Hartland Township Seeks to Rent Newly Acquired Properties for Farming

is looking to lease farmland on more than 125 acres it recently bought at a tax foreclosure auction, seeking sealed bids by 1 p.m. Nov. 29, according to a news release.

The land, on three separate parcels, previously was being rented for farming, but township officials said since it was now publicly owned, a bid process was needed, Township Manager James Wickman said.

A winning bid is expected to be approved Dec. 6, the release said.

The township in September in hopes to recoup about $1 million in losses from unpaid taxes as well as avoid possible future late fees and interest in any future unpaid taxes from possible land speculators.

Wickman said the township is expecting a few thousand dollars annually from the deal based on market rents. The township hopes to resell the property to a developer and farming will help make the land easier to develop, he said.

The township assessment department says the undeveloped land is worth $1.7 million. The parcels are:

• 18 acres at the northeast corner of Clyde Road and U.S. 23.
• 29 acres at the northwest corner of M-59 and Fenton Road.
• 79 acres at the soutwest corner of M-59 and Pleasant Valley Road.

The township has more information about the properties on its website and a PDF copy of its news release is included here.