Finance committee approves Amendment 2 to Lyon Township tax‑sharing agreement, advancing $13 million in TIF projects

The Oakland County Finance Committee on July 17 approved Amendment No. 2 to the tax‑sharing agreement between Oakland County, the Charter Township of Lyon and the Lyon Township Downtown Development Authority (DDA), moving the measure to the full county board on the consent agenda.

The amendment would permit additional tax‑increment financing (TIF) capture to support 11 projects in the Lyon Township development plan, presenters said. Township representatives told the committee the funding request is for an additional $13,000,000 to complete the projects.

Why it matters: County and township officials said the TIF amendment targets infrastructure and placemaking projects that Township leaders say are needed to sustain recent growth in Lyon Township, including improvements that affect private development parcels and county property such as the Oakland Southwest Airport.

Presenters and staff framed the amendment as consistent with district guidelines. "Everything that they have presented in their plan is in keeping with the guidelines, for the district and for the legislation," said John Bridal, head of Main Street Oakland County. Bridal said Lyon Township has been "an active and eager partner" with county programs and that the amendment is expected to generate continued investment.

Township officials described a list of proposed uses for the funds. A township representative identified as Amy said the development plan includes 11 key projects and listed several priorities: completing a final segment of a Ring Road, addressing chronic flooding by cleaning a drain that township officials said has not been cleaned in "over 60 years, closer probably to a hundred years," building a trailhead to connect to the Huron Valley Trail, improving pedestrian safety and streetscape, creating a dedicated community gathering space and repairing a historic cemetery in the downtown area.

The presenters also told the committee the drain cleanout is tied to the future usability of the Oakland Southwest Airport because part of the airport property sits within the flood zone. "That affects the Oakland Southwest Airport, the future development of the Oakland Southwest Airport because that's in the flood zone also," a township representative said.

Commissioner discussion was supportive. Commissioner Powell asked for more detail about how funds would be used; after presenters outlined the project list, Powell said he was "happy to hear" the funds would support a variety of needs. Commissioner Taylor said Lyon Township is a strong example of how a DDA can foster redevelopment: "I think Lyon Township is a really good example of how a DDA works."

Committee members also noted limits on what the DDA can capture: officials said the district will not capture the Oakland County transit millage or the Oakland County Parks millage, and that capture is subject to a 50% cap. Committee members asked about oversight and reporting; presenters said the township provides reports to Main Street Oakland County and holds informational meetings twice a year.

The motion to approve Amendment No. 2 was moved by Commissioner Long and supported by Commissioner Powell. Committee members voted in favor; the chair announced, "Motion carries." The measure will be placed on the full county board's consent agenda for final action.

Details the meeting did and did not record: presenters identified project categories, the $13,000,000 additional request, and that there are 11 projects in the development plan. The transcript does not record a roll‑call vote tally or individual board votes for this motion; the committee announced the motion carried and referred the item to the full board.