I have been contacted by property owners from whom ITC is seeking right of way for a new transmission line project in Ann Arbor and Pittsfield Township
ITC’s website identifies new projects that it is contemplating. One of those projects is identified as the Ann Arbor Transmission Line Project. According to ITC’s website ITC has identified multiple proposed routes. This link shows those routes, as shown below.
However, it appears that ITC’s website is not up to date because I have been contacted by property owners from whom ITC seeks an easement. The easement is quite expansive in that it allows both clearcutting in a wide swath of property and places future building restrictions.
Given that ITC anticipated construction of the process starting already (in the second quarter of 2017) and ITC is seeking easement, ITC is likely commencing the appraisal process for those owners prudent enough to avoid granting easements voluntarily.
A return to Washtenaw County will mean that I have come full circle in my representation of property owners against them. My first project against them was in Washtenaw County, then Oakland County, then Wayne County, then Kalamazoo County for a new capital project like this, then Lapeer County for a hybrid capital and vegetation management project, then Macomb County where I am currently representing 24 households, then back to Wayne County where I am currently representing 4 households, and now we will return to Washtenaw County.
This blog post identifies issues that people may wish to consider when confronted by an ITC project.
If you have been contacted by ITC about this or any other project, please feel free to contact me.