Economic Development: Doing Business in Kingsley

Economic Development Despite Kingsley's well-earned reputation as a phenomenal bedroom community, boasting amenities such as an excellent school system, restaurants, a brewery, a youth/senior center, a library, six parks, various healthcare facilities, and downtown shopping boutiques have led local government leaders to believe that residents prefer to shop and conduct business locally. Guided by this insight, several measures have recently been instituted to enhance Kingsley's business climate.

In 2018, the monthly "Business Coffee" was established, successfully bringing together leaders from the business, school, and faith communities to benefit the local economy. That same year, the Kingsley Downtown Development Authority intensified efforts to incentivize business growth by forming the Kingsley Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. Additionally, initiatives to improve downtown's appearance and activity included supporting the Kingsley Beautification Committee, launching the annual "Christmas in Kingsley" festival, and initiating the heritage preservation building mural project.

In 2019, the Village of Kingsley is set to join the regional economic development organization Traverse Connect, based in Traverse City. The Village also became engaged with the Redevelopment Ready program through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. We intend to become certified at the end of 2025 which will aid in the type, size, and location of development Kingsley would like to see. In 2022, the Downtown Development Authority entered into a Redevelopment Agreement with the Grand Traverse County Landbank to redevelop several vital parcels in the heart of downtown Kingsley formerly known as John’s Auto and Autotech. The Kingsley Farmer’s Market was revamped in 2022 and is traditionally held in Brownson Park during the summer months on Wednesday nights.

In 2023, the Village secured, constructed, or is preparing to construct over 3.7 million dollars in grant projects related to Brownson Memorial Park, S. Brownson Avenue Reconstruction, Lead Service Line replacements, and 4-inch to 8-inch water main upgrades. In 2024, the Village is participating in Grand Traverse County-wide economic development conversations to work with our neighbors in ways that benefit our residents. Ultimately, it is the people of Kingsley who make the future of local business bright. In Kingsley, "buy local" is not just a slogan—it's a way of life.

Kingsley Incentive Tools

Kingsley offers several key assistance tools for developers and business owners.

Financial Incentives

Kingsley Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (BRA)

Established in 2018, the Kingsley BRA helps developers to redevelop blighted, contaminated, or functionally obsolete properties. The BRA authorizes a developer to utilize tax increment financing (also called a TIF) to cover qualified costs of redevelopment, such as remediation activities, environmental assessments, and other due diligence activities.

Through the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act (PA 381 of 1996), Brownfield TIF allows the Village of Kingsley to receive property taxes on the property at the current level and capture the incremental increase in tax revenue resulting from a redevelopment project. Projects approved by the Kingsley BRA can then seek reimbursement from this captured TIF for eligible activities.

The Kingsley Brownfield Redevelopment Authority convenes on the first Monday of the month at 5:30pm, as needed. You may access the Kingsley Brownfield Redevelopment Authority application here. For more information, please contact Kingsley Village Manager, Charlie Jetter, at charlie@villageofkingsley.com or 231.263.7778 extension 3.

Small Business Loans

Additionally, the Kingsley DDA offers low-interest business loans for local business owners. Availability of these loans varies. For more information, please contact welcome@kingsleydda.com.

Non-Financial Incentives

Parking Waivers

The Village of Kingsley recently amended its Zoning Ordinance to remove parking requirements for non-residential uses in the Downtown (C-1) Zoning District. For residential uses, 1 parking space is required per dwelling unit. However, an applicant can seek a partial or complete parking waiver from the Planning Commission in any zone district.

§ 152.224 of the Zoning Ordinance, Parking and Mobility Requirements, goes over the protocol for seeking a parking waiver:

Parking Waivers. If an applicant can demonstrate to the Planning Commission, through a recommendation by the Zoning Administrator, with a parking study and/or case studies or by other means, that sufficient parking can be provided that is less than the listed minimum parking requirement, then the amount of parking may be reduced or eliminated.

A parking waiver can be granted by the Planning Commission as part of their site plan review process. To initiate the site plan review process, please see details located on the Planning & Zoning Page about setting up a conceptual meeting with the Zoning Administrator and completing a land use permit application.

Height Bonuses

The Village of Kingsley offers a height bonus via the special land use process for qualifying mixed-use buildings in the Downtown (C-1) Zoning District. Buildings containing residential units may be 3 stories or 45 feet by-right, however; the Planning Commission may grant special land use approval for an additional fourth story. The following standards will be used by the Planning Commission to make their determination:

(1) The similarity and compatibility of the proposed special use with permitted uses in the respective zoning district;

(2) Whether or not the proposed use would create a traffic hazard to a greater degree than the permitted uses in that district;

(3) Whether or not the proposed use would create obnoxious or harmful noise or odors;

(4) Location in relation to roads and adjacent residential areas;

(5) Preservation of elements of the natural environment such as trees, natural land forms, shore areas, and drainage patterns;

(6) Safety factors, such as access for fire and police; and

(7) Relationship to shore and stream preservation principles where appropriate. For more information, please refer to the following sections of the Zoning Ordinance:

· §152.119 Building Design Requirements for the C-1 District

· §152.229 Special Use Permits To initiate the special land use process, please see details located on the Planning & Zoning Page about setting up a conceptual meeting with the Zoning Administrator and completing a land use permit application.

You are encouraged to contact Zoning Administrator Tim Cypher at (231) 360-2557 ext. 6 or via email with questions or to schedule a meeting on either of these non-financial incentives.

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