Mount Clemens commissioners deny tax-exemption pilot for 140 North Main after resident opposition

Mount Clemens — The City Commission voted to deny the first reading of a Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) tax-exemption pilot for 140 North Main Street after residents voiced opposition to replacing the longtime Hoft building with an apartment complex.

Residents spoke during the public‑comment period, citing traffic and safety concerns at the proposed site and urging the city to consider alternatives. "I'm against tearing down the Hoft and building apartments there due to that traffic," said John Emerson, who gave his address as 190 Clinton River Court. Jo Harrington urged the city to notify adjacent residents when city‑owned property is sold so neighbors have advance notice. Lori Ferdig said she did not think the corner was suitable for apartments and said the proposal appeared to be for low‑income housing, adding that families could increase traffic in an already busy intersection.

At the podium, a commissioner who made the motion to deny said the commission had reviewed a work session and concluded a pilot program was not in the city's best interest, noting outstanding issues with required parking. The draft ordinance under consideration would have allowed a developer identified in the meeting as W Group Incorporated (also transcribed as Wuda Group Incorporated) to use an MSHDA tax‑exemption pilot: a payment‑in‑lieu structure equal to 6 percent of the difference between annual shelter rents collected and utilities for a 16‑year term. The developer also offered a municipal services agreement with annual payments to the city of $112,000, adjustable up to 3 percent based on CPI.

Commissioners sought clarification before voting: the recommended motion on the agenda was to deny the first reading, meaning a "Yes" vote would block the ordinance from advancing. The chair called for a roll call vote; commissioners recorded "yes," and the motion to deny the first reading was approved as read.

The denial stops the pilot ordinance at its first reading. Commissioners and staff did not adopt an alternate development plan during the meeting; several commissioners emphasized they want to shape a longer‑term development vision for Mount Clemens and encouraged public input.

What happens next: The action taken was procedural — the commission denied first reading of the MSHDA tax‑exemption pilot. No alternate ordinance or final development approval for 140 North Main was adopted at the meeting. The city previously held a work session with the developer to review feasibility and related issues.