SAUGATUCK — Saugatuck is moving forward with a proposal from ODC Network for unused airport property in Saugatuck Township, but some residents are less than thrilled with the process.
The city bought the land east of I-196 near 63rd Street and 134th Avenue decades ago in hopes of hosting an airport, but plans never came to fruition, according to prior reporting from The Sentinel. Plans for a public golf course on the land in 2002 also never developed. Other uses previously proposed for the site include a sports complex and a park.
The proposal from ODC intends to preserve the green space of the property, which totals about 170 acres, while increasing accessibility for residents and visitors. The plan calls for permanent legal conservation, a defined trail system, a scenic overlook, a new trailhead with a site map and an established parking area.
The project is expected to cost $130,000, which includes $40,000 for parking, $35,000 for invasives and habitat restoration, $20,000 for the trailhead, $20,000 for a conservation easement and $15,000 for trail development and signage.
Additional costs could include $15,000 for a security gate and $30,000 for the overlook.
Why are community members upset?
Although the topic wasn't on the agenda for the Monday, July 8, meeting of Saugatuck City Council, several community members discussed it during public comment. Nineteen pages of a “petition to pause” with signatures from 121 individuals were also submitted.
The petition asks Saugatuck City Council to pause all action related to the property “until such time as the citizens of Saugatuck can be surveyed on their views."
The petition has signatures from 75 residents, organizers said, with the remainder from nearby locals, tourists and others.
Saugatuck resident Joe Leonatti signed the petition, even though he's suggested a similar use in the past.
His concern comes “from seeing councilmembers, with their own agenda, try to push something through without the taxpayers understanding all the implications and costs going forward.”
“To me it is simple,” Leonatti wrote in an email. “Determine the value of the property and suggest best end use. (It may indeed be a park)."
But some commenters rejected the petition, saying those distributing it were overlooking the work that's already been done.
"Normal communities would be thankful for this work, (but) not ours," said resident Glenna DeYoung. "A small group of negative players spread misinformation and are certainly not being transparent themselves. Who circulated the petition to pause? They weren't signed. Who was sending postcards spreading misinformation? If they stand by these things, then come out publicly."
DeYoung said many of the people she spoke to who signed the petition were under the false impression the city was selling the property.
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City Manager Ryan Cummins said the city received donated funds to cover the $130,000 price tag, and next steps are currently underway.
“ODC is planning on some trail defining in the fall,” Cummins wrote to The Daily via email. “Installation of a parking lot, signage, and possible overlook are planned for the spring. After construction is complete, invasives treatment will occur.”
— Contact reporter Austin Metz at ametz@hollandsentinel.com.
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