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Tipp City council approves development services agreement with Woodard Development; officials say project could bring grocery and retail
Summary
Council approved a development services agreement with Woodard Development to phase development of a 60‑acre parcel and support the TIP Plaza area; councilmembers said the agreement advances long‑term goals including a grocery option and plaza improvements.
The Tipp City Council voted to authorize a development services agreement with Woodard Development that makes the company the city’s development partner for a multi‑phase project on a roughly 60‑acre parcel at the west edge of town and supports the long‑planned TIP Plaza work.
City Manager Eric Mack described the agreement as an outline of responsibilities between Woodard and the city; the developer will lead phased construction, with the first phase focused on retail anchors and a goal of recovering the city’s initial investment in that phase. Mack said the remainder of the property would be controlled by Woodard in later phases while the city “still has interest” and a seat at the table.
Councilmembers who spoke in favor said the agreement complements the existing TIP Plaza development and could help deliver a grocery store and other retail the community has sought. “Bringing in a developer here is essential to … getting a grocery,” Councilmember Liddy said. Another councilmember called Woodard’s commitment to Tipp City “very positive” and said the city’s Community Improvement Corporation and a panel of local professionals reviewed the agreement.
The council approved the resolution authorizing the city manager to sign the agreement. The vote was unanimous among members present.
Council members acknowledged the project is long‑term and will not produce immediate changes to the landscape, but they said the agreement positions the city to guide future decisions on site plans, phasing and public‑investment recovery. Several speakers noted the Community Improvement Corporation’s review and involvement in earlier discussions.
The resolution filed as “Resolution 25‑25” authorizes the city manager to enter into the development services agreement with Woodard Development; the resolution summary presented at the meeting said the first phase will include a retail anchor and plaza elements tied to the broader TIP Plaza effort. City staff said more detailed development plans, schedules and public notices will follow as the developer proceeds through standard permitting processes.
No members of the public spoke against the agreement during the public hearing. Councilmembers asked that staff keep residents informed as the project moves into design and permitting phases.
