510 Butler, Public Hearing, Special Land Use & Site Plan Review for Service of Alcoholic Beverages

MEMORANDUM City of Saugatuck Planning Commission Memo Date: Request: Address:

Lot Size:

November 14, 2025 Special Land Use 510 Butler and 120 Mary 57-300-055-00 57-300-053-50 24,729 s.f.

Complete: City Staff:

Yes Grayson Moore

Parcel:

Meeting Date: Applicant: Project Name:

November 20, 2025 Mike Friedman Wickwood Inn

Plan Date:

N/A

Zoning District:

R-4 City Center Transitional Residential (CER) Recommendation: Approval Consultant: David M. Jirousek, AICP

Overview The applicant requests special land use approval for the service of alcoholic beverages at the Wickwood Inn bed and breakfast establishment located at 510 Butler Street and the newly associated property at 120 Mary Street. Background Because the property is located in the R-4 zoning district, the Planning Commission provides a recommendation to the City Council for this particular use. § 154.049 SERVICE OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. The Planning Commission shall conduct a Special Land Use and Site Plan Review public hearing for any establishment seeking a license for the sale or consumption of beer, wine, or alcoholic beverages on-premises that is not located in the C-1 City Center Commercial District (CC), the C-4 Resort District, the C-2 Water Street East District (WSE), the C-1 Water Street North District (WSN), or the C-2 Water Street South District (WSS). Notice of the public hearing shall be served in the manner required by the Zoning Enabling Act, Act 110 of 2006 as amended. Following its determination as to whether the proposed special land use and accompanying site plan meet the criteria of the City Code, the Planning Commission shall recommend to the City Council approval, approval with 102 Butler Street  P.O. Box 86  Saugatuck, MI 49453 Phone: 269-857-2603  Website: www.saugatuckcity.com

City of Saugatuck Planning Commission 510 Butler & 120 Mary November 14, 2025 Page 2

conditions or denial. A recommendation for approval may be conditioned upon the execution of a development agreement between the applicant and the city. The City Council shall thereafter determine whether to deny, approve, or approve with conditions the special land use and site plan review. Based on the application cover letter, representatives of the Wickwood Inn desire to serve alcoholic beverages to its guests in accordance with a Resort License by the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission. The letter stated that alcohol service will be primarily offered to overnight guests, attendees of guest-sponsored meetings, brunch guests, and lunch guests. It is important to note that the Wickwood Inn remains subject to all zoning requirements for bed and breakfast establishments. Further, the definition is also important to consider during the review of ancillary activities: BED AND BREAKFAST ESTABLISHMENT. A residential building occupied by the owner(s) or resident manager, along with associated accessory guest buildings allowable under certain circumstances, which has sleeping rooms available for rent by transient people on a short-term basis. While we take no issue with alcohol service for overnight guests of the bed and breakfast establishment, our concern is with potential uses beyond what is allowable for a limited commercial business in the R-4 zoning district. For instance, the Zoning Ordinance does not explicitly authorize a bed and breakfast establishment as an event venue, nor does it acknowledge meal service beyond breakfast. As such, this review is specific to the service of alcoholic beverages for uses and activities that are allowable as part of bed and breakfast establishments and authorized accessory uses and activities. If the City Council approves the special land use for service of alcoholic beverages, the approval must not be construed as allowing any use or activity not authorized by the Zoning Ordinance. Review Process and Standards The application requires review in accordance with the following sections of the City of Saugatuck Zoning Ordinance: 

Section 154.082 Standards [for Special Land Use Approval]

Section 154.092 P Service of Alcoholic Beverages Standards

A review against Section 154.022 (R) Bed and Breakfast Establishments and Section 151.063 Standards for Formal Site Plan Approval is not necessary, as there will be no changes to the overall site plan, arrangement of rooms/buildings, and operations related to guest accommodations and rooms. The review is limited to the service of alcoholic beverages during meals or as part of the everyday enjoyment and use of the building and grounds.

City of Saugatuck Planning Commission 510 Butler & 120 Mary November 14, 2025 Page 3

Section 154.082 Standards for Special Land Use Approval In accordance with Section 154.080, before any special land use permit is granted, the Planning Commission shall make findings of fact based upon competent evidence certifying compliance with the specific regulations governing individual special land uses and, in addition, ensure that the standards of Section 154.082 are satisfied. Findings related to each standard are provided for consideration by the Planning Commission. 1. In location, size, height and intensity of the principal and/or accessory operations, be compatible with the size, type and kind of buildings, uses and structures in the vicinity and on adjacent property; Comment: As long as the service of alcoholic beverages remains limited and ancillary to the general accommodations of guests, the use should remain compatible with nearby land uses. 2. Be consistent with and promote the intent and purpose of this chapter; Comment: The proposed special land use will expand the services offered to overnight guests. As long as the use of land remains compliant with R-4 district and bed and breakfast establishment use allowances, it will be consistent with and promote the intent and purpose of Section 154.080. 3. Be compatible with the natural environment and conserve natural resources and energy; Comment: No site work is proposed as part of the proposal, and the service of alcoholic beverages will have no impact on the natural environment. 4. Be consistent with existing and future capabilities of public services and facilities affected by the proposed use; Comment: The service of alcoholic beverages to overnight guests will not create a measurable increase in demand for utilities, road access, or emergency services. 5. Protect the public health, safety, and welfare as well as the social and economic well-being of those who will use the land use or activity, residents, businesses and landowners immediately adjacent and the City as a whole; Comment: The proposed increase in services can result in an overall improvement of the guest experience and should not impact public health, safety, and welfare as long as the service of alcohol is limited to overnight guests. 6. Not create any hazards arising from storage and use of inflammable fluids;

City of Saugatuck Planning Commission 510 Butler & 120 Mary November 14, 2025 Page 4

Comment: The proposed use will not involve the storage or use of flammable fluids beyond typical residential levels, and no hazards are anticipated. 7. Not be in conflict with convenient, safe and normal vehicular and pedestrian traffic routes, flows, intersections and general character and intensity of development. In particular: (a) The property shall be easily accessible to fire and police; and (b) Not create or add to any hazardous traffic condition. Comment: The site is accessible to emergency services and will not create or contribute to hazardous traffic conditions. The service of alcoholic beverages will not increase the occupancy or usage of the facility; rather, it is an expanded service to overnight guests. 8. Be of such a design and impact that the location and height of buildings, the location, nature and height of walls, fences and the nature and extent of landscaping on the site shall not hinder or discourage the appropriate development and use of adjacent land and buildings or impair the value thereof; Comment: No building or site changes are proposed, and the overall design and appearance will remain compatible with surrounding properties, which will preserve neighborhood character and property values. 9. That in the nature, location, size, and site layout of the use, be a harmonious part of the district in which it is situated taking into account, among other things, prevailing shopping habits, convenience of access by prospective patrons, the physical and economic relationship of one type of use to another and characteristic groupings of uses of the district; and Comment: The expanded service to overnight guests is consistent with the R-4 zoning district’s limited commercial allowances. These limitations ensure that commercial uses remain compatible and harmonious with the district. 10. That in the location, size, intensity and site layout be such that operations will not be objectionable to nearby dwellings, by reason of noise, fumes, pollution, vibration, litter, refuse, glare or flash of lights to an extent which is greater than would be operations of any use permitted by right for that district within which the special land use is proposed to be located. Comment: As long as the service of alcoholic beverages is limited to overnight guests as part of authorized activities and functions, the special land use should not be objectionable to residents of nearby dwellings.

City of Saugatuck Planning Commission 510 Butler & 120 Mary November 14, 2025 Page 5

Section 154.092 P Service of Alcoholic Beverages Standards 1. Any new establishment seeking a license for the sale and consumption of beer, wine, or alcoholic beverages on-premises shall require special land use approval and site plan review in accordance with this division. 2. The applicant shall provide a copy of any licensing materials submitted to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. 3. The applicant shall provide a site plan illustrating the proposed location where the alcohol sales would occur, as well as all other locations where on-premises sales presently exist within a one thousand-foot radius of the closest lot lines of the subject site. 4. The proposed establishment must promote the city’s economic development goals and objectives, and must be consistent with the city’s master plan and zoning ordinance. 5. Given the character, location, development trends and other aspects of the area in which the proposed use or change in use is requested, the applicant shall demonstrate that the use will: rejuvenate an underutilized property or an identifiable area within the city; provide a unique business model, service, product, or function; add to the diversity of the to the city or to an identifiable area within the city; or, that the addition of the use or proposed change in use will be otherwise a benefit or asset to the city or identifiable area. 6. The applicant must demonstrate that the use or change in use as constructed and operated is compatible with the area in which it will be located, and will not have appreciable negative secondary effects on the area, such as: a. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic, particularly during late night or early morning hours that might disturb area residents; b. Noise, odors, or lights that emanate beyond the site’s boundaries onto property in the area on which there are residential dwellings; c. Excessive numbers of persons gathering outside the establishment; or d. Peak hours of use that add to congestion or other negative effects in the neighborhood. Comments: The applicant must demonstrate compliance with all conditions to serve alcoholic beverages. The applicant should further describe the proposed beverage services, the location of those services, hours of service, and general operational changes resulting from the proposed special land use. Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the special land use to allow the service of alcoholic beverages to overnight guests, provided the applicant satisfactorily describes the proposed beverage services, the location of those services, and the general operational changes resulting from the proposed special land use.

City of Saugatuck Planning Commission 510 Butler & 120 Mary November 14, 2025 Page 6

Please note that we recommend that any motion to approve the special land use specifically reference the findings against the special land use standards in this report. As mentioned earlier, this is a rare case in which the Planning Commission must provide a recommendation on the special land use to the City Council for final approval. The following sample motion is provided for your use: I move to recommend the special land use approved to allow service of alcoholic beverages at the Wickwood Inn bed and breakfast establishment. This motion is based on compliance with Section 154.092 P and on the positive findings related to the special land use standards of approval in Section 154.082, as documented in the staff memo dated November 14, 2025. The following conditions apply to this approval: 1. The applicant shall secure the appropriate license from the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission. 2. The proposal shall be approved by all other City Departments, as applicable.

LUCY STREET

WATER STREET

BUTLER STREET

GRIFFITH STREET

FRANCIS STREET

ST JOSEPH STREET

SPEAR STREET

MARY STREET

MAIN STREET

HOFFMAN STREET

MASON STREET

CULVER STREET

NORTH

©2024 SOUCIE HORNER, LTD.

WORK LIMITS

CAL HAR

CAL HAR

CAL HAR

CAL HAR

CAL HAR THU GRG

ARCHITECTURAL INTERIORS THU GRG

THU GRE

THU GRG

THU GRE EUO ALA THU GRE

SOUCIE HORNER, LTD. CAL HAR

208 West Kinzie Street, 4th Floor Chicago, Illinois 60654 telephone: (312) 755-0202 facsimile: (312) 755-0404

HYD LLM

CAL HAR HYD LLM CAL HAR

CLE ALN

CLE ALN

CAL HAR CLE ALN

BUX

SHED

BUX

(QTY 2) ROOMS AT SHED

(QTY 11) EXISTING ROOMS IN MAIN HOUSE

THU GRG

CER CAN

PLAN AT BUNGALOW - LEVEL 2 SCALE: 1/8" = 1'-0"

PRIMARY STRUCTURE

PROJECT NAME:

(QTY 1) ROOM AT LEVEL 2 OF BUNGALOW

THU GRG

NOTE: CONTRACTOR TO VERIFY ALL DIMENSIONS IN FIELD. DRAWING REPRESENTS DESIGN INTENT ONLY.

AMENITY SPACE

Wickwood Inn - Cottage 120 Mary Street Saugautuck, MI, 49453

CER CAN

h:\clients\wickwood inn\0-120 mary street\architecture\_drawings\_cad\plans\architecture\client_id-##-site plan.dwg

ISSUES AND REVISIONS: No. DATE: DESCRIPTION:

(QTY 2) ROOMS AT LEVEL 1 OF BUNGALOW

BUNGALOW

NOTES: 1) PRIMARY STRUCTURE - 11 PRIMARY GUEST DWELLING UNITS

SITE PLAN

2) BUNGALOW - 3 ACCESSORY GUEST DWELLING UNITS 3) SHED - 2 ACCESSORY GUEST DWELLING UNITS

SCALE: 1/8" = 1'-0"

4) TOTAL ON SITE - 16 GDU

SITE PLAN DATE: 8/21/25 SHEET NUMBER:

C-1.01 49

Liquor-Licensed Properties within ~1000 ft of 510 Butler St (Saugatuck, MI) Working list; verify MLCC license numbers and types with MLCC database.

1. The Butler — 40 Butler St 2. Sand Bar Saloon — 141 Butler St 3. Phil’s Bar and Grill — 215 Butler St 4. Pumpernickels — 202 Butler St 5. Noble Twist Taphouse — 248 Butler St 6. Marro’s Restaurant — 147 Water St 7. Wicks Park Bar & Grill — 449 Water St 8. Coral Gables (Il Forno / Crow Bar / Rathskeller / Oyster Bar) — 220 Water St 9. Bowdie’s (Chophouse) — 230 Culver St 10. Scooters Café & Pizzeria — 322 Culver St 11. Loco Burrito — 322 Culver St 12. New Holland Brewing — 201 Culver St, Unit 3 13. Isabel’s Market (Pietsch/McWebb Hospitality Group) — 236 Culver St 14. Duck Alley (Weidman Outdoors) — 220 Culver St 15. Fenn Valley Vineyards — 310 Butler St 16. Mitten Brewing Company — 329 Water St 17. Retro Boat Rentals — 730 Water St 18. The Barge (528 Water Street, LLC & Ship ’N Shore LLC) — 528 Water St 19. Marker 14, LLC — 360 Water St, Units 1–6 & 12 20. Coppercraft Distillery LLC — 360 Water St, Units 9–11

Beloved bed-and-breakfast to add five guest units in Saugatuck

Wickwood Inn has secured special use and site plan approval for a significant expansion in Saugatuck, following a meeting of the municipality's planning commission Oct. 16. The bed-and-breakfast at 510 Butler St. sought approval to incorporate two existing structures as accessory guest accommodations. The first is currently a shed, the second a bungalow on an adjacent lot at 120 Mary St. Commissioners explained the project was made possible following an amendment to the Saugatuck Zoning Ordinance, which expanded the definition and treatment of bed and breakfast establishments to recognize accessory guest buildings as a permissible component in certain districts.

The business will soon include a total of: •

4,216.8 square feet in a principal bed and breakfast building with 11 guest units

674.6 square feet in an accessory building with two accessory guest units

1,403.5 square feet in an accessory building with three accessory guest units

413 square feet in an accessory building containing storage and recreation space

The Wickwood Inn was constructed in 1937 as the home of Frank Wicks, a former mayor of Saugatuck. In 1981, Sue and Stub Louis transformed the home into Wickwood Inn — the area's first bed-and-breakfast. A decade later, Julee Rosso and her partner, Bill Miller, took over the business. Then, in 2021, it was purchased by Shea Soucie and Martin Horner, co-founders of a luxury design firm called the Soucie Horner Design Collective. Commissioners voted to approve the special land use and site plan request with five minor contingencies, such as including smoke detectors and applying to combine 510 Butler St. and 120 Mary St. Learn more at wickwoodinn.com. — Contact reporter Austin Metz atametz@hollandsentinel.com.