By: K. Michelle Moran | Grosse Pointe Times | Published August 27, 2019

GROSSE POINTE FARMS — Following a closed-door discussion after an Aug. 12 regular meeting, the Grosse Pointe Farms City Council voted unanimously in favor of purchasing a vacant residential parcel located at the corner of Moross Road and Chalfonte Avenue, City Manager Shane Reeside said.

He said the property was purchased with money from the water and sewer fund, and the city is eyeing the property as a possible stormwater retention site.

“We acquired it based on the recommendation of our city engineers,” Reeside said. “There’s no immediate plans to do anything with the property. It was an opportunity to purchase the property while it was on the market.”

Currently zoned single-family residential and flanked by homes on either side, the property is 0.8 acres, which Reeside said is a bit larger than the standard residential parcel in that area. It formerly had a home on it, but that home was torn down some time ago. According to the real estate website Zillow, the asking price from listing agents with Real Estate in the Pointes had been $484,900. The city agreed to buy the land for $393,000, Reeside said. Zillow shows that the parcel has been on the market since January 2017.

Although the corner lot backs up to the Country Club of Detroit’s golf course — normally considered a scenic advantage — its location at a relatively busy intersection makes it a bit less desirable than similar properties, Reeside said.

Because the parcel is at a low elevation, he said it tends to collect stormwater runoff.

“It’s also a very visible corner in the community,” Reeside said. “It’s an opportunity for (the city) to have control of it for aesthetic purposes.”

The property is currently screened by a couple of rows of arbor vitae.