05-20-2007, 04:13 AM
Stakoe seeking change in corridor improvement law
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May 16, 2007 - Legislation proposed by state Rep. John Stakoe (R-Highland, White Lake) would allow areas which aren't currently served by either municipal water or sewer systems to be eligible to become a local corridor improvement authority district supported through tax increment financing (TIF).
House Bill (HB) 4697 has been referred to the House Transportation Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor).
Stakoe, a third-term legislator, said the problem with the current act authorizing corridor improvement authorities is that it does not permit districts to be created in areas where there isn't municipal water and sewer service. That's an impediment to communities looking to make improvements, especially if there are plans to create municipal water and sewer services in a corridor improvement authority district, according to Stakoe.
"You have areas that are commercial uses and already have the businesses in there, and you have this statute that doesn't allow them to take part in the corridor improvement authority because they don't have water or sewer systems," Stakoe said. "Yet, you have growing communities ... that have over 20,000 people in a large commercial area."
Stakoe, indicating he had support from at least one representative from the other side of the political aisle, said he had interest in expanding the law when he was supervisor in Highland Township.
"I like these statutes that allow communities to help themselves, and I don't see why we should have minimal sewer and water when you already have the commercial and industrial districts," Stakoe said. "We are just trying to provide a mechanism for them to help improve themselves without going to the taxpayers. I think the sewer and water criteria is a hindrance to that."
When the first corridor improvement authority legislation was drafted, the original language was going to state that only communities with at least 15,000 residents could create a corridor improvement authority and district. However, lawmakers decided that establishing a corridor improvement authority should be available to "any community," according to Stakoe.
White Lake Township has created a corridor improvement authority and is in the process of establishing an improvement authority plan financed largely through "capturing" increased tax revenue following growth in taxable value within the authority district.
White Lake Township Supervisor Mike Kowall said he believes Stakoe's the legislation is a good idea.
"I think it's a good idea just due to the fact that the corridor authority can help with that infrastructure," he said. "You can promote controlled growth."
Kowall also cited environmental benefits of the legislation, which would allow communities to use a corridor improvement authority to build sewer systems that replace septic systems that can sometimes taint surface and groundwater resources.
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[url "http://www.spinalcolumnonline.com/1editorialtablebody.lasso?-token.searchtype=authorroutine&-token.lpsearchstring=Kirk%20Pinho&-nothing"]Kirk Pinho[/url]
May 16, 2007 - Legislation proposed by state Rep. John Stakoe (R-Highland, White Lake) would allow areas which aren't currently served by either municipal water or sewer systems to be eligible to become a local corridor improvement authority district supported through tax increment financing (TIF).House Bill (HB) 4697 has been referred to the House Transportation Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor).
Stakoe, a third-term legislator, said the problem with the current act authorizing corridor improvement authorities is that it does not permit districts to be created in areas where there isn't municipal water and sewer service. That's an impediment to communities looking to make improvements, especially if there are plans to create municipal water and sewer services in a corridor improvement authority district, according to Stakoe.
"You have areas that are commercial uses and already have the businesses in there, and you have this statute that doesn't allow them to take part in the corridor improvement authority because they don't have water or sewer systems," Stakoe said. "Yet, you have growing communities ... that have over 20,000 people in a large commercial area."
Stakoe, indicating he had support from at least one representative from the other side of the political aisle, said he had interest in expanding the law when he was supervisor in Highland Township.
"I like these statutes that allow communities to help themselves, and I don't see why we should have minimal sewer and water when you already have the commercial and industrial districts," Stakoe said. "We are just trying to provide a mechanism for them to help improve themselves without going to the taxpayers. I think the sewer and water criteria is a hindrance to that."
When the first corridor improvement authority legislation was drafted, the original language was going to state that only communities with at least 15,000 residents could create a corridor improvement authority and district. However, lawmakers decided that establishing a corridor improvement authority should be available to "any community," according to Stakoe.
White Lake Township has created a corridor improvement authority and is in the process of establishing an improvement authority plan financed largely through "capturing" increased tax revenue following growth in taxable value within the authority district.
White Lake Township Supervisor Mike Kowall said he believes Stakoe's the legislation is a good idea.
"I think it's a good idea just due to the fact that the corridor authority can help with that infrastructure," he said. "You can promote controlled growth."
Kowall also cited environmental benefits of the legislation, which would allow communities to use a corridor improvement authority to build sewer systems that replace septic systems that can sometimes taint surface and groundwater resources.
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