Title
The Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department approves the issuance of an Easement Encroachment Permit for the City of Sterling Heights, and authorizes the Director to take such action as may be necessary to effectuate the permit
Body
Agenda of July 15, 2026
Item No. 2026-163
TO: The Honorable
Board of Water Commissioners
City of Detroit, Michigan
FROM: Gary Brown, Director
Water and Sewerage Department
RE: Approval of Easement Encroachment Permit
GLWA GEEP 2603 - M-59 Shared Use Path
44950 Dequindre Road
Sterling Heights, Michigan
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Scott MacGriff, Chief General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (“DWSD”) hereby approves an Easement Encroachment Permit authorizing the City of Sterling Heights (“Applicant”) to construct a shared-use path within an existing DWSD easement over a GLWA-leased water transmission main located at 44950 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights, Michigan, and authorizes the Director to execute the permit and to take such further actions as may be necessary to implement and administer the permit consistent with its terms and conditions.
BACKGROUND / JUSTIFICATION
The City of Sterling Heights is constructing a shared-use path near Dobry Road and Dequindre Road in Sterling Heights. The project requires construction of an asphalt shared-use path crossing an existing DWSD easement associated with a GLWA-leased water transmission main.
DWSD Engineering and Permitting staff, in coordination with GLWA, reviewed the proposed encroachment and determined that the project is compatible with the continued operation, maintenance, and protection of the public utility facilities, subject to the conditions set forth in the Easement Encroachment Permit. The permit preserves DWSD's paramount easement rights and requires the Applicant to maintain appropriate insurance, indemnify DWSD and GLWA, restore the easement following construction, and bear responsibility for any future relocation of the encroachment or damage to public utility facilities resulting from the permitted work.
Approval of this resolution authorizes issuance and administration of the Easement Encroachment Permit, allowing the project to proceed while protecting DWSD and GLWA infrastructure and the interests of Detroit ratepayers.