Saugatuck dunes: tentative plan passed

SAUGATUCK, Mich. (WOOD) - A tentative plan that would allow a hotel and some homes to be built on what is mostly open space now in Saugatuck was approved Friday.

Just days after an over-capacity crowd of more than 500 people crammed into a high school room, Saugatuck officials saw a full house in the Saugatuck High School gym where the public commented on the proposed deal to develop on land owned by developer Aubrey McClendon.

A least a dozen officers were present, keeping a close eye on the gym.

McClendon will now have to submit a specific plan that will have to go through the planning commission review process before construction begins.

The agreement passed is part of a settlement that will end a federal lawsuit over the land and zoning.