FAQs on the North Shores of Saugatuck’s Proposed Boat Ramp

1. Why is the Coastal Alliance objecting to the proposed boat ramp?

The proposed violates many of the same Michigan laws and poses many of the same hazards as its proposed marina, which EGLE denied in February 2024. It doesn’t matter how boat traffic enters the river (a marina or a boat ramp) – it matters where and how many.

• The proposed boat ramp would add significant yacht traffic at the River Mouth and create significant adverse impacts that are prohibited by Michigan’s Inland Lakes & Streams Act – impacts EGLE cited when it denied the marina permit.

• The resulting yacht traffic would add navigational hazards that would adversely impact the area’s commercial fishing and sailing businesses – a vital part of our local economy.

• The proposed boat ramp will likely have significant effects on the public and tribal uses of the river, and thus infringe on the public trust rights to navigate and fish.

• Other uses of the water, including recreation, fish and wildlife, and aesthetics, will also be affected.

• Their approach – breaking up a large project into pieces – is against Michigan law.

In addition, the proposed boat ramp violates the marina permit North Shores received from Saugatuck Township in 2017 as well as Township zoning (details below).

2. What can I do to support the Coastal Alliance to stop this boat ramp?

We need every Coastal Alliance member, donor, friend, and supporter to attend EGLE’s public meeting about the boat ramp on August 13 and submit a public comment on or before August 23. Here are instructions, including tips for what to say.

3. How does the proposed boat ramp violate the marina permit North Shores received in 2017 and Township zoning?

The Township has expressly prohibited this project as a condition of North Shores’ prior permit, which is currently the subject of an ongoing lawsuit with the Coastal Alliance. 

In April 2017, the Saugatuck Township Planning Commission approved North Shores’ application to build a marina at the proposed boat launch location. As part of the permit, a limiting condition states that no “boat launch facilities and no in and out boat services” are allowed at the site. 

The Township has recently indicated that it believes this permit is still active as litigation is ongoing. Therefore, as a condition of that permit, North Shores’ proposed boat launch is prohibited. 

In addition, the proposed boat ramp is prohibited in the Critical Dune Area Overlay District. According to the Township’s Zoning Map, the proposed location falls within the Critical Dune Area Overlay District. Under the Township’s Ordinance, this overlay district's purpose is “to minimize the adverse effects of development on existing sand dune areas and vegetation.” [Article 5: Overlay Districts 5.2(A) Purpose.]  

The ordinance permits only two uses within the overlay area: 

1) single-family dwellings with accessory buildings and structures and 

2) minor home occupations. 

Under special uses, the township may authorize parks and preserves and outdoor low-intensity recreational uses that are non-commercial. The ordinance strictly prohibits all other uses [Article 5: Overlay Districts 5.60(D)(3).]

Finally, the zoning ordinance violates the Township’s Landscaping and Environmental Requirements, which require a 25-foot natural vegetation buffer along inland streams and wetlands [Article 11: Landscaping and the Environment 11.60(B)]. Within the 25-foot buffer zone, roads, driveways, and parking lots are all prohibited, thus prohibiting a boat launch comprised of an impervious roadway.

4. What does North Shores’ proposed boat ramp entail?

North Shores’ proposed project is to build a boat ramp measuring 23 feet wide and 104 feet long along the shore of the Kalamazoo River. The project requires regrading and shaping 120 cubic yards of sand at the site. In its joint permit application with the state, North Shores indicates that this project type falls into the marina/mooring facility category. This ramp is intended for future property owners in North Shores’ planned but uncompleted development. It also could be used by the 66 owners of NorthShore Garages.