LANSING – The Michigan House today passed a bill proposed by State Representative Marc Corriveau (D-Northville) that aims to help resolve the dispute over the site of the former Northville Psychiatric Hospital and protect 414 acres in Northville Township from being annexed. The bill, which passed 101 to 8 and is headed to the State Senate, moves forward through the Legislature the day after a petition to annex the land into Livonia was delivered to the Northville Township clerk's office on Tuesday.
"This plan will give Northville Township and other large, urbanized townships in the state a say in how their land is developed," Corriveau said. "Developing the former hospital site will help create jobs for our workers now and stimulate our economy, which are my two top priorities. We can craft a development that will put our residents to work, boost our economy and complement Northville Township's vision, which is the right way to move this community forward."
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 land in question, the site of the former Northville Psychiatric Hospital, has been the subject of local controversy since developer REIS unveiled a plan for a large development. Northville Township leaders and residents want the land to be developed to create jobs and promote economic growth in a way that is consistent with the township's overall vision. The concern is that the plan proposed by REIS would create an area that is too dense and would contribute to traffic congestion at the intersection of 7 Mile Road and Haggerty Road.
Local groups have been vocal about the need for controlled growth. A large grassroots effort is growing to develop a plan that includes residential, commercial and mixed-use development, and fits in with the special character of Northville Township.
"My bill has been endorsed by Northville Township's leaders as the best way to move forward while looking out for the best interests of our residents and our community," Corriveau said. "With annexation proceedings pending now, the House passed a plan today to protect our townships and allow good faith negotiations about the scope of development to continue."