Township acquires lots in Stillwater

DAVISON TWP. — The township has taken possession of the deeds to more than two dozen lots in the unfinished Stillwater Condominium Development on Davison Road, west of Irish Road.

The Board of Trustees voted Feb. 13 to accept the deeds after they reverted to the Genesee County Land Bank due to unpaid taxes.

Supervisor Kurt Soper said while the township is not getting into the real estate business, it made sense for the township to take over the lots because it has already been taking care of lawn mowing and upkeep on the abandoned property.

In all the township took possession of 25 lots in Stillwater and three others on Aloha Street, all of which had gone for years with unpaid property taxes.

“Your resources are being put forth to maintain and try and get these properties back into circulation,” said Township Attorney David Lattie, “to make them tax producing parcels again.”

Resident Ed Morey objected to the township taking over tax reverted properties, citing problems with similar types of property in Burton.

“What good is there in us owning the properties?” he asked. “There’s been nothing but trouble with this sort of thing in Burton. Why do we want the hassle and expense?”

Lattie said the township is already taking care of the sites out of necessity, so it should have the benefit of owning them until they can be sold.

Soper said once the property goes back on the tax rolls, the Land Bank will collect the taxes on it for five years due to its role in acquiring them, but afterwards the township will reap all the tax rewards.