LANSING – A plan 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 to Livonia moved one step closer to becoming state law today and will soon be taken up by the full House of Representatives.
"Developing the former hospital site will help create jobs now and stimulate our economy, and those are my top priorities," Corriveau said. "We have an opportunity to craft a development that will put our residents to work, boost our economy and complement Northville Township's vision. I know we can work together to find a solution that benefits all parties involved and get this project moving."
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. It was approved today by the House Intergovernmental, Urban and Regional Affairs Committee.
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. In response to the pushback, talk of annexing the land to neighboring Livonia has been heard around town.
"Two years ago, I ran against Marc Corriveau, but today I stand proudly by his side and offer sound praise for a job well done," Northville Township Supervisor Mark Abbo said. "Representative Corriveau has done an excellent job of bridging the divide between the township and the developer. His bill represents the kind of sound policy that rises above partisan politics to serve the greater good."