Historic District Commission

Saugatuck Historic District Commission meetings are held at Saugatuck City Hall, 102 Butler Street, Saugatuck, MI 49453 at 6:00 p.m. on the 1st Thursday of each month unless otherwise noted.

The City of Saugatuck Historic District Commission (HDC) is a seven member commission with an expertise in historic preservation or historic architecture that makes quasi-judiciary decisions on design review for proposed exterior work in the designated historic district. Commission members are residents of the City of Saugatuck appointed by the Mayor with City Council approval to serve two-year terms.

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HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION – 3 Year Terms
CODE § 152.06: (A) Creation. In order to execute the purposes of this chapter, the Saugatuck Historic District Commission was established on December 14, 1981.
(B) Membership. The Commission shall consist of seven members who are residents of the City of Saugatuck, and shall be appointed by the Mayor with approval of the City Council. A majority of the members shall have a clearly demonstrated interest in or knowledge of historic preservation, and, if available, either reside in or own property in the historic district. The Commission shall include a member nominated by a local preservation organization, if available, a licensed architect, registered in the State of Michigan, qualified in the design, rehabilitation and construction of historic structures, if available. (1) Terms of office. Members of this Commission shall serve for terms of three years. The terms of all commissioners commence on the first day of the month established by the City Council as the beginning of member terms, with no more than three member terms commencing in a single calendar year. Members may be reappointed after their terms expire.
(2) Vacancies. In the event of a vacancy on the Commission, interim appointments shall be made within 60 days by the Mayor with approval of the City Council to complete the unexpired term of the position.

Board Members

Timothy Straker - Chair
Term Expires - 08/01/21

Nico Leo - Vice Chair
Term Expires - 08/01/22

John Cannarsa
Term Expires - 08/01/23

Jennifer Davenport
Term Expires - 08/01/22

Garnet Lewis
Term Expires - 11/01/21

Daniel Pannozzo
Term Expires - 08/01/23

Keith Paterson
Term Expires - 08/01/21

Photo by Russ Wilkinson

What is the difference between the City of Saugatuck Historic District Commission and the Saugatuck-Douglas History Center?

Other than a shared interest in history and architecture, the two entities are completely separate. The Saugatuck Historic District Commission is a municipal commission responsible for reviewing proposed work to the exterior of resources (typically buildings) in the City's Historic District to determine if the work meets the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Guidelines for Rehabilitation. Designating an area as a local historic district is one of the few ways a community can provide legal protection for its historic resources.

The Saugatuck-Douglas History Center (SDHC), formerly known as the Historical Society, was founded in 1986 as a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation with the mission to preserve local history and inspire learning to inform and improve our community. The SDHC operates the Saugatuck-Douglas History Museum in Saugatuck and the Old School House History Center in downtown Douglas. The Center's programs, exhibits and activities seek to preserve and interpret all facets of Saugatuck-Douglas area history and share these with their members and the public.