Resolution Passed to Adopt Brownfield Redevelopment Housing Project Plan in the Village of Bellaire; Last Chance to Participate in the Aspire North REALTORS Advocacy Priorities for 2024 Survey; Updates Made to the Traverse City Workforce Housing PILOT Ordinance
After much discussion, the Antrim County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution approving the Bellaire Lofts Brownfield Redevelopment Plan. Also, this is your last chance to provide your input towards Aspire North REALTORS Advocacy Priorities for 2024 by participating in the Advocacy Survey before the end of the day TOMORROW! Lastly, we'll cover the updates made to the Traverse City Workforce Housing PILOT Ordinance to meet fair housing standards and increase transparency.
1. Resolution Passed to Adopt Brownfield Redevelopment Housing Project Plan in the Village of Bellaire
The Antrim County Board of Commissioners held a Public Hearing, followed by their December 7th Antrim Board of Commissioners meeting where a resolution for the Bellaire Lofts Brownfield Redevelopment Plan was considered for enactment. After lots of public comments and questioning of Fishbeck, the resolution was passed, with four County Commissioners in support and one opposed, despite a lot of public opposition to the Brownfield Redevelopment Plan. For background, Fishbeck is an engineering, environmental science, architecture, and construction management firm with expertise on Michigan Senate Bills 129, 130, 131, and 132 a new economic development tool passed in July of this year allowing for tax revenue capture through local brownfield redevelopment authorities to fund affordable housing costs with the approval of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. Antrim County Commissioners cited this project as being in alignment with the Antrim County Master Plan and being in the best interest of local businesses, which they stated have broad support for this project. You can view the Public Hearing and the Antrim County Commissioner Meeting on their Facebook page to hear the full discussion.
2. Last Chance to Participate in the Aspire North REALTORS Advocacy Priorities for 2024 Survey
Your association needs your help to better engage, communicate, and advocate on your behalf. Participate in the Aspire North REALTORS Advocacy Survey to help determine your association’s advocacy priorities for 2024 before the survey closes at the end of the day on Tuesday, December 12th. You can access the Aspire North REALTORS Advocacy survey here. Please fill out this survey, take your time, and be honest. Everyone who completes a survey is eligible to win 1 of 3 $50 gift cards! Want to learn more about Aspire North REALTORS' current advocacy priorities for 2023? Check out the Aspire North REALTORS Advocacy webpage.
3. Updates Made to the Traverse City Workforce Housing PILOT Ordinance
At the December 4th, 2023 Traverse City Commission Meeting amendments to the recently implemented Workforce Housing PILOT Ordinance (covered in the Sept. 25th GAD Top 3) were passed. These amendments include allowing a window for renovated properties to change over from market-rate tenants to Workforce Housing eligible tenants (tenants making an income within the range of 80% to 120% of Area Median Income) over an 18-month window, in compliance with fair housing laws. Also, a change to increase the transparency of the form that the Traverse City Workforce Housing PILOT program uses for PILOT payments. You can review the summary of the changes outlined by Traverse City staff here (page 64) and the updated PILOT Ordinance language can be viewed here as well (pages 71 and 72).
