SPRING LAKE — Village Council voted 6-1 Monday night to enter into an agreement to pursue purchasing land directly west of Mill Point Park for preserved "green space" and future uses.

The parcel consists of about 8 acres of wetland and nearly an acre of dry land between School Street and Village Cove Marina on the south side of Savidge Street.

Although no specific plans are imminent, village officials said the upland portion of the site — which is the only part of the current purchase agreement — could be used for an expansion of Mill Point Park or an access road running parallel to Savidge Street that would service the Holiday Inn. Other options include a dog park and short-term brush collection site in the event of an emergency, according to Village Manager Ryan Cotton.

Plans are already in the works and conservation easements exist for the continuation of the Grand River Greenway (a bike/pedestrian path) on that site.

The village is the owner of the adjacent wetland portion of the parcel via a November 2003 warranty deed from property owner Howard Emerson. That deed has not been recorded with the Ottawa County register of deeds — but will be soon, according David TenCate, Emerson's commercial real estate attorney.

Emerson first offered the land for sale to the village about four years ago for $280,000, according to Cotton. Emerson recently said he would sell the property to the municipality for $119,000 in a 10-year land contract.

Several residents and developers spoke at Monday's public hearing, after Cotton said he's researched and performed due diligence, and determined the upland portion of the parcel is "buildable." Cotton and council members agreed Monday night that it is unlikely the village would ever build a structure on the land.

Village resident Elliott Grysen, a local attorney, told council he considered purchasing the same parcel about four years ago. He encouraged the village to proceed with the land purchase.

"I think $119,000 is a fair price for what the village could do with it in the future," Grysen said.

Local developer Chris Peel and Spring Lake Township Treasurer Lou Draeger both encouraged village staff to obtain official wetland delineation before signing a formal purchase agreement.

Peel suggested hiring a certified appraiser to determine the property's value, citing the current real estate market. "What it was worth last year is not what it's worth this year," Peel said.

Councilman Scott VanStrate, who cast Monday's lone dissenting vote, said he would prefer the village save money for a future purchase of property "maybe in the township" that could be used for permanent brush storage.

Other council members disagreed.

"I think the idea of buying this land and keeping it as green space is a great idea," councilman Ryan Kelly said.

Village President Bill Filber said he's heard many concerns from residents that the village "is becoming a condominium village."

"I'm also concerned about having a balanced budget, and it's never an easy solution when it comes to spending public tax dollars, but this could be a public park for our citizens," Filber said. "We see this as an opportunity to get control of some land. I see it as something to preserve for many, many years ahead. We see this as a positive thing for our children's children."

The land purchase is contingent upon a satisfactory environmental report and final council approval, which could happen at its Nov. 17 meeting.