SAUGATUCK, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Apr. 9, 2025) – No final decisions will be made, but a number of topics will be before the Saugatuck City Council during its Wednesday workshop session.
Highlighting the agenda is considering rebranding what has been commonly known as the Old Airport Property, a 170-acre site off of 134th Avenue and 63rd Street that was supposed to be for an airstrip that never materialized. The city is partnering with Holland’s Outdoor Discovery Center to open up the land for public use. After a two-week-long online survey was conducted last month, in which 98 responses were logged, the Parks and Public Works Committee came up with seven potential names for the site, topped by the committee’s recommended choice of Saugatuck Wilds Nature Preserve.
Along those lines, a Tri-Community Wildlife Management Committee, formed by the cities of Saugatuck and Douglas, along with Saugatuck Township, has put together a resolution asking the governing panels of those municipalities to formally recognize several recommendations and work to make them becoming reality. A state DNR wildlife biologist will be on hand to answer any questions of council members.
The leaders will also look at a draft of proposed changes in Saugatuck’s Short-Term Rental Licensing Ordinance Amendment that have been in the works for several weeks. Those changes involve late applications, grandfather clauses, and ownership matters.
Finally, council will look at a proposed survey on a recommendation by Sergeant Marina to make all of Kalamazoo Lake a no-wake zone for vessels. Proponents say it would reduce wake-related safety issues, but opponents claim it would limit some recreational boating options.
The 4 PM Saugatuck City Council workshop is in the second-floor meeting room of Saugatuck City Hall (102 Butler St.). An online link to the agenda and supporting documents is here.
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