405 Park, Public Hearing for a Special Land Use Request

MEMORANDUM City of Saugatuck Planning Commission Memo Date: Request: Address: Parcel: Lot Size: Complete: City Staff:

April 10, 2026 Special Land Use 405 Park Street 03-57-550-025-00 0.71 acres Yes Grayson Moore

Meeting Date: Applicant: Project Name: Plan Date: Zoning District: Recommendation: Consultant:

April 16, 2026 Acme Pool Construction Casa Loma Pool July 1, 2025 Resort District C-4 Conditional Approval David M. Jirousek, AICP

Overview The applicant requests special land use and site plan approval for the installation of a pool within the waterfront yard of the property. In the C-4 Resort District, swimming pools, tennis courts, and other recreational facilities oriented to the clientele of a motel or hotel are only authorized as special land uses. This memorandum provides a review of the proposal for compliance with all applicable zoning standards and requirements, including the special land use standards in Section 154.082 and the site plan requirements in Section 151.060. Background and Zoning Review All C-4 zoning district requirements related to the pool have been satisfied. However, the site plan indicates a six-foot privacy fence along the north and south portions of the property, extending to the waterfront. The height and style of the fence do comply with Section 154.143 (F)(6): (6) Waterfront. Fences located within 25 feet of the shore of any lake, river or stream shall not be greater than four feet in height and shall be wrought iron, open mesh, chain link, lattice, slatted or similar type fencing provided that a minimum ratio of six parts open space to one part solid material is maintained

102 Butler Street  P.O. Box 86  Saugatuck, MI 49453 Phone: 269-857-2603  Website: www.saugatuckcity.com

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A gazebo is shown near the waterline within the 25-foot waterfront setback. Compliance with Chapter 151, Flood Damage Prevention, must also be considered. Section 151.04 prohibits development within areas of special flood hazard, defined as lands within the floodplain subject to a one percent or greater annual chance of flooding. The boundary of the special flood hazard area is identified at the 583-foot contour. While the pool area is located outside of this boundary, the proposed gazebo appears to fall within the restricted area. Approval of the pool and associated site plan should exclude the privacy fence and gazebo. Revisions to these elements may be addressed through a future administrative review. 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: The location, dimensions, and design of the proposed pool are compatible with surrounding properties and existing development. 2. Be consistent with and promote the intent and purpose of this chapter; Comment: The proposed pool is consistent with the intent and purpose of the zoning ordinance and is not expected to result in adverse impacts to nearby properties. 3. Be compatible with the natural environment and conserve natural resources and energy; Comment: The pool is compatible with natural resources, as it is located outside of the 25foot waterfront setback and special flood hazard area, and it complies with all applicable lot coverage and dimensional requirements. 4. Be consistent with existing and future capabilities of public services and facilities affected by the proposed use; Comment: The installation of the pool will not adversely affect the capacity or provision of public services and facilities.

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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 pool will not negatively impact the health, safety, or general welfare of nearby residents, businesses, or landowners. 6. Not create any hazards arising from storage and use of inflammable fluids; Comment: No hazards are anticipated from the use or storage of materials associated with the pool, and no flammable materials will be present. 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 pool will not interfere with pedestrian or vehicular circulation, as it is located within the rear waterfront yard. 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: The pool, along with associated hardscaping and landscaping, is not expected to negatively impact adjacent land uses. The improvements are anticipated to enhance the overall appearance and value of the property. 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 proposed pool will be a harmonious addition to the area and is not expected to result in negative impacts to the surrounding neighborhood. 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.

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Comment: The pool will not generate objectionable external effects on adjacent properties or nearby landowners. Site Plan Standards of Approval The following standards for site plan review and approval apply to the project per Section 154.063. Findings related to each standard are provided for consideration by the Planning Commission. A. All elements of the site plan shall be harmoniously and efficiently organized in relation to topography, the size and type of lot, the character of adjoining property and the type and size of the buildings. The site will be so developed as not to impede the normal and orderly development or improvement of surrounding property for uses permitted in this chapter. Comment: All elements of the site plan, including the pool, hardscaping, and landscaping, are appropriately designed and comply with applicable standards. The proposal will not impede the normal and orderly development of surrounding properties. B. The landscape shall be preserved in its natural state, insofar as practical, by removing only those areas of vegetation or making those alterations to the topography which are reasonably necessary to develop the site in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. Comment: The pool is proposed within an area that is already developed, and the associated hardscaping and landscaping are expected to enhance the overall appearance of the site. C. The site plan shall provide reasonable visual and sound privacy for all dwelling units located therein. Fences, walks, barriers and landscaping shall be used, as appropriate, to accomplish these purposes. Comment: The site plan includes privacy fencing intended to protect the interests of both property users and adjacent landowners. However, as noted, restrictions apply to fencing within 25 feet of the waterfront and must be addressed for compliance. D. All buildings or groups of buildings shall be arranged so as to permit necessary emergency vehicle access as required by the Fire Department. Comment: If applicable, approval of the site plan amendment is contingent upon approval of the Fire Department. E. There shall be provided a pedestrian circulation system which is separated from the vehicular circulation system. In order to ensure public safety, special pedestrian measures, such as crosswalks, crossing signals and other such facilities may be required in the vicinity of schools, playgrounds, local shopping areas and other uses which generate a considerable amount of pedestrian traffic. All federal, state, and local barrier free requirements shall be met.

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Comment: This standard is not applicable. The improvements have no impact on the overall pedestrian circulation system. F. The arrangement of public or common ways for vehicular and pedestrian circulation shall be connected to existing or planned streets and pedestrian or bicycle pathways in the area. Streets and drives which are part of an existing or planned street pattern serving adjacent development shall be of a width appropriate to the traffic volume they will carry and shall have a dedicated right-of-way equal to that specified in the City’s land use plan. Comment: This standard is not applicable. No changes to vehicle or pedestrian access are proposed. G. All streets shall be developed in accordance with city specifications, unless developed as a private road. Comment: This standard is not applicable. No streets are proposed. H. Appropriate measures shall be taken to ensure that removal of surface waters will not adversely affect neighboring properties or the public storm drainage system. Provisions shall be made to accommodate storm water, prevent erosion and the formation of dust. The use of detention/retention ponds may be required. Surface water on all paved areas shall be collected at intervals so that it will not obstruct the flow of vehicular or pedestrian traffic, create puddles in paved areas or create erosion problems. Comment: The City may require review of the drainage plan by the City Engineer to ensure that the proposed hardscaping and pool location do not adversely affect adjacent property. I. All loading and unloading areas and outside storage areas, including areas for the storage of trash, which face or are visible from residential districts or public thoroughfares, shall be screened by an opaque wall or landscaped screen not less than six feet in height. (See §§ 154.142 through 154.144). Comment: Not applicable. J. Exterior lighting shall be arranged so that it is deflected away from adjacent properties and so that it does not impede the vision of traffic along adjacent streets. Flashing or intermittent lights shall not be permitted. Comment: No additional lighting is proposed. K. In approving the site plan, the Planning Commission may recommend that a bond or other financial guarantee of ample sum be furnished by the developer to ensure compliance for such requirements as drives, walks, utilities, parking, landscaping and the like (see § 154.173).

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Comment: A financial guarantee is not necessary. Recommendation Staff recommends approval of the special land use for the installation of a pool, along with the associated site plan amendment, with conditions. A sample motion is included below. I move to approve special land use and associated site plan for the proposed pool at 405 Park Street based on the satisfaction of special land use standards in Section 154.082 and the site plan requirements in Section 151.060 as documented in the April 10, 2026, staff report. Approval is contingent upon the following: 1. Approval is secured from all applicable City Departments and the Fire Department, if necessary. 2. The pool shall comply with State Construction Code requirements related to automatic coverings and enclosure fencing, if required. 3. Approval excludes the proposed six-foot privacy fence within the 25-foot waterfront setback and the gazebo within the special flood hazard area and the 25-foot waterfront setback.

Josh, Below are the answers to the questions. There are no anticipated changes to how the property has historically been utilized. Docks -Unsalted Boat Rental will continue to operate from the North face and first two docks, as they have the past several years. They are provided 14 parking spots for their use. Remaining docks – 2 will be made available for transient use, while the others will not be rented. No utilities are provided at this time. Lodge building – 3rd floor continues to be occupied by the property and resort manager Lodge building – 2nd floor will made available for rental in the fall of 2026. It has capacity for 4 guests Lodge building – 1st floor. This is the club house space. The renovation of this space will occur over the spring / summer of 2026. We do not anticipate it’s use in 2026. In 2027 it will be available for use by resort guests. Guest building – 1st unit has available space for 2 guests. It will be made available for rent in the fall of 2026 Guest building – 2nd unit has available space for 4 guests. It will be made available for rent in the fall of 2026 We are not planning to rent out the living spaces until we have completed the ongoing renovation work. Grounds and pool area – Upon completion of the pool, a fence with a secure gate, will be installed from the NE corner of the lodge building across the East dock to restrict access to the clubhouse, grounds and pool area. There will also be a gate installed at the stairs leading to the 3rd floor and guest building. Only resort guests will have access to the grounds and pool area. Grounds and Clubhouse use – There is no anticipated event activity planned for 2026. In 2027, upon completion of the planned renovations, including the pool area, we anticipate resuming the hosting of small private events. Those events will be limited in size to 40 guests or up to 50 guests if they also rent the lodging spaces. In no instance will the combination of resort guests and event attendees exceed 50 people. Events could include small private weddings, retirement socials, graduation celebrations, or small corporate functions. There are no events advertised or booked at this time. It is, however, a future possibility. Sincerely, Dan Dan Cook, CPCU, CIC, ARM, AMIM, AAI TrueNorth Companies Principal, Practice Leader | Transportation

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