Judge shoots down Saugatuck Dunes deal

SAUGATUCK, Mich. (WOOD) - A federal judge rejected an agreement between Saugatuck Township and the owner of the Saugatuck Dunes on Tuesday.

In a ruling issued on Tuesday, Judge Paul Maloney said he will not sign off on the agreement because it illegally ties the hands of future township boards.

The judge said two sections of the agreement violate federal law:

The first problematic section would ban Saugatuck Township from ever rezoning the lakeshore land in question. The second part would prevent the township from rejecting site plans presented by developers.

The township supervisor told 24 Hour News 8 that the judge's ruling was a surpise, but would not comment further until consulting legal council.

The 320 acres of land has been in dispute for years, prompting a lawsuit from developer Aubrey McClendon against the township and state charges against two Saugatuck Township clerks after a botched millage vote recount connected to the property.

Plans to develop the property included a 25-suite hotel, condos, a golf course and a marina.

Judge Maloney's decision effectively stalls all development plans for the land -- a major victory for those hoping to preserve the dunes.

Various environmental groups and organizations have been fighting to block development from the beginning.

"I think people are going to be very pleased with this decision, and it's very heartening to people who have worked so hard to really adhere to locally determined zoning," said President of the Saugtauck Dunes Costal Alliance David Swan. "So I think it's a real shot in the arm to local people -- and it's not just local. It's a federal judge, so it has federal implications up and down the coastline of west Michigan."

The judge said if the township and development company Singapore Dunes LLC -- which represents McClendon -- can fix these problemes, they can come before the judge again to ask him to approve a new deal.

The groups will have to hold public meetings on a new agreement once it is reached.