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Tax Capture Plan Approved for 24-Unit Raven Townhomes Project

The Plainfield Township Board has approved a brownfield redevelopment plan for the 24-unit Raven Townhomes project at 3144 5 Mile Road. The plan will use a portion of future property tax growth from the development to reimburse the developer up to $655,505 for project costs. As part of the agreement, five of the 24 townhomes will be reserved as workforce housing for ten years.

Current status Approved

The Township Board approved the resolution for the Raven Townhomes Brownfield Redevelopment Plan on May 11, 2026, by a 6-0 vote.

Minutes record: I move that the Township Board approve the resolution creating a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for Raven Townhomes... Roll Call: Ayes: Coleman, McKellar, Hagedorn, Batey, Morrow, Reminga Nays: 0 Motion approved

What this is Tax Capture Plan Approved for 24-Unit Raven Townhomes Project

Timeline

  1. Agenda posted from agenda · published May 7, 2026
  2. Agenda posted from agenda · published May 11, 2026
  3. Approved Final from minutes · published Jun 10, 2026

Key facts

  • The project consists of 24 rental townhomes in six buildings at 3144 5 Mile Road NE.
  • The approved plan provides the developer with up to $655,505 in tax increment financing reimbursement over 10 years.
  • An additional five years of tax capture will go to the township's Local Brownfield Revolving Fund, estimated to collect $192,521.
  • The project is eligible for brownfield financing because it is a housing project that includes a workforce housing component (5 of 24 units).
  • The Plainfield Charter Township Brownfield Redevelopment Authority unanimously recommended the plan for approval on April 16, 2026.

Discretion or exceptions

  • The project's eligibility for the brownfield plan is based on a provision in state law (Act 381) that allows TIF for housing projects that provide a community benefit, which in this case is the creation of workforce housing units.

Who could be affected

  • The developer, Raven Townhomes, LLC, who is now eligible for up to $655,505 in TIF reimbursement.
  • The Township, Kent County, and other local taxing jurisdictions, which will forgo a portion of the increased tax revenue from the property for 15 years.
  • Households seeking rental housing, especially those qualifying for the five units reserved as workforce housing.
  • Residents and property owners near the development at the intersection of East Beltline Avenue and 5 Mile Road.

What could change

  • The developer is eligible for up to $655,505 in reimbursement for what is described as a 'financing gap' in the project.
  • An estimated total of $978,201 in new property taxes from the development will be captured over 15 years. This includes the developer reimbursement, administrative costs, and payments to state and local brownfield funds.
  • Five of the 24 rental units must be maintained as 'workforce housing affordable' for 10 years, available to households with incomes no more than 120% of the Area Median Income.
  • After the 10-year developer reimbursement period, tax capture will continue for an additional five years to direct an estimated $192,521 into the township's Local Brownfield Revolving Fund for future redevelopment projects.

What to watch

  • What are the specific maximum monthly rents for the five workforce housing units, and how will they be adjusted annually based on changes to the Area Median Income?
  • How was the developer's $655,505 'financing gap' calculated and verified by the township?
  • How will the actual tax revenue captured be tracked against the estimates, and what is the process if the amount collected is significantly higher or lower than projected?

Supporting records

These related records help explain the item, including the agenda listing, staff explanation, and draft text.

Agenda listing agenda attachment

Resolution - Raven Townhomes Brownfield Plan

A. Pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Act 381 , the Authority's Board has approved and recommended to the Township Board for approval the brownfield plan for the redevelopment of the Property (the 'Plan') . The Plan is attached as Exhibit A of this Resolution.

Pages 1 · Lines 16

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Pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Act 381 , the Authority's Board has approved and recommended to the Township Board for approval the brownfield plan for the redevelopment of the Property (the 'Plan') . The Plan is attached as Exhibit A of this Resolution.
Agenda listing agenda attachment

Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Meeting Minutes, April 16, 2026

a. Raven Townhomes Brownfield Redevelopment Plan

Pages 1 · Lines 20-25

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Raven Townhomes Brownfield Redevelopment Plan 3144 5 Mile Road NE Dave Visser, Raven Townhomes LLC Applicant representative Jared Belka and Applicant Dave Visser were present and discussed the project request. The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority asked questions regarding rents, timing,
Draft resolution text agenda attachment

Resolution - Raven Townhomes Brownfield Plan

RESOLUTION APPROVING A BROWNFIELD PLAN FOR THE RAVEN TOWNHOMES BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT.

Pages 1 · Lines 9

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RESOLUTION APPROVING A BROWNFIELD PLAN FOR THE RAVEN TOWNHOMES BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT.
Draft ordinance text agenda attachment

Brownfield Redevelopment Plan - Raven Townhomes

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Proposed Redevelopment and Future Use for Each Eligible Property

Pages 3-4 · Lines 31-37

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1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Proposed Redevelopment and Future Use for Each Eligible Property Raven Townhomes, LLC (' Developer ') intends to develop the property located at 3144 5 Mile Road NE, Plainfield Township, MI 49525 (the ' Property '). The Property historically housed a single-family home used for that purpose with associated site improvements. Developer is proposing to demolish the exis ng house and construct a ne…
Draft ordinance text agenda attachment

Brownfield Redevelopment Plan - Raven Townhomes

ACT 381 BROWNFIELD PLAN RAVEN TOWNHOMES REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT

Pages 1 · Lines 1

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ACT 381 BROWNFIELD PLAN RAVEN TOWNHOMES REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT
Staff memo agenda attachment

Memo - Raven Townhomes Brownfield Plan

Act 381 Requirements

Pages 2 · Lines 19-20

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Act 381 Requirements The property is eligible for a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan because the end use is housing. Per the latest updates to the State's Brownfield Act 381 of 1996 as amended (Act 381), the Township can approve a TIF plan to incentivize housing development as a community benefit. The property and the proposed housing activity expenses are eligible expenses for reimbursement. The developer is only seek…
Staff memo agenda attachment

Memo - Raven Townhomes Brownfield Plan

Introduction & Project Description

Pages 1 · Lines 13-18

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Introduction & Project Description The Township Board is being asked to enter into a 10-year Brownfield Redevelopment Plan (the Plan) for the Ravens Townhome project, a townhome development at 3144 5 Mile Road, with an additional 5 years of capture for the Local Brownfield Revolving Fund (LBRF). A public hearing is required for this request. The project is being represented by developer Dave Visser, Raven Townhomes,…
Staff memo agenda attachment

Memo - Raven Townhomes Brownfield Plan

Recommendation

Pages 2 · Lines 32-38

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Recommendation As mentioned, the PCTBRA considered this project at their April 16, 2026 meeting, and unanimously recommended that the Township Board approve the Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for the Raven Townhomes project at 3144 5 Mile for a period of 10 years, with an additional 5 years of capture for the Local Brownfield Revolving Fund, based on the following findings of fact: The subject property is eligible fo…

Meeting history

Agenda and minutes records showing when this item appeared and what procedural step it reached over time.

Minutes record minutes

May 11, 2026 Board of Trustees

Listed on agenda

2026-05-11T18:00:00-04:00

Read excerpt
The item appeared on the Board of Trustees Meeting agenda: Consider a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for Raven Townhomes Project Consider a Brownfield Redevelopment Plan for Raven Townhomes Project

Accuracy note

Civic Desk summarizes public records to make local issues easier to follow. Mistakes, omissions, or outdated details are possible, especially when an issue is still moving through meetings. Before relying on an item for an important decision, verify the details in the linked source documents or with the township directly.