repeal-city-of-saugatuck-ordinance-152-0

The Citizens of Saugatuck have given up their right to freedom of expression in home ownership and design while being overshadowed by a self-ruled, self-interpretive and quasi-judicial group of individuals. The HDC continues to act in a self-righteous and a close minded fashion and not in the interest of the homeowner. In most cases, those on the HDC are not residents of a historic district.

The HDC continues to look toward the 'Hill' for additional historical districts but find no takers there, The Lake Street District does not welcome them either. OUr signature numbers prove this out.

No longer are its citizens able to accompany ones home with value added components as our forefathers once did. Citizens require freedom to repair their homes without the jurisdiction of an arbitrarily administered group of individuals appointed by a City Council. City Hall is further ill equipped to establish solid design guidelines and methods to preserve our properties and have no more expertise than the HDC. The residents of Saugatuck demand that it return itself back to a more relaxed, neighborly culture as it has been for over 100 years. The 'Hill has endured for over a hundered years and finds no interest in the HDC as so do the families on the 'flats', notably Lake Street and the downtown homes.

The Saugatuck Historic Commission has continued to rule in a capricious and arbitrary manner, causing irreparable spiritual and financial harm to its Citizens. The problem with Saugatuck's HDC is that however well-intentioned they may be, they are continually untrained, inexperienced and ill equipped to pass the sorts of judgments that they are empowered to render. Their power is greater than City Council in most matters and ultimately affect tax base, city design and overall growth.

The HDC has continually targeted citizens that cost both the City of Saugatuck and its own homeowners financial burden in legal fees both privately and through its own tax base.

The City Council must concentrate on Citizen values and rights. One need only view our Sister City, Douglas, that has a well formed historical view of itself and continues to contain key historical content, (Schoolhouse, Churches, Private Homes, Village Hall, Library, Dutchers Baseball Team). Individual homeowners continue to build in the surrounding styles, increasing home values, without the burden of a historic commission.