Township ZBA Grants Coastal Alliance Standing!

The Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance celebrates Saugatuck Township’s Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision to grant the Alliance standing to challenge the special approval use marina permit the Township issued to NorthShore of Saugatuck in 2017.

Today’s ZBA decision is part of a years-long lawsuit with Saugatuck Township over the marina permit — a permit that clearly violates the Township’s zoning ordinances. The issue at stake is whether the Coastal Alliance has legal standing to challenge the permit — a case that reached the Michigan Supreme Court.

In July 2022, the Supreme Court issued a decision that changed Michigan law and clarified the criteria for standing. As a result, the Supreme Court sent the case back to Allegan County Circuit Court for further consideration.

In April 2023, the Circuit Court directed Saugatuck Township’s Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to determine whether the Coastal Alliance meets the Michigan Supreme Court’s new criteria for standing. Consistent with the Supreme Court decision, the judge directed the ZBA to consider new, relevant evidence that for good reason was not available in 2018.

“We appreciate the hard work and engagement of the ZBA – and the significant time they spent over the past many months,” said Coastal Alliance Board Chair Bobbie Gaunt. “This is a monumental milestone for the Alliance and our members – as well as public participation and engagement.”