Commission flags absence of formal TIF policy, urges planning commission guidance on development process

The Germantown Economic Development Commission discussed on June 9 whether the village needs clearer, written development-process guidelines and noted the absence of an operational tax-increment financing (TIF) policy, with members agreeing to defer policy decisions to the planning commission and village board.

The chair said that, according to staff and outside partners, "we do not have and nor have we ever had a true TIF policy in this village," and he recommended the EDC seek direction from the planning commission before drafting or proposing detailed policy. The chair attributed that point to conversations with Christian at the EDWC and stressed the commission must work within the code unless the code is changed.

Commissioners emphasized that the 2050 comprehensive plan and the village’s zoning rules are the guiding documents for development review. "The comp plan outlines suggested uses and densities; then you go to zoning," one commissioner said, noting that proposals are governed by those documents and market forces. Participants cited examples of parcels subjected to repeated, changing proposals over decades and said clearer guidance—such as measurable metrics or a handbook for tax-increment financing (TIF) use—could reduce confusion for applicants.

The commission did not adopt any formal policy at the meeting. Instead, members agreed to limit the EDC’s initial effort to surveying the business community and to bring development-process questions back for future discussion after the planning commission offers guidance. The chair said he will attempt to place the topic on the planning commission agenda (next meeting July 10) and report back at the EDC’s July 14 meeting.