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Council approves sale of 20 acres on North Willowbrook; lift station, TIF and infrastructure costs discussed
Summary
Council adopted Resolution 25‑67 approving sale of 20 acres on North Willowbrook for residential development; discussion focused on a required lift station estimated at $4–6 million, use of tax‑increment reimbursement, and long‑term maintenance and service implications.
Coldwater City Council voted to adopt Resolution 25‑67 to authorize sale of 20 acres of city‑owned land on North Willowbrook to a developer proposing residential units. The council approved a related purchase/sale agreement and discussed infrastructure implications for water and sewer service.
City staff and utility staff told council members the proposed development would require a new wastewater lift station to pump flow toward existing treatment facilities. Paul (city utility representative) estimated the lift station and related work could cost roughly $4 million to $6 million, depending on soil borings and final design, and said the developer would initially pay construction costs but the city would not collect the associated tax increment until the developer’s reimbursable costs were repaid under the proposed financing arrangement. Staff explained that Brownfield/TIF mechanisms and a 4/25 agreement with the township (if applicable) are typical approaches for recouping infrastructure investment tied to new development.
Council members pressed staff on maintenance and ongoing costs. Staff said user fees charged to new customers and the additional customer base would contribute to maintenance and replacement funds for the water and wastewater system; staff described system funding as being managed at the utility level rather than by itemizing cost per lift station. Several council members raised concerns that approving incremental projects without coordinated traffic and infrastructure planning could create cumulative congestion and system burdens in the Willowbrook area.
City staff said the approved sale and associated development will open opportunity for further northward development because the lift station will provide a new conveyance route across the highway choke point. The council approved the resolution by roll‑call vote and instructed staff to proceed with the sale and necessary next steps for development approvals.
