The Finance Committee approved a brownfield plan for The Springs At 5, a proposed 284-unit, three-story residential development located at M-5 and Pontiac Trail in Commerce Township. Economic development staff said the project covers about 12.27 acres; the developer agreed to reserve 100 units at up to 120% area median income for a 10-year period in order to qualify under the 2023 Michigan brownfield amendments that allow attainable housing incentives.

Project presenters said the TIF-eligible activities relate to unforeseen site infrastructure costs rather than remediation of contamination, and that TIF reimbursement over 30 years is estimated at about $13 million, to be reimbursed from state school tax captures. Commissioners pressed staff to clarify the policy change that allows housing under brownfield law and emphasized the county will not place housing on contaminated land: staff reiterated that strict standards apply if a brownfield site requires remediation before housing is built. The resolution carried.