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Council authorizes advertisement of $3,000 offer to buy city-owned lot; neighbors raise community-use concerns
Summary
Council authorized advertising an upset bid for a city lot on which a neighbor, Cora Maciver, offered $3,000; councilors expressed concerns about long-term community access and noted covenants that would run with the property for 15 years.
The Sanford City Council on Feb. 4 authorized staff to advertise an upset-bid notice after receiving an offer to purchase a city-owned vacant lot on ****** Street for $3,000.
Staff said the lot has long been used as a passive park under a lease to BridAl Capital Community Development Corporation and has hosted National Night Out and other neighborhood events. The memo in the council packet said the current tax value is $9,200 and that BridAl Capital would release its lease for the property if the sale proceeds. Staff noted one adjacent owner previously purchased an adjoining partial lot for $32.50 and later recombined parcels; the packet included a map and prior disposal plat for context.
Some council members raised concerns about losing community open space if the property transfers to private ownership, asking whether heirs or future owners might restrict community events. Staff responded that the proposed sale includes covenants that would run with the property for 15 years and that any future development would still be subject to planning and zoning review. The city will publish a 10-day upset-bid notice in the newspaper as required; if a higher bid is submitted, the council will consider it.
Council approved the resolution to advertise the offer by motion and voice vote.
