By DORIS COOK

Staff Writer

dcook@starbeacon.com

ORWELL - - Prospective buyers at the July 27 auction of the old Grand Valley High School site will probably need zoning changes before any of it can be developed, says Mayor Larry Bottoms.

Superintendent John Sheet said the board originally wanted to sell the 9.7-acre parcel in one piece. Sheets later discussed an option with the boards auctioneer, Mike Davis with Rennolds Realty and Auctioneers in Middlefield, about selling the land in four separate parcels as another option.

The auction sale begins at 6 p.m. on the North School Street site.

The four parcels with three facing North School Street and the largest parcel (6.55 acres) facing Central Avenue could bring more money if sold separately, Sheets said. One drawback with the parcels on North School Street involves a small sliver of land comprising .18 of an acre.

Mayor Larry Bottoms said that parcel is not a buildable lot under the village zoning regulations because of size and lack of enough frontage. The land is zoned for "government use" and limited under village zoning for use.

"It doesnt make sense for the board to sell a .18 of an acre lot. You cant build on it, but it could be combined with another parcel. People should be aware of these restrictions on the small parcels the school board has advertised for their auction," Bottoms said.

Sheets said hes relied on Davis advice to sell the site in the four divided parcels or as a whole. The parcels are identified on the countys tax duplicate this way.

"There is no intent to mislead anybody," Sheets said Monday at the board meeting. "The terms of the sale will have people buying the property as is," he said.

The school board did not remove a section of perimeter fencing, the old press box and concession stand at the former football field, which comprises the larger 6.55-acre parcel. One northerly parcel on North School Street includes a 12 to 15-foot easement held by Orwell to get access to its elevated water storage tank.

The easement dates back to January 1941 when the village was granted a 99-year lease for $1 first from Orwell Township trustees. The easement then was transferred between the village and the Orwell Village School District Board, according to village documents.