The Clinton Township Board of Trustees held off on discussing a controversial item relating to Henry Ford Macomb Hospital from a Monday night meeting.
International Transmission Company (ITC) Michigan is seeking approval of a special land use application and site development build a series of utility poles carrying power transmission lines in the area of 19 Mile Road, east of Hayes Road, to provide additional electricity to the hospital.
Clerk Kim Meltzer said the issue has been deleted from the agenda due to the board not receiving information trustees were waiting on.
“The delays are the result of ITC not giving us accurate findings,” Meltzer said in a text message. She said the board needs the information from ITC “in order to make an informed decision.
Gary Kirsh, a regional manager for local Government & Community Affairs for ITC, said the agency is compiling extra information requested by the township.
“ITC has and will continue to work with the township board to ensure all required information is provided to move forward with this critical project to ensure completion of the interconnection request and that Henry Ford Hospital has the required power needed to properly service the community,” Kirsh said in a statement. “Currently, we have provided all required information in accordance with township ordinances. The township has requested additional information which we are in the process of compiling.
There is no new date for when the item will be on the agenda.
Henry Ford Hospital Macomb representatives say the request follows completion of the Janet & Jim Riehl Patient Tower, a five-story, 225,000-square-foot addition featuring 160 private patient rooms. The $300 million project is the largest healthcare investment in Macomb County history, according to information on Henry Ford Health’s website.
Much of the electricity from the new line will go to powering the new patient tower for and empowering the area’s future power needs, officials said.
If the power line project isn’t approved, ITC will likely have to request before the Michigan Public Service Commission, a process that could take as long as 2-3 years, officials say.
The MPSC, which regulates utilities and approves utility rate increases, can endorse the plan through an order.
Mike Markel, vice president of operations and chief nursing officer for Henry Ford Macomb, said the existing power lines that run to the hospital are close to operating at capacity levels.
Some residents who live in the Westchester Village Condominiums have objected to the installation of the power lines, arguing the poles will less property values and are unsightly.
In addition to the utility lines plan, new township Supervisor Paul Gieleghem has asked for two additional items be deleted from tonight’s agenda. Those include appointments to the Personnel Vacancy Review and Budget Ways & Means committees.