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Board approves DTE undergrounding easement tied to Nixon Road project
Summary
The board voted to grant an underground right-of-way to DTE Electric to enable relocation of a power line connected to a neighboring AT&T building as part of the Clegg Building project; an architect testified the ALTA survey showed no easement for the DTE line that needed vacating.
The Ann Arbor Public Schools Board voted Aug. 11 to adopt a resolution granting an underground right-of-way for a DTE Electric line referenced in the meeting packet and to authorize the superintendent or her designee to execute documents necessary to complete the grant.
Trustee Baskett moved the resolution and Trustee Schmidt supported it. During discussion an external consultant who identified himself as an architect reviewed the property's ALTA survey and title search and stated "there is no easement for the DTE line currently, so no easement to vacate." The architect explained the change is needed because the project will relocate an existing overhead line that serves a small AT&T building on district property; the undergrounding is intended to facilitate the district's planned work around that parcel.
Trustees asked for clarification about easement function and project need; the architect described the easement as a property restriction that allows a utility to access and maintain buried lines and explained the district had previously purchased property and related easements when it acquired a former church parcel. Trustee Baskett characterized the easement as necessary for the Clegg Building project and the motion passed on a roll-call vote.
What happens next: District staff and DTE will proceed with easement documentation and execution as authorized by the board.
