Community Events

4th Annual Sylvan Lake Shuffle

The 4th annual Sylvan Shuffle will be Saturday, May 12th, 2007 at 9:00 a.m. There will be a five-K run, a five-K walk, and a one-K fun run/walk. The event begins and ends at the Oakland County Boat Club, 2350 Ferndale.

The entry fee is $18 by mail until May 5th and $20 on race day at the Boat Club from 8:00 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. All of those who participate will receive the official Sylvan Lake Shuffle Run/Walk T-shirt! The money that is raised will be put toward the Sylvan Lake parks. You can pick up an entry form at City Hall. Send your entry and fee to:

Sylvan Lake Shuffle

1786 Woodland

Sylvan Lake, MI 48320

Anyone wanting to sponsor or help out can contact Michelle or Dan Allread at 248-683-5738 or email Michelle at michlegal@sbcglobal.net.

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 labeled GARAGE SALE. 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. Checks should be made out to Sylvan Lake H&G Tour. 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

The annual Lakes Area Memorial Day Parade will be Monday, May 28th. They are still in need of �musical� entries. If you have a small band, bag pipes, or singing group that can walk or ride in a vehicle and perform, please call!! The day will begin with a memorial service at Keego Harbor�s Memorial Rock at 9:30 a.m. Line-up for the parade will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Cass Lake Road. The parade will begin at 10:15 a.m. and will travel Orchard Lake Road to Inverness and to Sylvan Lake�s Memorial Park. Sylvan Lake�s memorial service will begin at approximately 11:30 a.m.

Several streets and intersections throughout the City are closed during the parade. Closed roads are Orchard Lake Road between Cass Lake Road and Middlebelt, and Inverness. Access to Orchard Lake Road will be closed at:

Beverly,

Warwick,

Woodland,

Lakeland,

Sherwood, and

Inverness.

If you need to get onto Cass Lake Road, you can use Knowlson off Beverly. In order to get to Orchard Lake Road, use Pontiac Drive.

We also need help with barricades for the street closings.  If you are willing to help with barricades, be a part of the parade, or have questions, please call Jim Bull at 248-681-3053 or Mel Hager at 248-875-9773.

Plant Exchange

The Sylvan Lake Garden Club is hosting another city-wide plant exchange at Memorial Park on Saturday, June 9th, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. Make sure you bring perennials and annuals to the Exchange. You will be able to take a plant home for every plant you bring. If you know what type of perennial or annual it is you are bringing, please label it. People who do not have plants to exchange will be able to purchase plants. So as you prepare your garden this year, save your surplus perennials and trade them with your neighbors. The proceeds will go to the Sylvan Lake Garden Club. For more information, please contact Helen McAllister at 248-682-1082.

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. Tickets are $12 through June 14th, $15 the day of the tour, and $10 each for groups of 10 or more. Those with any questions about tickets should call Debby Leh at 248-681-8624 or Judy Schwanitz at 248-681-2750.

*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. Donations are needed!! Please help keep the tradition alive!!

Park Clean-up

Another annual park cleanup is scheduled for Sunday, May 6th, at 12 noon. Be at the Ferndale Park to help make our parks look as beautiful as they should look!

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.

Tennis Lessons

Tennis lessons will be offered to children this summer on Tuesday mornings. The dates will be:

June 19th,

June 26th,

July 9th,

July 16th,

July 23rd, and

July 30th.

Registration forms are available at City Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Carrie MacGillis at 248-683-9118 or Michelle Allread at 248-683-5738.

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News/Announcements

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Sylvan Lake will now participate with West Bloomfield for hazardous waste collection. The first collection will take place on May 5th from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the West Bloomfield Civic Center, 4550 Walnut Lake Road. You must get a pass from City Hall. This shows West Bloomfield that you are from Sylvan Lake and you are allowed to be there.

Click here for a layout of what you can and cannot bring.

*The month of May is a great time to remind citizens that many household products are hazardous to people, pets, and the environment. Things like old paint, fuel, pesticides, and cleaners will pollute our waterways if washed or dumped into storm drains or ditches if they are not disposed of properly.

Check out this video for ideas on how to keep our water clean. (This video may not work on every computer.)

Here are some tips to share with residents:

READ THE LABEL - Products labeled with words like DANGER, CAUTION, WARNING, or TOXIC let you know to handle them carefully in use and in disposal.

MAKE YOUR OWN NON-TOXIC CLEANERS - Save money and the environment by using baking soda, which alone can be used for dozens of jobs around the house like scrubbing counters, clearing drains, and freshening carpets. You can also try vinegar and water for your windows. Click here for more ideas.

STORE SAFELY - Products should be stored in cool, dry places away from kids and pets.

DUMP WISELY - NEVER dump motor oil, fertilizer, or other toxic materials down storm drains, sinks, or onto the ground.

Click here for other great ideas to keep our drinking water, rivers, lakes and streams clean.

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.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW INFORMATION ABOUT A LOW-COST RABIES VACCINATION CLINIC COMING MAY 12TH!!

Planning Commission Meeting

The Planning Commission meeting will be held in the Sylvan Lutheran Church on May 1st at 7:30 p.m. On the agenda will be continued discussion of required front yard setbacks, zoning text for new zoning classifications, total lot coverage, and parking.

Click here for the approved text amendments.

City Council Meeting

The City Council meeting will be on May 9th 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 the 2007-08 millage rates and budget.

School Election

On Tuesday, May 8th, residents can vote to elect candidates for the Pontiac and West Bloomfield school boards. City Hall will be open Saturday, May 5th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to hand out absentee ballots (only).

Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Hearing

The ZBA will be hearing a request for 2496 Pontiac Drive on May 9th at 6:30 p.m. in the Sylvan Lutheran Church. The petitioner is seeking approval to allow a new driveway to be constructed that is greater than 21 feet wide to allow additional off-street parking in the required front yard setback.

Budget Public Hearing

This hearing will be held on May 9th at 7:30 p.m. to receive public input regarding the proposed 2007/2008 budget. Copies of the proposed millage rates, revenues, and expenditures will be available. The regular City Council meeting will immediately follow the public hearing.

Boat Ramp Keys/Park and Sports Tags

These are now on sale. Only one of each tag or key will be sold per household. Along with the purchase of any tags or key, the resident must pay a one-time park registration fee of $30. This fee helps to pay the property taxes to keep our parks private.

The park tag is $20 ($15 for seniors) and will allow your family and eight (8) guests to use our park facilities. You must have the park tag with you at all times.  The Park Ranger will be checking to make sure residents have a tag.

The sports tag cost is $10 and will allow you and up to three (3) guests to use the tennis, bocce, and volleyball courts. All guests must be accompanied by the resident. Please abide by the rules that are posted at each court. If you have more than three guests, you must borrow a sports tag from a Sylvan Lake resident to make sure you have one tag for every three guests.

The boat ramp key is $20 and allows you to use the City boat ramp located on Ferndale, next to the Oakland County Boat Club.  Original boat registration and proof of Sylvan Lake residency must be provided to purchase a key. Along with the ramp key, one boat ramp sticker will be provided. When using the boat ramp, be sure to lock the gate when you are done. There will be no replacement ramp keys sold if you lose yours.

Boat Ramp Stickers

Boat ramp stickers are required on all watercraft launched, with the exception of the �guest ramp pass� defined below. Therefore, if you have a second boat, you must purchase an additional sticker in order to launch your watercraft. They are available at City Hall for a cost of $10. You must be a resident and show your original boat registration showing the resident owns the watercraft in order to purchase a sticker. You do NOT need a sticker to have your boat at your dock, just to use our ramp.

Boat Ramp Guest Pass

A guest ramp pass will be issued to a resident (only) for the purpose of allowing a specific guest to use the boat ramp. The cost for the guest pass is $25 for one day, for one watercraft. If a guest places his or her boat in the water and leaves it in the water for more than one day, another guest pass will be required to use the ramp when the watercraft is removed. You are not charged based on how long the watercraft is in the water, but for how many days you use the ramp. To obtain a guest pass, a resident must fill out a very short form indicating the type of watercraft along with the MC number that will be using our boat ramp. Guest ramp passes may be picked up at the City Hall during the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

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.

Mental Health Month

The City Council proclaims May 2007 as Mental Health Month. It recognizes that the State calls upon our citizens, government agencies, public and private institutions, businesses, and schools to recommit our state to increasing awareness and the understanding of mental illness. It also recognizes the need for appropriate and accessible services for all people with mental illness.

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, 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. It is also the responsibility of the dock holder to inform anyone sharing your space, or a company installing your dock, of this rule.

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!

*Click here for more info.

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

Mark and Chris Wood for donating a Dogwood tree to the Clinton River Trail. Everyone else should get on board!!

Mike Schwanitz 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.

May Calender Of Events

1st   - Planning Commission meeting at the Sylvan Lutheran Church at 7:30 p.m.

5th   - Household Hazardous waste Collection at West Bloomfield Civic Center from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

8th   - School Election at DPW garage, 1820 Inverness; polls open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

9th   - Budget public hearing, ZBA hearing, and City Council meeting at 7:00 p.m. at the Sylvan Lutheran Church.

12th - 4th annual Sylvan Lake Shuffle.

24th, 25th, 26th - City-wide garage sale.

28th - Memorial Day Parade; City Hall closed.

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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.