90 Douglas condo plan nearing mark

By Scott Sullivan
Editor
A much-revised plan to build 45 residential duplexes on 16 acres at 485 Ferry St. west of the former Haworth plant stands to win conditional Douglas Planning Commission approval Thursday, April 20.
Developer Dave Barker’s 90-home Forest Gate Condominiums on now-vacant land north of North Star Condominiums has been updated since commissioners told him Feb. 9 his revision from a Sept. 12, 2022 still was incomplete.
Notably lacking at that time, advised contracted Williams & Works planner and zoning administrator Tricia Anderson, were a site plan showing property dimensions, legal descriptions, revised master deed, detailed easements; lighting, sewer and utility line locations, written project narrative and more.
Barker’s second pass Feb. 9 changed his original from 18 5-unit multiple-family townhouse buildings to 45 2-unit attached condominiums.
The developer March 15 attended a site plan review committee meeting and April 6 responded with a third proposal adding a Ferry Street boardwalk, sidewalks and more. It meets enough concerns voiced earlier to prompt Anderson to suggest planners OK it with conditions.
Per the Douglas Master Plan, says the project narrative, “there is a structural need for more year-round residents. At the end of March, there were only two condos available for sale in Douglas and none below the $500,000 price point, signaling a need for more new housing.
“Furthermore, areas surrounding Douglas are experiencing solid economic growth which is outstripping housing supply. The proposed plan helps accomplish the city’s goals by providing high-quality residential housing and further positioning the city as place where more families can find top-tier culture, education and a strong sense of community.
“Each of our residential units,” the April 6 Forest Gate narrative goes on “will offer three bedrooms and two bathrooms across two stories, along with a 2-car garage. All units will be over 1,700 square feet of living area with garages at over 430 square feet per unit, and feature high-quality finishes like quartz countertops, chrome showerheads, and smart thermostats.
“Each building on the site will contain only two units, which will balance a sense of community along with privacy. The subject site currently has utilities directly in the adjacent streets master planned to accommodate the proposed densities. Traffic can easily be managed through the proposed three direct access points.
“The landscape plan we envision promotes a peaceful, park-like setting with several varieties of trees including spruce, pine, maple, cherry and more. There will also be a wetland habitat and nature area to promote a healthy coexistence with wildlife.
“We hope this development will be well received by the commission and look forward to creating positive change for the community,” it says.
Based on the April 6 revisions, Anderson advised planners prior to Thursday’s meeting, “We would recommend the planning commission offer a favorable recommendation of the preliminary plan to city council subject to the following conditions.
These include:

• The developer work with the Allegan County Drain Commission to satisfy stormwater management design standards.
• Upon city council approval of the final condominium plan, the applicant finalize a master deed and other documents to the satisfaction of the city attorney. A copy recorded with the county register of deeds be provided to the city prior to issuing any zoning compliance permits for any units.
• The applicant address any recommendations made by the city’s environmental consultant regarding contamination issues with the subject site.
• Upon final plan approval, the applicant secure any and all permits and approvals from the Michigan Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) department and any other needed agency prior to any site prep, grading or construction of infrastructure.
• The developer revise the current plan to place all tree plantings with Ferry Street frontage on the back of the right-of-way line on private property to minimize potential impact on underground utilities there, identify appropriate agencies or parties to whom all easements are dedicated to, and provide dimensions for all on-street parking places.
• Upon council approval of the final plan, the developer work with the city engineer to meet minimum standards for road design, inspection, approval and maintenance for all proposed public streets.
• The applicant install “No Parking” signs according to city standards during the road construction process and before any zoning permits be issued for condo units.
• The applicant provide a construction timeline satisfactory to the city engineer’s recommendation regarding the sequence of grading, installation of infrastructure, sidewalks, pedestrian pathways and landscaping.
• Upon final council approval, the developer pay all fees and escrows associated with required permits.
• The applicant adhere to and address any recommendations made by the Saugatuck Township Fire District.
• The applicant work with the planning and zoning administrator and assessor to apply for a boundary change prior to final council plan rebview.
  the Planning Commission offer a favorable recommendation of the preliminary condominium plan to the City Council, subject to the following conditions:

1. The applicant shall work with the Allegan County Drain Commission to satisfy stormwater management design standards and receive approval, prior to the City Council’s review of the final condominium plan.
2. Upon approval of the final condominium plan by the City Council, the applicant shall work with the Allegan County Drain Commission to determine the type of stormwater maintenance agreement that will be appropriate for the proposed development. The agreement must be drafted and reviewed by the appropriate attorney and engineer (depending on the type of agreement), and recorded prior to the issuance of any zoning compliance permits for any of the condominium units.
3. Upon approval of the final condominium plan by the City Council, the applicant shall finalize a Master Deed document and other condominium documents to the satisfaction of the City Attorney prior to recording with the Allegan County Register of Deeds. The recorded copy shall be provided to the City prior to the issuance of any zoning compliance permits for any of the condominium units.
4. The applicant shall address any recommendations made by the City’s environmental consultant with regard to contamination issues with the subject site, prior to the City Council’s review of the final condominium plan.
5. Upon approval of the final condominium plan by the City Council, the applicant shall secure any and all permits and approvals from EGLE or any other federal, state, or local agency, prior to any site prep, grading, or construction of infrastructure on the site.
6. The applicant shall revise the plan set to make the following changes, prior to City Council’s review of the final condominium plan: a. The applicant shall place all tree plantings with Ferry Street frontage on the back of the right-of-way line on private property to minimize the potential for negative impact on underground utilities within the right-of-way.
   b. The applicant shall provide a note on Sheet C-101 to include “THE DEVELOPER SHALL WORK WITH THE CITY” in the note that addresses the design template for future Ferry St. modifications.
   c. The applicant shall identify the appropriate agencies or parties to whom all easements are dedicated to.
   d. The applicant shall provide dimensions for all on-street parking spaces.
7. Upon the City Council’s approval of the final condominium plan, the developer shall work with the

Barker controls 50.34 acres west of the now-demolished former Haworth plant on long-ago MiRo Golf Course land and said last fall he hoped to start building as soon as spring 2023.
As proposed Forest Gate would be by rights in the city’s R-5 Multiple Residential zone with sidewalks and two roads connecting to Ferry plus another south to Wiley Road.
Barker in early 2019 signed a memorandum of understanding with then-city manager Bill LeFevere to explore developing the now-leveled former Haworth 7.1l-acre site at 200 Blue Star Hwy., land he controls north and west of it, plus 16.84 city-owned acres southwest of and contiguous to the other two lots fronting Wiley Road. That total 75-acre mixed-use proposal remains at this point conceptual.
He was also an agent in Douglas’s Summer Grove Condominiums development, plus in Saugatuck brokering the $10-million sale in 2014 of the former Presbyterian Camps’ 130 acres south of Saugatuck’s Oval Beach to Dune Ridge, LLC.