

Dave MacGillis - 416

 

Congratulations Sharon and John!  We look forward to working with you for the next three years as a City Council member.  Thank you to all of the candidates for working hard for this election and expressing a great deal of interest in the City.

 

Results for our local proposals:

 

Community Center Bond - YES 513, NO 456

Park and Rec Millage - YES 462, NO 504

City Hall Bond - YES 454, NO 523

Dock Advisory Question - YES 311, NO 640

* If you are interested in being a part of the election process, no experience is needed (training available), both males and females are welcome, you will be paid by the hour, and different shifts are available.  Call Dennise at City Hall or email her at clippertsylvanlk@comcast.net.

 

Community Events

 

Berkley High School Holiday Caroling

Many Sylvan Lake residents have shown exceptional support and encouragement of the Berkley High School A Capella choir, and they would like to show their appreciation.  Here is a letter from Mrs. Marci Morrow, director of Berkley's A Capella choir:

 

For more than a century, Carnegie Hall has set the standard and tradition for excellence in performance.  Every artist who stands on the Hall's stage is standing on a base of history, anchored by that tradition.  The walls have echoed with applause for the world's most outstanding classical artists and popular musicians of our time.  These artists have included Gustav Mahler, Liza Minnelli, John Philip Sousa, and this year Berkley High School's A Capella Choir.  Statistics state that the odds of a child performing at Carnegie Hall are 1 in 73,000, and Berkley is sending 30 students.  Our choir was invited to participate in this great honor after working with conductor Dr. David Rayl from the Michigan State University.  Under Dr. Rayl's direction Berkley High School, several other choirs, and the New England Symphonic Ensemble will perform Beethoven's Mass in C Major on May 22, 2007 at 8:00 p.m..

 

While we are very excited to be presented with this opportunity, we are also faced with the challenge of raising significant funds.  We are asking the City of Sylvan Lake to consider allowing our choir to come and sing holiday carols at Memorial Park on a Saturday or Sunday  afternoon/early evening in December - date to be chosen in the future.  One of the members of A Capella lives in your city and can act as the spokesperson for this ensemble.  We ask that in return your city residents make a small donation or allow us to collect a free will offering.

 

Thank you for your consideration.

 

Sincerely,

 

Marci Morrow

Choral Director, Berkley High School

mmorrow@berkley.k12.mi.us

248-837-8118

 

The member of the A Capella choir who lives in Sylvan Lake is Allison Zink, daughter of Dean and Charlene Zink. 

 

To support the group, City Council is encouraging a small ensemble to perform in Sylvan Lake to raise funds to attend this event.  The ensemble will be singing holiday songs and carols at Memorial Park on Saturday, December 23rd, from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. The ensemble will sing twice, starting at 1:00 p.m. for approximately 30 minutes.  They will break for 15 minutes and then continue the caroling.  A representative will be at the park to tell people about the choir and their trip to Carnegie Hall.  Cookies, hot chocolate, and cider will be available at the park.  A “free will donation box” will be available for those who wish to contribute.  Parents of the choir members have been selling raffle tickets.  The parent in charge asked if they could sell them at this performance.

 

Holiday Lighting Contest

We need the residents to challenge the judges when choosing the best displays.  The categories for the judging are:

• Best Christmas Tree,
• Most Artistic,
• Best Lights (including best white lights and best multicolor lights),
• Living Christmas Card,
• Best Neighborhood Group, and
• Best Religious and Christmas Theme.

The judging will take place on Saturday, December 16th, starting at 6:00 p.m.  We have three judges so far, but if you are interested in judging, please contact City Hall right away to see if they need any more judges.  Have all your lights and decorations out in full glory!!

 

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News/Announcements

 

 

Snow Is On The Way!

Please try not to park your vehicle on the street during the stormy weather.  It is very difficult to maneuver the plow trucks around the parked vehicles.  Reminder: There is no parking on the streets between 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

 

 Planning Commission 

The Planning Commission meeting will take place on Tuesday, December 5th, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Lutheran Church.

 

The draft of the Master Plan was approved by the Planning Commission at their November meeting.  It will now go before City Council and neighboring municipalities along with Oakland County for their review and comments.  A copy of the draft Master Plan will be available for review at City Hall.  They will begin reviewing the zoning ordinance to implement some of the zoning changes proposed in the Master Plan.  The Planning Commission will also be reviewing the fence ordinance, parking, and total lot coverage.

 *Click here to see Master Plan projects and funding.

 

City Council meeting

The City Council meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Lutheran Church on Wednesday, December 13th.

 

The annual organizational meeting will begin the December City Council meeting.  Sharon Maurina and John Shepp will be sworn in as City Council members and the City Council will elect one of its members as Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem for the following year.  Tentative agenda items are the discussion about the community center, the Master Plan, and the road Right-of-Way policy.

 

Winter Absence

Are you going away for the winter?  If so, please notify City Hall and the City will keep a close eye on your home while you are gone.  City Hall can also send you your absentee ballot for the election.  Also, if nobody will be at your home while you are away, you can save money by having your water shut off.

 

City Hall Closed

City Hall will be closed for the holidays on the following dates:

• December 25th
• December 26th
• December 29th
• January 1st  

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Board Of Review

We need a resident to sit on the board of review.  If you are interested, please submit a letter to City Hall soon.  If you have questions about what the responsibilities of a board member are, please call City Hall.

From The Police Chief

The Chief is asking residents to call in 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 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.

 

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.

 

Code Enforcement

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

• long grass/weeds,
• junk cars,
• storage of garbage cans (cannot be visible from the street),
• brush,
• trash,
• 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. 

Bocce Ball

It's not too late to be thinking about Bocce Ball.  There is always 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.

 

Cable Advisory Board

There is still one opening on the Cable Advisory Board.  This is a three-year term running from July 1st through June 30th.  If you are interested or have any questions, please call/submit a letter to City Hall. 

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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.

 

Leaf Collection Reminder

The leaf collection program will be ending the second week of December.  Also, the yard waste collection has already ended for the season.  If you have yard waste, you must keep it on your property (back yard or garage) until next spring.  Richfield management will be picking up Christmas trees until January 10th, but the trees must be cut into four feet sections.

 

Dead Trees

We have been receiving complaints about about dead trees and the ill-maintenance of trees.  This can be dangerous to not only your household, but your neighbor's as well.  Dead trees allow animals to harbor in them and it could eventually fall on a house.  Please take care of them properly.

 

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.

 

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.

1. You can use a plastic "storage" type container or a cardboard box.
2. Make sure it is marked RECYCLING so the contents are not disposed with the regular trash.
3. Newspapers, magazines, and ads should be tied securely with a string or placed in a brown paper bag.
4. Telephone books do not have to be bundled.
5. Plastic jugs, bottles, glass bottles, and jars must be washed out.
6. Only bottles marked with a 1 or 2 on the bottom will be accepted.
7. Metal cans need to be clean and the label must be removed.
8. If any recycling is dirty, it will be thrown out with the regular trash.

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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.

 

Taxes Due!

Tax bills have already been mailed out.  They are payable through February 14th, 2007 with no penalty.  Please call City Hall immediately if you have not received your tax bill.

 

24-hour Tax Hotline

Property tax information is now available on the Oakland County 24-hour tax hotline by calling 248-858-0025.  To access tax information, you will need to enter your 10-digit parcel ID number. There is no charge for this service.

 

     

City of Sylvan Lake Water Quality Report

Make sure you read the entire Water Quality Report on the Sylvan Lake website.  It is found on the left column of the home page titled 2005 CCR (Consumer Confidence Report)

 

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.

 

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!!

 

Healthy Lawn Program For Watershed Protection

Would you like to see landscape and lawn care providers in your community use more environmentally friendly practices?  If so, spread the word about this opportunity for lawn care professionals to become endorsed by the Michigan Green Industry Association as part of its Healthy Lawn Program for Watershed Protection.  Partnering organizations promote lawn care practices to consumers that encourage limited use of slow-release nitrogen fertilizer, plus low-phosphorus or no phosphorus fertilizers, and to choose integrated pest management options in controlling turf-grass weed, insect, and disease problems.  Register today at (249)646-4992 or email karla@landscape.org.

 

The deadline to register is January 12th, 2007.  The event will take place on January 17th, 2007 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  The location is LESCO, Inc. at 13405 Stark in Livonia, MI.  Take advantage of this because the cost is free!

 

Home and Garden Tour - More Gardens!!

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.  The Home and Garden Tour will take place on June 16th, 2007.  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). 

 

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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. 

 

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 Special Thanks/Kudos

A special thank you to all of those who voted last month!!

 

 Project Updates

 

 

Community Programs 

 

Dogs

Please remember that dogs are not allowed in the park.  This also means that your dog cannot go into the water.  There is an ordinance requiring dogs to be on a leash at all times and the leash cannot exceed six feet.  This ordinance is for the safety of everyone in Sylvan Lake.

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

 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.

December Calender Of Events

 

• 5th - Planning Commission meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Lutheran Church.
• 13th - City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Lutheran Church.
• 16th - Holiday display judging from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• 22nd - Winter begins.
• 25th, 26th, 29th, and January 1st - City Hall closed for holiday. 

 

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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:

1. 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.
2. The alleged practical difficulty must be more than a mere inconvenience or need for financial gain or financial savings.
3. 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.
4. The variance is the minimum necessary to permit reasonable use of the land and building for activities permitted in the zoning ordinance.
5. 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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