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Site Cleared For Ann Arbor Residential Development As Law Suit Continues

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A development planned for 91 acres of farmland north of Ann Arbor is moving forward, even though neighbors are suing the developer over a disputed piece of property. Chestnut Development LLC has plans for a 264-unit development south of Whitmore Lake. Builders are currently installing water, sewer and storm water infrastructure on the property. The plans include 56 single-family homes on individual lots and 208 multi-family attached units on 79 acres of property. The remaining acreage is slated for future commercial development. A neighboring couple has filed complaints that the developer has trespassed and destroyed their property. The lawsuit aims to determine ownership of the property that is partially on the developers lot. The residents are requesting the judge award title of the piece of property under adverse possession.

 

 

Oakland County To Create Land Bank Authority

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Oakland County is creating a land bank authority. The land bank authority will support economic growth and community revitalization. According to the county’s treasurer, the creation of the authority will enable the county to address property vacancies, support new developments and return foreclosed properties to the tax rolls. The application process for board members will begin in mid-July, with hopes that the board will be up and running by mid-August.

Inflation Impacts Property Taxes With Highest Increase Since 2007

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Michigan homeowners can expect to see bigger than normal increases in their summer property tax bills. Thanks to this year’s inflation, many need to prepare for even bigger hikes next year. The inflation rate adjustment for this year’s property taxes is 3.3%, the highest it has been in 15 years. The rate is the maximum increase in taxable value that can apply this year to Michigan homes that haven’t changed ownership or seen additions to the property. The multiplier hasn’t been over 3% since 2007. Inflation’s impact on food and gas prices are obvious to consumers, but its impact on property taxes can be unexpected and somewhat hidden.

 

 

Rising Mortgage Rates Cool Detroit’s Housing Market

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Rising mortgage rats have calmed metro Detroit’s housing market this summer. Inventory continues to be tight and is inhibiting a more “normal” market. According to agents, many sellers are still getting multiple offers and selling above asking price, buyers have a bit more leverage can sometimes knock a listing’s price down a bit. There has been a slight increase in the number of listings, but the number is still lower than what is needed. Bidding wars still occur, but are happening at somewhat lower prices than before.  Increasing mortgage rates are impacting buyer’s budgets. Last year, a 30-year, fixed mortgage was 2.9%. Last week the average was 5.7%. That adds more than $300 to monthly mortgage payments.

Michigan-Based Development Firm Acquires Affordable Housing Portfolio

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The Michigan minority- and woman-owned development firm, Ginosko Development Company, along with New York-based L+M Development Partners, has secured a nine-property portfolio in Michigan that includes 1,640 units.  One of the portfolio’s properties includes Coventry Woods, a West Michigan senior apartment complex. The rest of the portfolio properties are in Detroit, Saginaw, Pontiac, Canton, Center Line and Monroe. Over half the units are for seniors. Seven of the nine properties have Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8 contracts, and two are restricted to households at or below 60% area median income.

 

Deeply Affordable Housing Units Planned for Detroit

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Developers Cinnaire Solutions, Woodbridge Neighborhood Development Corp., CHN Housing Partners and Detroit Blight Busters will create nearly 200 new units for at-risk residents. The four new housing projects will created 183 affordable units for residents who earn 60 percent of the area median income ($42,960 for a family of two). The projects will also include 20 market-rate apartments. Old Redford, Midtown, Woodbridge and MorningSide neighborhoods are the site of the new units. They are funded, in part, by $38 million in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits from the state.

 

 

 

Ginosko Development Buys Apartments To Modernize and Preserve

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Michigan-based Ginosko Development has partnered with New York-based L+M Development Partners to purchase nine Michigan rental properties with more than 1,600 affordable apartments. They plan to modernize and preserve the low-cost units. The properties include 1,640 units in 115 buildings in Michigan. More than half are for seniors. Seven of the nine properties have contracts with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Section 8 housing. Improvements to the interiors and exteriors of the buildings are planned, including bathroom and kitchen renovations, modernizing amenity areas, upgrading mechanical systems and improving landscaping.

 

 

Coyote Golf Club Facing Possible Residential Conversion

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The Coyote Gold Club in Lyon Township is under contract to be sold to SE Metro Property Services LLC of Birmingham. The 200-acre property would be converted into 107 townhomes valued at $400,000 and 203 single-family residences valued at $600,000.  The three-phase development would begin in the summer of 2024. The townhouses clustered in 26 buildings would be located on the northern edge of the property, and the single-family homes would be on the southern end. The golf course redevelopment would work its way through the municipal process over the next year or so with various planning commission and township board approvals.

Bankhole Thompson Calls Out Bedrock’s Tax Subsidy Grab

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According to Bankole Thompson, Detroit needs improvements that will impact the lives of its ordinary residents. The tax breaks for big companies are off the backs of ordinary citizens. Residential poverty still exists because of the lack of initiatives designed to make a difference. The city has given away huge tax subsidies to highly capitalized companies who don’t follow through with concrete plans. This is what’s creating the opposition to Dan Gilbert’s request for $60 million in tax breaks for the Hudson site project. Gilbert has the money to complete the project without a tax break from disenfranchised Detroiters. The author believes the heart of the issue is a civil rights issue. The jobs that are promised during the PR blitz for subsidies often do not materialize. The City Council should use the tax break Gilbert wants for more important quality of life issues.

 

 

Ann Arbor Rezones For High-Density Downtown Area

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The city of Ann Arbor has rezoned over 200 acres by Briarwood Mall with the intent of developing a high-density downtown area. The West Stadium and North Maple area may be next. The rezoning is meant to increase housing density along transit corridors and commercial development, creating a more pedestrian-friendly area. Feedback on the idea has been mixed. City officials are looking for more input and will hold a virtual webinar over Zoom at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June. 14.