Began counting 11-23-05
Lake Street Commons
...an uncommon get-a-way
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| to Reset the HDC and Districts Click Here to sign our petition |
| Before |
| After |
in using modern energy efficient materials that add both visual beauty as well as
value to home ownership. This is all being overshadowed by a self-ruled, 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to contain key historical content, (Schoolhouse, Churches, Private Homes, Village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 misinformed
and fraudulent historic commission and Saugatuck zoning administration.
value to home ownership. This is all being overshadowed by a self-ruled, 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 misinformed
and fraudulent historic commission and Saugatuck zoning administration.
| Today |
from rain, snow and ice that had destroyed the original roof. (3 foot tree was growing out of
it.) The HDC was aware of the awning during design stages as far back as 2003.
Now, the Historic Commission has stated that the awning blocks the view of the front of the
home.
All of the components are visible including what has remained of the original hip-shade that
stretched from one side of the home to the other. The middle section was removed in 1954.
As you can see, the entire front of the home is visible and the awning does not block the
hip-shade roof line nor the front of the home.
The HDC has approved the change in structure of the home several times as shown by the
picture of the home when it was purchased by us in 2002. IT has had drastic changes
through the HDC and now they refuse to finish the job they started.
The upper deck was approved by the HDC with the accepted knowledge the an awning was
to follow. The HDC has now changed their minds and created a 'bait-and-switch scenario
where nobody can win. Again, the citizens have no recourse and the City Council will not
step in and temper their decisions. They have recently claimed ignorance which in reality is
neglegence along with the City Manager.
it.) The HDC was aware of the awning during design stages as far back as 2003.
Now, the Historic Commission has stated that the awning blocks the view of the front of the
home.
All of the components are visible including what has remained of the original hip-shade that
stretched from one side of the home to the other. The middle section was removed in 1954.
As you can see, the entire front of the home is visible and the awning does not block the
hip-shade roof line nor the front of the home.
The HDC has approved the change in structure of the home several times as shown by the
picture of the home when it was purchased by us in 2002. IT has had drastic changes
through the HDC and now they refuse to finish the job they started.
The upper deck was approved by the HDC with the accepted knowledge the an awning was
to follow. The HDC has now changed their minds and created a 'bait-and-switch scenario
where nobody can win. Again, the citizens have no recourse and the City Council will not
step in and temper their decisions. They have recently claimed ignorance which in reality is
neglegence along with the City Manager.
| 790 Lake Street - Picture taken from existing 8mm home movie film - 1952 |
| 790 Lake Street -September- 2002 Moving in Day |
| 790 Lake Street -September- 2002 Moving in Day |
| This isn't about an awning, this is about returning a roof over our heads ! This is about living in Saugatuck, America and First Ammendment Rights. The 'Hill' and Douglas have beautiful neighborhoods, we want to be part of that too. |
| Thanks You for your support on this important Saugatuck issue. |