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The new ordinance goes into effect Thursday, April 24

Saugatuck Township has approved a new ordinance to combat coastal erosion and safeguard the ecological and structural integrity of the Lakeshore.

The Lakeside Overlay District Ordinance, effective starting April 24, applies to all properties west of Lakeshore Drive, from the Township’s northern boundary (north of 130th Avenue/Wiley Road) to the southern boundary at 124th Avenue/M-89. It was approved by the Township Board on April 9, following a four-month moratorium on building and zoning permits along the lakeshore.

“We recognize the fragile environmental conditions happening along the Lake Michigan shoreline within the township and knew we had to take action,” said Daniel DeFranco, Saugatuck Township manager. “The township’s new Lakeside Overlay District provides land protection against potential erosion due to property development and Lake Michigan’s ever-changing water levels. We believe this is a positive step toward erosion mitigation and could be beneficial for neighboring communities experiencing similar land concerns.”

The Lakeside Overlay District includes development standards that minimize erosion, protect dune and bluff stability, and preserve the scenic and natural character of the shoreline.

Details of the new Lakeside Overlay District:

• Rezoning all land west of Lakeshore Drive will be rezoned into the new Lakeside Overlay District.
• All construction, including accessory structures and erosion control features, requires zoning permits and must comply with relevant local, county, state, and federal approvals.
• Development standards, such as:
  • Lot coverage is limited to 40% of the buildable area west of Lakeshore Drive, excluding setback areas and land between the bluff and erosion hazard line.
  • Basements are prohibited; structures must be built on crawlspaces or pilings.
  • Waterfront setbacks are defined by the 60-year erosion recession line per EGLE mapping. Side and front setbacks are 15’ and 40’, respectively. No fences or walls are permitted in the waterfront yard.
  • Driveways and surfaces must be permeable and outside of side yard setbacks.
  • Private roads are prohibited.
  • Earth movement is strictly limited to within 10 feet of the building footprint. Grading and drainage plans signed by a licensed engineer are required.
• Environmental protections, including:
  • Use of native dune-stabilizing vegetation, such as beach grass, is required.

• Trees over 8″ diameter may only be removed under specific conditions (e.g., disease, dying), and roots must be retained.
• Underground irrigation and in-ground pools are prohibited.
• Tree protection zone on both sides of Lakeshore Drive for first 40’ from right-of-way

“I applaud Saugatuck Township for their due diligence and creating a robust ordinance that will help preserve properties along the shoreline and prevent erosion,” said State Rep. Joey Andrews. “Saugatuck Township’s Lakeside Overlay District takes account of the unique and sensitive environmental conditions along the Lake Michigan shoreline, not just now, but for years to come.”

Click here for the EGLE State Map of the High Risk Erosion Area and here for the Lakeside Overlay District Ordinance.

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