January 17, 2025 - 📢 Update on the Brownfield TIF Project 📢
I wanted to share some new information regarding the Brownfield TIF project in Coopersville. On Thursday, during a meeting of the Ottawa County Brownfield Committee, county staff members advised that if the City of Coopersville no longer wishes to proceed with the project, the City Council should call a special meeting to rescind the resolution we passed last year.
Additionally, at our February City Council meeting, we will be revisiting the approval of the Brownfield TIF. This will be an important opportunity for further discussion and consideration. During this meeting, the city attorney will advise the Council on the potential ramifications, including any legal or financial risks, associated with rescinding the resolution we passed last year.
I’ve heard from many of you through emails, phone calls, and public comments, and I deeply value the feedback you’ve shared. Your voices are critical to this process, and I encourage everyone to stay engaged as we navigate these discussions.
At this point, I do not yet know what risks or challenges the city might face if we were to rescind the vote. The key question I have is: how much risk are we, as a community, willing to take to address the concerns surrounding this project?
If you’d like to learn more or share your thoughts, please feel free to reach out pweise@cityofcoopersville.com or tag me. Let’s continue this dialogue to ensure we’re making the best decisions for Coopersville’s future.
Letter is posted below
Q: So...reading between the lines, I take it "risks and challenges" equate to lawsuits and the city being sued by the developers? It would explain the push to move this ahead by some members of the city...
Peter: When I mentioned "risks and challenges," I was referring to the need for the City Council to carefully evaluate the potential legal, financial, and logistical implications of rescinding the prior vote on the Brownfield TIF. While legal action is a possibility in any situation involving contractual agreements or prior resolutions, it is only one factor among many that the council needs to consider.
To ensure we handle this process appropriately, Dennis has been directed to draft a resolution to rescind the prior vote, which will be discussed at our next City Council meeting (11/10). I’ve also been in communication with County Commissioner Allison Miedema and Becky Huttenga from the county to better understand the logistics of the next steps and how this aligns with the county’s timeline.
The primary focus is to make an informed decision that aligns with the community’s values and priorities while minimizing potential negative outcomes for the city. This includes understanding the potential financial impacts, the developer’s obligations, and any repercussions that could arise from changes to the project’s status.
I want to emphasize that no decision has been made yet, and any action taken by the council will follow a thorough review and discussion during our upcoming meeting. My goal is to ensure the public is fully informed and that we make decisions rooted in what’s best for Coopersville as a whole.
Please let me know if you have any further questions or concerns, I’m happy to continue the conversation.
Q: So question for you: When you say the "Brownfield Tiff" are you talking about the tax benefits this provides certain projects or are you talking about the housing development trying to utilize these tax breaks to build their development? Maybe these are separate issues but I'm looking for clarification.
Peter: Thank you for your question—it’s a great point to clarify. When I refer to the "Brownfield TIF," I’m specifically talking about the tax benefits provided through the Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF) program. This program is designed to encourage development or redevelopment of underutilized or contaminated properties by temporarily redirecting increased property taxes (from the improved property value) to cover eligible project costs, like infrastructure improvements or environmental cleanup.
In this case, the housing development is proposing to utilize these tax breaks to make their project financially feasible. While the Brownfield TIF program and the housing development are technically separate, they’re closely linked in this instance, as the developer is seeking to use this specific tool to support their project. They have said that without this, they don't think the project could continue.
I hope this helps clarify the distinction! Let me know if you have any additional questions.
