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County committee approves $1.9 million Brownfield TIF for Carlisle Townhomes in Pontiac
Summary
Oakland County planning staff presented a Brownfield plan to support demolition and construction of 19 townhomes, including permanent supportive housing units and a small community center; the finance committee approved a $1.9 million tax-increment financing ask with a 20-year payback period.
The Oakland County Finance Committee voted to approve a Brownfield plan and tax-increment financing (TIF) request for the Carlisle Townhomes project at 204 West New York Street in the City of Pontiac.
Brad (Bridal) Hanson of the county Brownfield program, appearing with Oakland County Planning Division staff, told the committee the project would replace a former school building (which staff said is beyond repair) with 19 townhome units, a 500-square-foot community center intended for after-school activities and resident education, and a playground.
Hanson said the developer — in partnership with Community Housing Network — asked the county to capture incremental property tax revenues to reimburse demolition, public infrastructure improvements and gap financing. The TIF request presented to the committee was $1,900,000 with a 20-year payback period. Staff described the housing mix as affordable/attainable, identifying 11 units dedicated to permanent supportive housing and additional units at 60% of area median income (the presentation referenced "6 8 units" at 60% AMI; transcript wording was unclear on the exact count).
Commissioners asked several clarifying questions. One commissioner confirmed there was no controversy about demolishing the existing structure; staff said the site had not been used as a school for some time and was privately owned by a church that had vacated the building. Another asked who would be responsible for operating and maintaining the proposed 500-square-foot community center; county staff said they did not have a final management plan and pledged to follow up with the developer and report back.
Commissioner remarks framed the project as addressing Pontiac's shortfall of affordable housing. A commissioner cited a city study estimating a need for about 2,300 affordable units in the city and said the county's participation on this project would help expand attainable housing supply.
The committee moved and seconded the Brownfield approval (motion by Commissioner Powell, supported by Commissioner Smith Charles) and recorded a 6-0 vote in favor. Staff indicated next steps include ensuring detailed project and management plans are in the Brownfield record and confirming long-term maintenance responsibilities for the community center.
Provenance and scope
The Brownfield plan presentation and discussion were recorded during the committee's economic development items and included Q&A from commissioners about unit mix, site history and facility management. The committee's approval authorizes county participation in the TIF; any further steps tied to project financing, building permits or developer agreements will proceed through the usual planning and permitting channels and related county oversight mechanisms.
Quotations
"The 19 units will all be affordable or attainable," Brad Hanson said, adding that "11 dedicated units for permanent supportive housing" were part of the plan. Commissioners asked about community center management; Hanson said he would follow up with the project team and report back.
Outlook
County staff placed follow-up items on the record, including obtaining a clear management and maintenance plan for the community center and confirming the affordability mix. The Brownfield approval enables the project to proceed to the next administrative and permitting steps.
Sources: Oakland County Planning Division/Brownfield program presentation to the Finance Committee; remarks by Community Housing Network referenced during the presentation.
