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Board approves Pavilion Investors brownfield plan to build 275 housing units, including below-market units
Summary
The Board adopted a brownfield plan for Pavilion Investors that would enable tax-increment financing for a proposed 275-unit housing development, with a portion reserved as below-market units; commissioners and brownfield officials said the project is the first to use recent state changes to allow residential components in brownfield plans.
Kalamazoo County commissioners voted April 1 to adopt a brownfield plan for Pavilion Investors LLC that would support a proposed development of roughly 275 housing units, including a set of units designated for below-market pricing.
Jeff Haynor, representing Pavilion Investors and JTB Homes, thanked the board and said the development will include a mix of unit types and price points, sidewalks and community amenities. He said the developer intends to set aside a portion of units at below-market rates so families who would otherwise be priced out could access homeownership or rental options within the new neighborhood.
Jared Lutz of Michigan Growth Advisors (the plan’s author) and Ken Paragon, chair of the Kalamazoo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, spoke in favor of the plan. Paragon described the proposal as the first to use recent state legislation that allows residential components in brownfield packages and said the authority expects more housing projects to use the tool in the future.
Commissioners discussed affordability and the novelty of using the brownfield tool for housing. Commissioner Gisler and others praised the county’s early use of the new legislation and the brownfield authority’s work. Commissioner Morales said she abstained at a prior board discussion but supported the plan at this meeting and urged future projects to include deeper periods of affordability.
Vote and next steps: the board adopted the Pavilion Investors Lehi brownfield plan by roll call vote (9 yes). County staff and the brownfield authority will continue implementation steps including tax-increment calculations and developer agreements.
Ending: Commissioners said the plan is a test case for a new way to finance housing and urged staff and the authority to ensure long-term affordability commitments in future brownfield housing proposals.
