Ann Arbor votes to close park sale "loophole"

From the Ann Arbor News:

To some officials, it was a matter of ensuring the public trust that the Ann Arbor City Council won't sell parkland.

To others, it was considered an overreaction to an extremely unlikely occurrence.

The City Council voted 7-2 Monday night to not close what one council member called a loophole that would allow the sale of parkland without a state-mandated vote of the people. First Ward Council Members Bob

State law prevents the city from selling parks land that is part of the city master plan. The "loophole'' surfaced after the city of Novi used 75 acres of parkland in 2002 as part of a settlement with a developer that had won a multimillion-dollar lawsuit against that city. The parkland was part of the 440-acre North Novi Park and was rezoned as "surplus'' property. The developer is using it for residential projects, a Novi city official has said.

Read more at Parkland-sale vote rule loses- mlive.com

OAKLAND COUNTY: New park spot adds to friction

From the Detroit Free Press:

Oakland County is on the verge of spending nearly $2 million for a piece of land that would become the 12th county park.

The 260 acres at Milford and White Lake roads in Highland Township would become Highland Oaks, a park that can be used for hiking, horseback riding, fishing or cross-country skiing. The Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission will pay $1.9 million for the land, while the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund will pick up the other $1.3 million of the cost.

The Oakland County Board of Commissioners is expected to approve the state grant Thursday, paving the way for the park to open in late summer. But some commissioners remain uneasy that yet another park would open in north Oakland while a controversy brews over Catalpa Park, a sliver of land in Southfield that many feel should have been the next county park.

Eight of the county's 11 parks are in the north end of the county, and south-end residents were hoping that adding Catalpa Park to the parks system would help level the playing field.

OAKLAND COUNTY: New park spot adds to friction

Oakland County's Newest Park

Some have claimed that Oakland County Parks does not have the money to acquire parks such as Normandy Oaks in Southeast Oakland County. They certainly have enough money to acquire parks in Northern Oakland County.

From the Spinal Column:
Highland Township is just one step away from being the official home to a new Oakland County park.

After approval by the Oakland County Parks and Recreation Commission in January and approval from two Oakland County Board of Commissioners committees last month, the full Board of Commissioners will make a final decision tomorrow, Thursday, April 5 on whether to accept a $1.44-million Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (NRTF) grant to acquire 260 acres in northern Highland.

While the grant will provide $1.44 million, the total purchase price is expected to be $3.6 million. The county is expected pick up about 60 percent of that cost, or $2.16 million. That funding is expected to come out of the county's capital improvement budget, which includes money set aside for land acquisition.
Spinal Column Online

City Commission rejects Normandy bids

From the Detroit News:

Now, after a year of debate on how to solve the problem, Commissioner Michael Andrzejak asked his colleagues on the commission to dump the idea of selling the golf course and begin a sincere dialogue on how to pay for hiring more cops in a city where narcotics violations jumped 21.7 percent in one year and crime increased 18.7 percent from 2000 to 2005.

"I'm going to leave it to the administration to look to where they reformulate the budget and absorb the costs. The police chief says crime is up Royal Oak had 150 (drug) overdoses. It's an epidemic," Andrzejak said. "The city needs an action plan to address this."

At Monday's meeting, the commission approved Andrzejak's request to reject all proposals for Normandy Oaks because the 2005 bids are now invalid due to a sagging real estate market.

Offers ranged from $4 million and $18 million for the 49-acre property, but many developers have said the bids would need to be re-evaluated based on market conditions. At a budget study session in early February, city officials recommended that a nonbinding vote of the people was needed to determine whether to even sell the nine-hole golf course.

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To: City of Royal Oak Commissioners

Re: Normandy Oaks Proposal

I propose the Commission consider a major golf course/park sale or lease arrangement with Oakland County Parks.

As proposed, the parks and golf courses would include:
• Normandy Oaks
• Royal Oak Golf Course
• Royal Oak Golf Center
• Elks Park
• Rotary Park
• Memorial Park

I would also suggest that any such sale or lease include a deed reverter clause that ensures these park lands remain open to public recreation and open space preservation.

I see this as a win-win solution for both Royal Oak and the County.

Royal Oak Benefits

• Reduces pressure to sell city parks and golf courses to solve budget shortfalls
• Reduces city parks and recreation costs
• Generates cash payment if a sale is pursued
• Brings county park millage dollars back to Royal Oak

Oakland County Parks Benefits

• Greatly expands their offerings within Southeast Oakland County

As you probably know, Oakland County Parks has a solid track record for providing quality recreational facilities. Also, they are very successful in pursuing recreational grant dollars to expand and improve their parks. In the past, they have shown interest in acquiring Normandy Oaks.

I would also suggest that any proceeds from such a sale be placed in a park endowment fund that would provide capital funding for the remaining city parks.

Attached is a map of parks and golf courses mentioned above.

Normandy Oaks controversy could visit November ballot

Following this year’s budget discussions, the Royal Oak City Commission may ask residents for input on the possible sale of Normandy Oaks Golf Course through a ballot question this November.

City Manager Tom Hoover proposed the possible ballot question on Feb. 3 at a special budget meeting where commissioners further discussed the possibility of selling the 49-acre course as a way to alleviate the city’s $912,000 deficit. The advisory ballot question remains a way for the City Commission to gauge whether the public agrees with selling the city asset, located at 4234 Delemere Blvd.

“The best and undisputed way to find out what the public wants is to place a question on the ballot,” Hoover said. “This way, residents who are upset about the situation can get out and vote.”"

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Normandy Oaks debate full of complications

The City Commission won't sell Normandy Oaks Golf Course unless voters approve the sale.

The commission also won't sell the golf course unless the sale will bring in a substantial amount of money.

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Sale of Normandy Oaks Golf Course back on table

From the Mirror News:

The City Commission put the possible sale of Normandy Oaks Golf Course back on the table for discussion.

During Monday night's meeting, commissioners argued the benefits of keeping or selling the city-owned golf course, but the discussion won't go anywhere unless developers are still interested in paying a high price for the land.


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County wants to add smaller parks

From the Oakland Press:

County commissioners in south Oakland County have long complained of a lack of park development in the south.

Most county parks are large and in the less developed northern and western parts of the county.

"The reality is that the bulk of the taxpayers are in southeast Oakland County," said Commissioner Dave Woodward, D-Royal Oak.

"Most people realize that the large-acreage parks are going to be in the less-developed parts of the county, but not at the expense of not being creative and developing an urban park strategy in the existing developed areas," Woodward said. "It's a shining opportunity to provide quality parks services in an area that's more accessible than other areas."

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