Commission approves three Neighborhood Enterprise Zone certificates for infill homebuilding

The Muskegon City Commission approved three neighborhood enterprise zone (NEZ) certificates during public hearings for new residential construction projects intended to support infill development.

1542 Adams Street (15-year NEZ): Jocelyn Hines, the city’s development analyst, presented a 15-year NEZ certificate request for new construction at 1542 Adams Street by Stevens Homes and Investments (developer: Steve Benedick). Benedick described the homes as aimed at “move-up” and two-income buyers rather than very low-income households; he said the particular unit covered by the NEZ would sell in the mid‑$200,000 range. Commissioners asked about unit pricing and affordability. The commission closed the public hearing and approved the 15-year NEZ certificate, authorizing city signatures on the certificate and resolution.

397 Marquette Avenue (15-year NEZ): Hines also presented a 15-year NEZ certificate for 397 Marquette Avenue proposed by LRS Enterprises LLC (developer Ruben Briggs). Briggs said the homes will be single-family construction with some ADA-grade, single-level units and that he is purchasing vacant lots rather than displacing existing residents. Commissioners praised the investment and the developer’s transparency. The commission approved the 15-year certificate and authorized signature by the clerk and mayor.

303 Terrace Pointe Circle (12-year NEZ; clerical error case): Hines described a more complicated case for 303 Terrace Pointe Circle. The homeowner had applied for an NEZ certificate in 2023 but, the city said, the application was not processed due to an internal clerical lapse after it was submitted to the county assessor. The current ownership is split between a son who homesteads the property in Muskegon and parents who are Florida residents; staff said the State Tax Commission will make final determinations on qualification and that split ownership could raise state-level issues. Despite concerns from some commissioners about the irregular timeline and ownership split, the commission voted to approve a 12-year NEZ certificate for the property and authorized signatures; staff cautioned that the state tax commission may reject or alter the certificate when it reviews the case.

Context and caveats: Hines noted the Terrace Pointe incident highlighted process gaps and the need to track NEZ applications more closely; staff said they will review internal checkpoints. Commissioners emphasized they were acting in part because applicants had evidence of timely submission in 2023 and that the error was not applicant-created. The state tax commission’s final approval is required for NEZ certificates to take effect, and staff said the city will follow through with documentation to state reviewers.

Votes and procedural notes: Each public hearing closed with motions to approve the NEZ certificates; roll-call votes on the three items were recorded as affirmative by the commissioners present. The commission authorized the clerk and mayor to sign certificates and resolution documents on each item.