Ferrysburg greenlights brownfield

Wed, Aug 20, 2008    to del.icio.us

FERRYSBURG — City Council assured local control over any possible brownfield developments Monday night by approving the establishment of a Ferrysburg Brownfield Redevelopment Authority.

After Ottawa County set up a brownfield authority of its own in June, Ferrysburg officials knew it would only be a matter of time before they were asked if they wanted to join, Mayor Pro-tem Tim Scarpino said. But it was important to maintain local control, council members said.

"If you're using a county authority, you're losing some autonomy," Councilwoman Regina Sjoberg said.

David Miller, the Chamber of Commerce Grand Haven's vice president for economic development, also spoke of the benefits of Ferrysburg establishing its own brownfield authority.

"Instead of local, you have a group of people outside your community making decisions outside your community," he said.

As the city isn't aware of a parcel that would immediately take advantage of the brownfield benefits, Councilman Chris Larson — who cast the dissenting vote in the 5-1 decision — wondered what the push was to establish the authority.

"I don't think it's needed at this time," he said.

The authority can be a useful tool for local governments to attract businesses and make it more attractive for them to redevelop brownfields, Scarpino said.

"This brownfield authority is nothing more than a tool," Councilman Dan Ruiter said. "Let's put that tool in their trunk."