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Council to review request to buy city lot at 34200 Hathaway; staff recommends planning‑commission process
Summary
A resident asked to buy a city‑owned lot at 34200 Hathaway Street; city counsel told council the property should typically go through planning‑commission surplus determination and a public bid process, and council agreed to place the item on the May 4 agenda for further review and referrals to assessing and law.
A Livonia resident asked the City Council to sell him a city‑owned lot at 34200 Hathaway Street, and council members agreed to move the request through the standard review process rather than approve an immediate direct sale.
Ray Berry told the council he offered $40,000 and that the city acquired the property by foreclosure for $22,000. City counsel (Termina) told the council the disposition of city‑owned property is governed by Chapter 3.05 of the Livonia Code of Ordinances, and that properties obtained by foreclosure and located in developed residential areas are typically treated as surplus and routed first to the planning commission for a public hearing. Termina recommended referring the matter to the assessing department to check the appraisal and to the law department to verify any liens and legal issues. He also said the council may adopt a resolution requiring a two‑thirds vote to bypass the planning commission in limited circumstances.
Council members pressed for clarity about demolition costs and liens so the city can recoup any expenses tied to the property. One council member offered a resolution to follow the process Termina described and to deny a direct sale at this time. Several members said they would welcome the requester to bid if the item goes to public sale. The council directed staff to have assessing and law review the file and confirmed the item will be placed on the regular May 4 agenda for formal action.
Why it matters: A direct sale without public bid can raise questions about fairness and the city’s ability to recover demolition or lien costs; the council chose a cautious, procedural route that preserves public notice and appraisal review before any sale.
What’s next: The council will consider a formal resolution or vote at its May 4 meeting after receiving assessing and law recommendations and any required documentation on liens, demolition costs and appraisal.
