During the Owosso City Council virtual meeting on Monday, Aug. 3, council members considered the sale of city-owned property at 424 Grover Street. The property, now an empty lot after the city recently demolished a condemned house with asbestos at the cost of $18,000, has been owned by the city since 2015. The Owosso City Assessor deemed the property value at $5,300. The potential buyer offered $3,000. The buyer was interested in the lot to enlarge his yard, as he owns the adjoining property. He was not interested in building on the lot.
Owosso City Manager Nathan Henne explained to council “this is a little tricky,” sharing that the lot is still city-owned, but with the current master plan being in flux as a new master plan is being edited and finalized, the council needed to consider the new plan is to eventually adapt the area into city greenspace. Grover Street is just north of Gerome Street and runs along the Shiawassee River and river walk area. The Grover Street lot and other properties in that area are in a floodplain, but the city is not rushing people from their properties. The greenspace discussion is long term and could be many years, or even decades in process.
Henne cautioned the council that if the Grover Street property was sold, he believed the city should only sell with a recommendation that the buyer, and any future owners, be prohibited from building on the site.
Council member Janae Fear stated the city would normally not hesitate to sell a property, but due to the new master plan, still in the works, and water issues in the area, the planning commission has targeted the area for future greenspace. Fear also serves on the planning commission and has constructive insight on the master plan. “My one concern is getting into a situation where we need this piece of property and we don’t own it anymore,” Fear said, reflecting many years ahead.
Owosso Mayor Chris Eveleth stated he had similar concerns, sharing his initial reaction was not to sell the property.
Henne encouraged council to be clear that if the sale was denied, the city is not proposing any form of public taking from residents. The discussion was connected to far distant planning – demonstrating why municipalities develop master plans.
Both council members Jerry Haber and Dan Law expressed an interest in selling so that the property would once again become taxable property, instead of a city liability that would require maintenance. Law also sits on the planning commission.
Henne shared that very minimal maintenance would be required on this lot, likely mostly mowing. Eveleth added that there wasn’t much taxable value to the city on the lot, either. However, the cost to buy it back later would far exceed the current cost.
The city voted against the request for sale. The two no votes were Jerry Haber and Dan Law.
