SAUGATUCK, MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Jun. 14, 2025) – Score a legal victory for the City of Saugatuck in an effort to regulate floating homes in that Lakeshore community, but the battle may not be over just yet.
The city announced on Friday that the state Court of Appeals rejected several challenges by Dune Ridge to its Floating Home Ordinance. Those challenges stemmed from the municipality transferring property it owned to the private developer adjacent to the Chain Ferry dock on the west bank of the Kalamazoo River. Dune Ridge, which had docked four vacant floating homers over the past four years at that location during this ongoing lawsuit, argued that the ordinance violated the terms of a land swap agreement it had made with the city.
The appeals court decision affirmed Allegan County Circuit Court rulings that the land swap agreement didn’t preclude the city from regulating floating homes, and that the municipality was not liable on claims of negligence or misrepresentation.
“This litigation has been a difficult journey for the City, but we are pleased that the decision reflected our resolve to stand by our ordinance and City’s right and obligation to assure that shoreline uses are safe for everyone.” – Saugatuck Mayor Holly Anderson
While it was not immediately known if Dune Ridge will take the matter up with the state Supreme Court, the city claims that this Appeals Court ruling gives it the power to remove those four vacant floating homes from its current location.
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