Commission reviews and approves release of county reverter so Trenton can use parcels with DTE for energy storage; some commissioners question timing
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Summary
The committee approved a release of a county reverter in a 2004 quitclaim deed so the city of Trenton and DTE can use contiguous parcels; counsel said the commission’s later approval still matters, while some commissioners pressed that the deal was already executed in March and should have come to the county earlier.
The Wayne County Committee on Public Services voted to approve a release of reverter language tied to a 2004 quitclaim deed so the city of Trenton can clear title for parcels on West Jefferson Avenue that will be used in connection with DTE, including a battery energy storage facility. Assistant corporation counsel Jim Journey told the committee the deed included a reverter provision requiring the county's approval to dispose of an interest in property.
Journey said the city acquired the parcels years ago and that city-owned lots had remained vacant; in this instance the city and DTE sought a release of the reverter so DTE could use the land for public-purpose facilities associated with the utility’s transition away from some coal-fired generation. Journey told commissioners the county’s property disposition ordinance requires commission approval to dispose of property interests.
Several commissioners expressed concern that the arrangement appeared to have been completed in March before the county was asked to release the reverter, and they pressed counsel on whether the timing reduced the commission’s authority. Corporation counsel replied the vote still matters and could have practical consequences; he described the county’s action as an effort to “clean up” title for the record. Barbara Reichwalder, head of government relations for DTE, appeared with counsel and said the parcels are contiguous with DTE property and that the city’s use aligns with the intended public purpose.
The reverter release was included in an omnibus motion to approve items 2 through 9; the chair announced the motion carried. One commissioner said they intended to make a formal motion on the item next Thursday, and counsel urged members that disposing of property interests must come before the commission in accordance with county ordinance.
The committee did not record a detailed roll-call tally in the transcript; the chair recorded the omnibus motion as carried.