Backlash puts on hold proposed Sugden Lake work

Plans by the Willow Lake Estates Homeowners Association to construct a boat ramp, dock system, and park along the shore of Sugden Lake have stalled following opposition expressed by some area property owners.

The association approached the White Lake Township Planning Commission in June to request a special land use permit in order to complete the project at the southwest end of Woodstone Court. However, opposition from members of the Friends of Sugden Lake Association and others persuaded the Planning Commission to table approval of the project.

“To my understanding, the homeowners association has not come back to the Planning Commission for a new submittal for approval,” White Lake Planning Commission Chairman Steve Martinko said. “It will be an extensive process to move forward … They decided to take the recommendation from the board and reconfigure the details.”

Tim Quaintance and Brett Olson of the Willow Lakes Estates Homeowners Association told the commission that property owners were told they would have a park and access to the lake when they purchased their property from the original developers. The association had hoped to “pick up where the developer left off,” they told the Planning Commission.

At the time, the association was hoping to have the land use request approved before the association’s permit from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) expired in July.

Those opposing the request said they were concerned about safety on the water and environmental impacts from added boats on the 66-acre lake.

Matt Grisius, president of the Friends of Sugden Lake Association, told the commission that the lake is already crowded. The proposed dock would allow for 11 boat slips. There are about 89 boats on the lake, according to residents at the meeting.

Grisius said it’s his understanding that the Willow Lake Estates association has lost its permit for the proposed project that was issued by the DEQ due to time restraints. He said he isn’t aware of any further proposals.

Quaintance, who was reached at his place of work yesterday, Tuesday, Sept. 18, said he has since moved from the area and isn’t aware of any progress on the project.

Olson said in June that the association was trying to find a peaceful solution to the problem and that more information is needed to move forward. He couldn’t be reached for comment yesterday.