Lowell, Lowell Charter Township Will Hold Joint Meeting to Consider Cooperation Agreement that Would Pave the Way for Development, Investment and Jobs

The Lowell City Council and Lowell Charter Township Board will hold a joint meeting Wednesday, Aug. 7 so leaders can discuss a land use agreement that, if approved, would pave the way for the development of Covenant Business Park and bring investment and jobs to the community.

The city council and township board will hear a presentation regarding a proposed letter of understanding between the communities that would outline a proposed Public Act 425 cooperation agreement and allow for a conditional land use transfer that would benefit both communities.

The 7 p.m. meeting, which is open to the public and to media, will be held at Lowell Charter Township Hall, 2910 Alden Nash Ave. SE. Residents will have additional opportunities to learn about the project during open houses later this month in both communities, as well as during public hearings scheduled for September. After receiving input from the community, the city council and township board will vote on the cooperation agreement in the fall.

The cooperation agreement would cover property at Covenant Business Park, which is located in Lowell Charter Township at the interchange of I-96 and Alden Nash Avenue SE. The 237-acre parcel, which is zoned for industrial and commercial use, has been planned for future growth for decades.

Three open houses were held earlier this year to gather additional community input for the proposed project. In January, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. awarded The Right Place, Inc. a $17.5 million grant to prepare the site. Funds from the MEDC’s Strategic Site Readiness Program will allow work on infrastructure needed for the site.

If approved by the city council and township board, the cooperation agreement would bring this parcel into the City of Lowell for a period of 50 years. The City would then levy 15.7 mills on tenants in the business park, returning 6 mills of revenue to Lowell Charter Township. The Township’s current master plan and zoning will guide development on the site.

As part of the cooperation agreement:

• The City of Lowell would be responsible for police, fire and emergency services, assessing property in the business park and levying taxes.
• Lowell Charter Township would be responsible for code enforcement, special assessments and water, wastewater and storm transmission lines.

The cooperation agreement could potentially be renewed for another 50 years if both the City and Township agree. Once the agreement ends, the property goes back to Lowell Charter Township.

The City of Lowell is working to expand its water and wastewater treatment facilities in order to accommodate current and future needs of users, including the business park. The City and Township are currently in discussions for a water and wastewater agreement that will run in conjunction with the cooperation agreement.

The City of Lowell will host an open house on the proposed agreement and Covenant Business Park at City Hall, 301 E. Main St., on Tuesday, Aug. 20 from 6-8 p.m. The City will hold a formal public hearing at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 3.

Lowell Charter Township will host an open house on the proposed agreement and Covenant Business Park at Township Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 21 from 6-8 p.m. The Township will hold a formal public hearing at 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 16.