FeedsAnnexation legislation clears hurdle
Legislation designed to protect townships from annexation proceedings cleared another hurdle yesterday.
State Rep. Marc Corriveau said his bill, House Bill (HB) 5779, was approved by the House Committee on Intergovernmental, Urban and Regional Affairs on Wednesday. It will soon go to a vote in the full House of Represenatives.
Corriveau’s plan will protect Northville Township from losing 414 acres of land in the eastern part of the township to Livonia by exempting charter townships or cities with populations of 20,000 or more from annexation.
The issue has come up during the past several months as township officials and representatives from REIS development have wrangled over the development of the former Northville Psychiatric Hospital site. The company won the right to develop the property when it purchased it from the State of Michigan for $31.5 million. Negotiations since then have landed both sides in court.
“Representative Corriveau has done an excellent job of bridging the divide between the township and the developer,” said Township Supervisor Mark Abbo—who ran against Corriveau two years ago. “His bill represents the kind of sound policy that rises above partisan politics to serve the greater good.”
Corriveau said he hopes the legislation will foster a new era of cooperation between township officials and the developers.
“We have an opportunity to craft a development that will put our residents to work, boost our economy and complement Northville Township’s vision,” said he. “I know we can work together to find a solution that benefits all parties involved and get this project moving.”
Developers have proposed a project called ‘Highwood’ that officials and residents alike have said is too dense for the area and would have a negative impact on property values and the quality of life in the township—and as far away as downtown Northville.
A grass roots citizens’ group, Citizens For Northville (CFN) is putting on a town hall on the issue tonight. The meeting will start at 7 p.m. and take place at the Highland Lakes Clubhouse, which is on Silver Springs Drive between Seven Mile and Eight Mile roads.
