The Virginia Institute of Marine Science plans to purchase six lots to form a buffer with a nearby neighborhood.

The six lots will provide space between the VIMS boat basin and the adjacent neighborhood up the hill toward Tyndall Point Park, said VIMS’ media director Dave Malmquist.

The Hampton Roads Sanitation District voted to sell the lots to VIMS during a meeting Nov. 28.

The properties are on Vernon Street and Franklin Road at Gloucester Point. HRSD purchased three vacant lots in 1992 with the intent of constructing a future pressure reducing station (PRS) on the site, but has since determined that there is no longer need for a PRS in this area.

On Aug. 30, 2016, HRSD also purchased three adjacent lots in that area and relocated the property owner in an effort to resolve the damage caused by excessive drainage and sediment runoff to the existing house. Minutes of the Nov. 28 meeting said that HRSD has since demolished that structure.

VIMS has agreed to an offer price of...