Politics & Government
Farmington Hills Officials: History Shows Small Property Purchase Makes Sense
The city will own a small piece of land at Northwestern and Greening that is surrounded by MDOT-owned parcels.
The proposed purchase of a small piece of property at Northwestern and Greening in Farmington Hills left city council member Richard Lerner with more than a few questions.
Lerner opposed the purchase, which was approved 6-1 during Monday night's city council meeting. But other officials expressed concern about repeating a situation at 14 Mile and Farmington Roads, where a roundabout project was delayed several years ago.
A property owner sued the city for permission to put up two-story buildings on small parcels in the southeast and southwest corners of the intersection. The buildings were later torn down, to make way for the roundabout.
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Oakland County offered the Northwestern property to the city for $550 – a little over $46 in back taxes and $500 in fines. The 22' x 17' x 28' parcel is surrounded on three sides by Michigan Dept. of Transportation (MDOT) property.
"Wouldn't this property be better served to go to MDOT?" Lerner asked.
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Assistant city manager Dana Whinnery said the county was offering the city a chance to purchase before opening it to private bids. He added there is the potential of a private party buying the property, then holding planned road improvements hostage.
Mayor Barry Brickner recalled that it cost "about $450,000 apiece" to get rid of the 14 Mile buildings before the roundabout project went through.
Lerner also suggested offering to buy the property for the $46 in back taxes. City attorney Steve Joppich said the $500 in fines are statutory and probably can't be rolled back.
"I can make a phone call, but I think it might be a longshot," he said.
Lerner questioned whether anyone else would want the property, given that it was barely large enough to accomodate a garage.
"If I have learned anything in my time here," city manager Steve Brock said, "there's no such thing as an unbuildable parcel."
"I think for the assurance it gives us," city councilmember Randy Bruce said, "$500 is a very reasonable price."
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