Board approves nine-year workforce housing TIF for 36-unit Highland Lakeview Apartments

Becker County commissioners voted Aug. 11 to approve a nine‑year tax increment financing (TIF) request for Highland Lakeview Apartments, a proposed 36‑unit workforce housing project near Highland Drive in Detroit Lakes.

Developer representative Nate Hunter told the board the project was designed to follow recommendations in the county’s most recent housing study and that rising construction costs left the project financially marginal without local TIF assistance. Hunter told commissioners the workforce TIF application also seeks approvals from the city and school board before it can be finalized; county approval is one of three local consents required.

Hunter said the TIF request is for a workforce housing classification, and that state rules require the project meet local vacancy tests within a 15‑mile radius and other program criteria. Commissioners pressed on the length of the abatement and the expected timing; Hunter and city representatives said the project team planned to break ground immediately if the local approvals were secured.

Commissioners voiced broad agreement that more rental housing is needed locally and discussed keeping tax‑abatement terms measured and limited. A motion to approve the county’s resolution for the TIF carried unanimously.

The project still must receive approvals from the Detroit Lakes development authority, city council and school board before any TIF revenue mechanism can be finalized. If those consents are obtained, developers told commissioners they expect to begin site work this month.