Sarah Allen

The agenda for the meeting includes the approval of the agenda for the current meeting, followed by correspondence, communications, and the budget report. New business items focus on two major assignments requiring board authorization: the assignment of the Terra Station Ventures, LLC Development and Reimbursement Agreement to Mercantile Bank in the event of default, and a similar Collateral Assignment for Prospect Flats LLC in favor of West Michigan Community Bank. Discussion items cover the Coopersville MFD LLC Brownfield Plan Amendment status, potential new projects in Spring Lake Township and Hudsonville, a draft operational policy, and updates regarding EGLE Brownfield Stakeholder Workshops.

The meeting addressed Old Business concerning the Small Footprint Homes Initiative, including updates on the Paw Paw Ridge small homes project in Holland and discussions on zoning regulations, Planned Unit Development (PUD) options, Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and utilizing data from the 2025 Ottawa County Housing Needs Assessment. The Commission agreed that housing needs should be incorporated into a potential countywide master planning project. New Business involved scheduling future discussion items for the next agenda, specifically coordinating a workshop of housing partners and advocating for countywide master planning.

Key discussions included a recap of the 'Farms are the Tapas 2025' event, noting feedback to increase focus on farmland preservation education and sponsor recognition in future events. The Board reviewed the third-quarter financial funds and established a new guideline requiring landowners to increase their donation when appraisal increases are noted. Staff provided an update on township resolution status regarding the PDR program, noting that Georgetown Township recently adopted a resolution following outreach. The Board also discussed upcoming vacancies on the Ag Board, with a request scheduled to approve an override of the 12-year term limit for one member. Under new business, the Board approved recommending a Purchase Agreement execution for the Don & Shirley Klein property and approved an expenditure for its valuation appraisal. An update on other farm properties indicated that several are on hold due to a federal government shutdown, though the Klein property survey issues were resolved.

During the meeting, the agenda for the current session was approved. There were no items under Old Business or New Business, and no public comments were provided. The main discussion focused on the Hope 2025 Bond Project, specifically providing an update that included the nominated neighborhood directors (Rivka Hodgkinson and Karen Pearson) and the relevant timeline.

The meeting agenda was approved, followed by the approval of the minutes from the February 2025 meeting. Under New Business, the authority moved to recommend and forward a proposed Brownfield Plan Amendment submitted by LaCati Group, LLC, concerning The Landings at Rush Creek project in the City of Hudsonville to the Board of Commissioners. Discussion items included a draft operational policy, a Crain's article regarding Coopersville MFD LLC, housing articles on Substack, a Crain's article about The Landings at Rush Creek, and a recap of the EGLE Brownfield Stakeholder Workshop. Other business included a discussion regarding board education and community conversation.