Would you like to let your neighbors know more about what your committee is up to? Or maybe you have news and information you would like to share, such as family announcements, recipes, decorating ideas, or crafts. We invite you to submit content that you think your neighbors will want to know about. We will include information as space allows. All submissions must follow the Newsletter Guidelines for Outside Submissions at the end of this newsletter.

Please encourage neighbors who have not signed up for this newsletter to do so. While those not on our email list will receive a print version of the newsletter, it will be in black and white, only contain basic information, and they will not receive our reminders and updates.

And don't forget to visit the Sylvan lake Website.

-- John Martin, City Manager

We need your photographs!

If you have any photos related to the City that you would like to share, please forward them following the guidelines in this newsletter. The photos can be from a special event, sunset, or just a "nature" photo. Click on "Newsletter Guidelines for Outside Submissions" above to see how to do it.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Community Events

Local Election Results

We had 429 voters for the November election, a 32.09% turnout. The results for the two available City Council seats were as follows:

Justin Hatch - 131 Aron Lorenz - 311 Eric Wiegand - 328

Congratulations Aron and Eric and 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. A big thank you to the election inspectors who worked a long, hard day. If you want be a part of the election process, no experience is needed (training available), male or female, paid by the hour, and different shifts are available. Call Dennise at City Hall or email clippertsylvanlk@comcast.net.

Holiday Lighting Contest

The judging will be Saturday, December 15th starting at 6:00 p.m. So have all your lights and decorations out in full glory! Let's make it difficult for the judges to pick the finest displays. The categories are:

Best Christmas Tree

Artistic

Lights

Living Christmas Card

Neighborhood Group

Religious

Christmas Theme.

We are in need of a few residents willing to judge the holiday lights this year. If you are interested, please contact City Hall right away.

Home and Garden Tour Sponsorship Request

The Home and Garden Tour is scheduled for June 21st, 2008. The H&G committee seeks sponsorship for a banner that will span Orchard Lake Road announcing our 5th annual Tour and, given the growing popularity in the surrounding areas, we are sure this will be our best attendance ever! Please call the Home & Garden TOUR 08 hotline at (248) 615-6296 if you would like to be a sponsor of the banner or advertiser for the tour book. Midge or Eric will call you back promptly. Thanks for the support of the Home and Garden Tour 2008.

Marguerite Davidson

248-615-6196 (direct)

248-442-4680 (fax)

Community Center

The Community Center is now gone!! This is now an official construction site and only authorized people (Construction crew, City Manager, Construction Manager, DPW and approved personnel) are allowed on the site. Under no circumstances are any residents allowed on the site. If you want to see the progress, you can look from outside the fence. There are signs posted for "No Trespassing"; violators will be ticketed!

The Committee is now deciding finishes for the building. We still hope to have concrete in place before cold weather and begin construction.

When the stone and brick was removed from the fireplace, it was placed in a pile on the site. This stone and brick was to be used in the landscaping of the new site. Unfortunately, it has all been taken.

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News/Announcements

City Hall Closed

City Hall will be closed December 24th, 25th, 26th, 31st, and January 1st for the holidays.

Presidential Primary Election

The Presidential Primary Election will proceed on Tuesday, January 15th, 2008. This is a closed primary election, meaning you must select which party you will be voting for. For those of you who have headed south for the winter already, a copy of this application is available on the City website, sylvanlake.org.

Absentee voters' applications will be available at City Hall. This application will be a little different. You must select a ballot type: Republican Party ballot or Democratic Party ballot. Only one ballot will be issued. If you do not select a ballot type, a ballot will not be issued to you.

City Council Meeting

The City Council meeting will be held on Wednesday, December 12th. Tentatively on the agenda will be the creation of a new Boat Dock Committee and discussion of the proposed Community Center rules and regulations presented by the Community Center Rental Committee.

City Council would like to hold a special meeting regarding the Lakeview Litigation. They would like everyone to get a better understanding of the consent agreement that was agreed to by the Lakeview residents and the City in 1977. Also, they would like the Lakeview residents to express their thoughts on it. They are looking to have this meeting January 22nd, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Sylvan Lutheran Church.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission will be reviewing the lighting on Orchard Lake Road and continuing their discussion on the Orchard Lake Road Corridor.

Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem

At the November 14th City Council meeting, City Council elected Paul Hungerman for Mayor and Aron Lorenz for Mayor Pro-Tem for the next year. Congratulations to both.

Tax Time

Tax bills have been mailed out. Taxes are payable through February 14th, 2008 without a penalty. Please call City Hall immediately if you have not received your tax bill.

Board Of Review Opening

We now need two residents to fill openings on the Board of Review. This is a three-year term running from February 1st to January 31st. If you are interested, please submit a letter to City Hall. If you have questions, please call. This is a paid position.

Street Parking

With snow on its way, please try not to park your car on the street during the bad weather. It makes it very difficult to maneuver the plow trucks around parked cars. Remember that there is no parking on any street between the hours of 2:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m.

Leaf Collection

The leaf collection will end the second week of December. Remember that the collection of yard waste has ended for the season. If you have yard waste, you will have to keep it on your property (in your back yard or garage) until spring. Richfield Management will pick up Christmas trees until January 9th, but they need to be cut into four-foot sections.

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From The Police Chief

Warning to seniors:

There has been a third party gas utility group going around the city with high pressure sales claiming they can save you money on your gas bill. They are solicitors and do not have a permit to be in the City, so close your door and call the police immediately. If you have any other 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 West Bloomfield dispatch, day or night, and they will have a Sylvan Lake Police Officer respond to your call. If the line is busy, please call back. Our police phone line (248-682-2126) can only forward one call at a time to dispatch.

Who is allowed to go door to door? Only non-profit groups that register with the Police Department.

Police Department

The police department is reminding you again to keep your cars, garages, and homes locked. Don't leave your keys or valuable items in your car. Numerous households and cars were not locked up and had items stolen from their cars and garages. Thank you to our police department who caught the criminals.

Street Lighting

The City has been working with Detroit Edison�s Community Lighting group to expedite the repair and maintenance of streetlights. If you see a problem with a street light, please call City Hall with the following information:

Specific streetlight location,

wooden or metal pole,

streetlight pole number (metal pole - at base of pole, Wood poles - it is located eight feet up the pole),

details about outage (intermittent, off, flashing, etc.).

If there is a case where a pole has been knocked down or any other emergency, please call 1-800-477-4747.

Dead Trees - New Ordinance

At the October City Council meeting, City Council approved an ordinance to require the removal of dead, diseased or dangerous trees and shrubs. If the owner fails to do so after written notification, the City may seek a warrant to enter the property and remove the items at the owner's expense. A copy of the full ordinance is available at City Hall.

Air Conditioner and generator placement - New Ordinance

City Council also approved an ordinance defining the placement and screening of new air conditioners, generators and other mechanical equipment. They may be placed in the side and rear yards, but shall not be permitted within the front yard. All equipment shall be screened with landscaping so as not to be visible from the street. A copy of the full ordinance is available at City Hall.

Winter Leave

Going away for the winter? Please be sure to notify City Hall. We will keep an extra close eye on your house while you are gone. You may be able to save money by having your water shut off. Please call City Hall if you have any questions.

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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

Blight

Bicyclists And Walkers

Please remember when walking to walk on the left side of the street, facing traffic, and bikers should ride on the right side of the street, with traffic. If you plan on riding your bike or walking at night, please wear reflective clothing so that drivers can see you better. Parents, make sure your children are aware of the laws. Everyone should stop at all stop signs, including on the trail.

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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.

*If you have any items that need to be picked up, please call Richfield Management at 877-609-6753.

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.

Permits are required for a few reasons, safety being the primary reason. It is very important that work performed in your home meets the current codes and regulations. Even something as small as adding a circuit to your electrical panel or installing a water heater needs to be inspected. Both could have disastrous consequences if installed improperly. If you have a contractor do the work for you, make sure they have pulled the appropriate permits. Also, part of the permit fee is a bond that is refunded if the work is completed properly and all applicable inspection fees were paid. We want you to be aware of this so a contractor doesn't�t add this �bond� fee to the cost of your project and then they get the bond refunded to them when it is completed. If you have questions on how the permit process works, please call City Hall.

Recycling

Only 25 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 (ROW) Policy

City Council has approved the ROW policy governing improvements in the ROW. The ROW is City right of way, the strip of land along the street, from the edge of the street to the property line. The area generally extends from 12 to 15 feet from the pavement. The ROW policy requires a permit before ANY improvement is made in the ROW. This includes digging, filling, installing sprinkler systems, planting trees, etc. Improvements that do not require a permit are minor things such as maintenance, planting grass, or flowers.

The Policy requires that the first four feet (4') of ROW adjacent to the street be grass, low approved vegetation, or at-grade rocks for retaining (around a culvert end for example). This vegetation could be flowers (hostas) etc. If you are wondering what would be allowed, please call City Hall. Items that are absolutely not allowed within 4 feet of the edge of the pavement are above grade items like rocks, boulders, tall plants or bushes, landscape planters, reflectors, etc. The entire ROW policy will be available for review on the web site and at City Hall.

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.

SEMCOG - November is "Help Keep Pollution Out Of Storm Drains" Month

We all live on a lake or stream. We might not be able to see it from out window, but it is there. So it is important to remember that what we do at home affects our rivers and lakes.

Here are some ways to prevent pollution from getting to our storm drains:

Sweep it - Help keep pollution out of storm drains by sweeping extra fertilizer, grass clippings, and dirt onto your lawn instead of hosing it into the storm drains.

Only rain in the drain - Only put rain in the drain. Don�t dump oil, chemicals, pet waste, or anything else. Especially in the fall, when we're busy raking leaves, make sure that they are swept off the street and are not blocking storm drains.

Label it - Help get the clean water message out. Volunteer to label storm drains with reminder messages that storm drains lead to lakes and streams.

For more information, go to www.semcog.org/ourstoprotect.

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.

CLICK HERE TO READ AN ARTICLE ENTITLED LIVING WITH GEESE.

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Clinton River Trail

Use of the Clinton River trail is increasing. It's great to see so many people enjoying it.

Mike Schwanitz continues to volunteer his time patrolling the trail from Orchard Lake Road to Inverness picking up trash and making sure everything is OK.  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.

Betty Delaney continues to head the Trail committee. A meeting was held in August and plans are being made for the cleaning maintaining, and improving of the Trail. There will be much more to come!

Sharon Hughes continues to lead a planting program on the trail near Pontiac Drive.  She would appreciate help planting and maintaining the areas.   If you have something you would like to donate, please call Sharon at 248-681-5557, or email her at Slynnhughes@netzero.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



Special Thanks/Kudos

Brad Conkey for your time, dedication, and having the City's best interest at heart. Brad sat on City Council for the past three years and served as Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem during his term. He has also donated many years of his time to the Board of Review and Planning Commission.

Sara Ykema and her three-year-old son, Chase, for having picked up trash on the Trail from Inverness to Avondale.

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.

CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT BECOMING A NEW MEMBER OF NOOTERS CLUB!

CAN YOU FIND A HOME FOR TWO KITTENS? CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

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December Calender Of Events

4th - Planning Commission Meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Lutheran Church

12th - City Council meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Lutheran Church

15th - Holiday display judging from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

21st - Winter begins

24th, 25th, 26th, 31st, and January 1st - City Hall closed for holidays

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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.

In submitting information, please follow the guidelines below.

Submit your information, preferably in electronic form, to:

Newsletter Editor

Sylvanlakenewsletter@gmail.com

248-682-1440

1. Articles and updates

Limit articles, updates and other information to no more than 200 words. Such items must be written from the perspective of an outside objective third party. We do NOT accept editorials or opinion pieces. Let readers know where they can go for more information, where appropriate, by including a phone number, email address or website. Also, be sure to include your contact information in case we have questions.

2. News releases

We welcome news releases on upcoming events and programs, but cannot run releases in their entirety due to space limitations. Be sure to include contact information.

3. Photos

Color photos are welcome IF THEY ACCOMPANY ABOVE DESCRIBED NEWS OR INFORMATION. All photos MUST be in ELECTRONIC format as a .gif or .jpg. If photos include human subjects, be sure you have their permission to submit the photo. Be sure to include a caption explaining what is in the photo as well as a name and contact information for the person submitting the photo. If a photo was taken by someone other the person submitting it, you will need his or her written permission to allow us to use the photo.

4. Deadlines

Information for the newsletter is due as follows:

The 12^th of the month preceding the issue (For example, information for the December issue would be due November 12th and so on.)

Sylvan Lake Spotlight

Sylvan Lake Spotlight is published by the City of Sylvan Lake, 1820 Inverness, Sylvan Lake, MI 48320. Resident news and information are welcome, but must follow newsletter editorial guidelines. To request a copy of the Editorial Guidelines, contact City Manager John Martin at martinsylvanlk@comcast.net.

In the future, Advertising may be accepted from residents and local businesses. Please watch future newsletters to obtain advertising rate information, or to place an ad in the Community Service Directory or Classified Advertising section..

LEGAL NOTICE: This email may be considered an advertising or promotional message. If you no longer wish to receive this email, please unsubscribe using the link found at the top of this newsletter. Views expressed or implied herein are not necessarily those of the City of Sylvan Lake, City Council or its affiliates.