MCL 117.5 Prohibited powers: A city does not have power:It certainly appears the Normandy Oaks park sale is prohibited under Michigan Compiled Law 117.5(e). This reading was informally acknowledged when discussed with a former city attorney. Normandy Oaks is not deemed surplus by either the City's Master Plan nor the Recreation Master Plan.
(e) ...to sell a park, cemetery, or any part of a park or cemetery, except where the park is not required under an official master plan of the city;
This law was successfully upheld against the City of Novi in the late-90s. Royal Oak Commissioners have been made aware of this state law on at least two separate occasions during the discussed sale of Normandy Oaks.
