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 NEW YEAR!!

Community Events

Holiday Lighting Contest Winners

Congratulations to the following Holiday Light Display contest winners:

Best Christmas Tree - 2357 Garland (Zimmerman)

Most Artistic - 2375 Cheltingham (Shaheen)

First Place Lights - 2506 Garland (Rauker)

Living Christmas Card - 2144 Garland (Black)

Best Street - Beverly

Religious - 1715 Beverly (Houle)

Christmas Theme - 1795 Lakeland (Wright)

Multi-colored Lights - 2404 Avondale (Garska)

White Lights - 2214 Garland (Mierzwa)

Also a big thank you to our judges - Justin Hatch, Marguerite Davidson, and Eric Wiegand.

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!

We are still planning on having the Community Center completed by early summer.

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News/Announcements

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. Only one ballot will be issued. If you do not select a ballot type, a ballot will not be issued to you.

Absentee voters' applications are available at City Hall. A copy of the application is also on our website. City Hall will be open for absentee ballots only on Saturday, January 12th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

City Council Meeting

The City Council meeting will take place on January 16th, one week later due to the holidays, at 7:30 p.m. at the Sylvan Lutheran Church.

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission meeting will be a week late due to the holidays, so it will be on January 8th at 7:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church. On the agenda will be the continued discussion of the Orchard Lake Road Corridor and pedestrian lighting.

Lakeview Litigation

City Council 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 having this meeting January 22nd, 2008, at 7:00 p.m. at the Sylvan Lake Lutheran Church. The study session will follow this meeting.

Snow Shoveling

When shoveling your driveway, please be sure to shovel the snow to the sides of the driveway. Do not put your know in the street. It is a hazard and also illegal. If you have a sidewalk in front of your house or business, it is your responsibility to keep it clean.

Snowmobilers

This is a reminder that, according to state law, City roads and road right-of-ways as well as our City parks are prohibited.

Tax Time

Tax bills have been mailed out. Taxes are payable through February 14th, 2008 without a penalty. Please pay by check, cash, or sign up to have them automatically debited. Instructions to use a credit card online are on your tax bill. You can also drop your payment off at the mail slot next to the front door of City Hall. Please call City Hall immediately if you have not received your tax bill.

Assessment Notices

These notices will be mailed during the last week of February. The Board Of Review will meet at City Hall in March. Watch next month's newsletter for more details.

Board Of Review Opening

At their December meeting, City Council appointed Sean Kelly and Jim Bull to the Board of Review. Thank you Sean and Jim for taking on this important position.

Boat Dock Applications

Boat dock applications are due no later than March 1st. Boat dock owners will be receiving their information packets in the mail. This is simply a reminder. More details will be in next month's newsletter.

New Boat Dock Committee

At the December meeting, City Council approved the formation of a new Boat Dock Committee. The term is for one year. The Committee members are: Brad Conkey, Rob Conkey, Rob Galacz, Jim Bull, Patty Harrop, Dick Pfeffer and Mitch Black. The new committee will be reviewing the current boat dock policy and making any recommendations they feel are necessary, to the City Council. They will also be enforcing the dock policy over the summer.

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 ended the second week of December. 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.

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.

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 (expired plates),

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,

missing addresses on your homes, and

blight

Ordinance Violation Hotline

Residents can call in with any ordinance violations you may see. 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 4:30 p.m. or email Ordinancesylvanlakemi@gmail.com.

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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 - 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.

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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

A big thank you to all of those who participated in the holiday lighting contest. The City looked great!!

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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January Calender Of Events

8th   - Planning Commission meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Lutheran Church.

12th - City Hall open for absentee ballots.

14th - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

15th - Presidential Primary Election, DPW garage, 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

16th - City Council meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Lutheran Church.

22nd - City Council Study Session at 7:00 p.m. in the Sylvan 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.

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.