Politics & Government

Farmington Hills Takes Another Step Toward Grand River Corridor Authority

Residents bring questions to Monday night's public hearing.

Farmington Hills officials took another step toward creating an authority that will support redevelopment of the corridor along Grand River.

Because the main thoroughfare runs through both Farmington Hills and Farmington, both city councils are working together under a grant from the Land Information Access Association (LIAA) to create a Corridor Improvement Authority (CIA). Meetings have been held with residents and business owners along the affected area, which stretches from Eight Mile Road in Farmington Hills to Mayfield Avenue in Farmington.

On Monday night, the Hills council held a public hearing on the proposed boundaries for the project. Once approved, the corridor may be reduced, but not increased, in size, Hills management assistant Nate Geinzer said.

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, each council would create an authority; those two groups would work together under an interlocal agreement. Members would be appointed by city officials; the majority must own a business or have interest in property within the corridor.

Tony Haight, who lives and also has a home-based business on Albion, wondered whether he would be taxed to pay for improvements undertaken by the CIA. City Manager Steve Brock explained that once improvements are made, property values in the corridor could increase, which would raise taxes.

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"There is a provision that allows for special assessments" to finance improvements to the corridor, Brock said. That would come from the CIA board, which will include property owners, and would have to be approved by the City Council.

Geinzer said the council must wait 60 days to consider officially establishing the CIA boundaries; the issue will be on the council's agenda again in October.

Freeway redevelopment districts approved

Hills officials also approved two new freeway overlay districts, one west of Halsted Road and east of Interstate 275, and the other east of Haggerty Road and north of Interstate 696.

After a first reading at the July 11 City Council meeting, representatives of two major firms located within the districts—Nissan North America and Robert Bosch, LLC—came forward with concerns about the ordinance language. City planner Dale Countegan said Monday those concerns were addressed with very minor changes that did not affect the "intent or meaning" of the ordinances.

The overlay districts are designed to encourage redevelopment by allowing flexibility in building height and location in certain circumstances, as well as encouraging sustainable design practices and best management practices for stormwater quality and control.


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