Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Brownfield Termination topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Holland council votes to terminate brownfield reimbursement agreement for Black River Flats
Summary
The Holland City Council voted unanimously July 1 to terminate the amended brownfield reimbursement agreement for Black River Flats after staff said the developer failed to submit required reports for two years; the property will return to full taxable status and held funds will move into the local brownfield revolving fund.
Mayor Nathan Box presided over a public hearing July 1 before the council voted to terminate the amended brownfield reimbursement agreement tied to Black River Flats after staff said the developer repeatedly failed to provide required annual certifications and reports.
City Manager Keith Van Beek told the council the agreement originally aimed to secure affordable housing by reimbursing a portion of infrastructure costs if the developer annually demonstrated that a set percentage of units were rented to households at or below 80% of area median income. "They haven't turned in the reports," Van Beek said, and the city has now withheld reimbursements for two years.
Van Beek recommended termination, explaining that if the council ends the agreement the property will revert to full taxable status and any money the city has held would be deposited into the local Brownfield revolving fund, consistent with the original plan and state law. He said the cited failures followed a transfer of ownership and that staff had notified the parties by certified mail.
Council members asked whether residents would be affected. Van Beek said tenants should continue under existing leases and that termination would not automatically displace current residents: "I would not expect a change for residents out there." Councilmembers also questioned whether the current owner had signaled interest in restoring compliance; staff said the new owner had not demonstrated cooperation sufficient to meet the agreement's requirements.
Schulteis made the motion to terminate the amended brownfield reimbursement agreement for the property known as Black River Flats; the motion was seconded and carried on a recorded roll call with eight affirmative votes and no dissent.
The council framed the move as stewardship of taxpayer dollars and the enforcement of contract terms designed to deliver affordable housing. Council members commended staff for pursuing compliance and bringing the issue forward so the city could redirect tax increment funds if other affordable-housing opportunities arise.
The termination takes effect following the council's vote. Council and staff indicated the city could consider other development or incentive approaches under newer state legislation governing housing TIF in future projects.
