Four workforce housing developments are up for property tax deals at once. That’s the shape of this meeting.

The 3 items worth your attention

PILOT agreements for four “Flatz” workforce housing developments, Baltic, Carolina, Pacific, and Ventnor Flatz are each seeking Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreements under Chapter 887, spread across addresses on Cavanaugh, Risdale, Kalamazoo, Dorchester, and MLK Boulevard. A PILOT lets a developer pay less than full property taxes in exchange for keeping rents at workforce levels. Council is being asked to act on all four the same night it’s also scheduling public hearings on all four, so if you have thoughts on any of these, September 28 is your window. (Items 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)

Cryptocurrency ATMs are getting city-level regulation. Item 20 introduces a new Chapter 873 that would establish licensing procedures and rules for virtual currency machines operating in Lansing, with a public hearing to follow. No dollar figures are attached yet, but operators would face city licensing requirements that don’t currently exist.

The council is also setting FY2027-2028 budget priorities, not the budget itself, just the resolution that tells staff what to weight when they build it. It shapes every departmental ask that follows over the next two years. (Item 19)

Roads & property

• A public hearing is being scheduled on an OPRA certificate for Lil Rock Ventures LLC at 1204 S. Washington Ave., giving residents a chance to comment on a potential property tax exemption before any decision is made. (Item 13)
• TCI Properties LLC at 1515 W. Mt. Hope Ave. gets two separate hearings scheduled: one on the OPRA district designation itself, one on the certificate. Both need public comment before moving forward. (Items 14, 15)
• An OPRA certificate for Ron Holdings LLC at 418 Baker St. is up for a direct decision, not just a hearing, this one would grant a tax exemption for building rehabilitation. (Item 16)
• Brownfield Plan #92 covers the rehabilitation project at 416 N. Cedar St., with tax increment financing potentially funding cleanup and redevelopment there. (Item 17)
• Michigan Paving and Materials is seeking a noise special permit for curb, gutter, sidewalk, and pavement work on Kalamazoo St.; a public hearing is being scheduled first. (Item 18)
• The noise ordinance itself is also on the table. Vice President Pehlivanoglu and Council Member Kost introduced changes to Chapter 654, council could act on them and is also scheduling a public hearing for additional comment. (Items 37, 38)

Where the money’s going

• Byrne Justice Assistance Grant to the Police Department from the Office of Justice Programs; amount not stated. (Item 8)
• FY2024 Homeland Security Grant Program award to the Fire Department; amount not stated. (Item 9)
• FY2025 Homeland Security Grant Program award to the Fire Department; amount not stated. (Item 10)
• Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning grant to the Police Department; amount not stated. (Item 11)
• National Criminal History Improvement Program (NCHIP) grant to the Police Department; amount not stated. (Item 12)
• STOP Violence Against Women grant to the Police Department; amount not stated. (Item 34)
• Community Violence Intervention Capacity Building and Implementation Program grant; amount not stated. (Item 35)
• Sole-source contract with All City Management Services for the School Crossing Guard Program; amount not stated, no competitive bid held. (Item 36)

Also notable

• A resident, Fariba Tajieshkaftaki, is appealing $215 in grass violation fees assessed at 1012 Dornell Ave.; council decides whether the charge stands. (Item 39)
• ACE Pyro, LLC is up for a fireworks license to handle Silver Bells on November 20. (Item 22)
• Gunnu LLC at 1825 E. Michigan Ave. wants to take over an existing SDD & SDM license from Advanced UZP Inc. and add a Beer & Wine Tasting Permit; council weighs in before the Michigan Liquor Control Commission decides. (Item 40)
• Melissa Horste, Eric Tans, and Kenneth Salzman are each up for reappointment to the Human Relations board, CATA board, and Income Tax Board of Review, respectively. (Items 23, 24, 25)

Public comment on September 28 items is open at the start of the meeting. Check the city’s website for the exact time, call-in details, and how to sign up to speak. The Ingham County / Lansing Docket is an independent publication and has no affiliation with the City of Lansing or any public body it covers. Spot an error? Reply.

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