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Saugatuck Township seeks due-diligence lease for city's former landfill to develop cross-country trails
Summary
The Saugatuck Township Parks and Recreation Commission, represented by Ken Butler, has proposed a due-diligence agreement to assess leasing the city's former landfill for cross-country running trails; staff recommended approving the redline agreement to allow the Township to conduct assessments while the city retains final decision authority.
The Saugatuck City Council heard a proposal at its Oct. 9 workshop for a due-diligence lease that would let the Saugatuck Township Parks and Recreation Commission assess the city's former landfill as a site for cross-country running trails.
Ken Butler, vice chair/treasurer of the Township Parks Commission, told the council the commission is interested in leasing the parcel to develop and maintain trails. Staff summarized a draft redline due-diligence agreement the Township and Township Board proposed; staff recommended the council approve the presented redline so the Township can carry out environmental and feasibility assessments while preserving the city's final authority over the parcels.
Why it matters: the landfill site's limited allowable uses and the potential for community recreation mean assessments are needed to determine contamination risk, grading and long-term maintenance. The redline agreement is designed to permit study while keeping the City's decision rights.
No formal lease or final approval was recorded at the workshop. The redline due-diligence agreement would allow the Township to proceed with assessments; any lease or easement would require a future City Council decision.
Next steps: staff recommended approving the redline agreement and said they would return any revised agreement or a formal lease for council action if assessments support proceeding.
