Opinion ID: 846038
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: essential facts and procedural history

Text: This case involves a large reconstruction project on Telegraph Road, also known as M-24, in the city of Taylor. Telegraph is a major thoroughfare in the city. About 70,000 vehicles travel on its four-mile stretch each day. Plaintiff city of Taylor indicates that Telegraph is the most heavily congested business district in the city. Hundreds of traffic accidents occur there each year, and some involve collisions with utility poles. Defendant Detroit Edison's utility poles run along Telegraph within Taylor's right-of-way. Edison's facilities were placed in the right-of-way pursuant to a franchise agreement that made clear that Taylor did not surrender its control over any streets, highways, or public places. In 1999, Taylor began work in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Transportation on the Telegraph reconstruction project. It involved a massive overhaul of the right-of-way, calling for new pavement, new sidewalks, new water mains, new street lights, and new conduit for median irrigation and utilities. A significant part of the plan involved the relocation of Edison's facilities below ground. The parties disagreed about who was responsible to pay for the relocation, and after negotiations failed, the Taylor City Council passed Taylor Ordinance 00-344. It directed all persons owning, leasing, operating, or maintaining overhead lines, wires, poles, or facilities to relocate them underground and to remove all aboveground facilities. The work was specified to be done at the expense of the persons owning, leasing, operating, or maintaining the overhead facilities. The ordinance listed several reasons why relocation was required. It enhanced public safety by preventing falling and downed poles and wires, by eliminating vehicle collisions with the facilities, and by enhancing drivers' visibility and sightlines. The ordinance stated that underground lines would operate more reliably than overhead lines. Finally, it pointed out that the removal of poles and overhead lines would improve aesthetics and facilitate the future development of the city. Edison objected to the ordinance and refused to relocate its facilities at its own expense. Taylor advanced a portion of the cost of relocation so that the project could progress, but reserved the right to litigate to recover its expenditures. When, in time, it sued Edison to enforce the ordinance, both parties sought summary disposition. The trial court granted Taylor's motion, denied Edison's motion, and ordered Edison to reimburse Taylor. Edison appealed in the Court of Appeals, which affirmed the ruling. It remanded the case on a subissue regarding the sufficiency of some of the conduit that Taylor had installed. City of Taylor v. Detroit Edison Co., 263 Mich.App. 551, 689 N.W.2d 482 (2004). This Court subsequently granted leave to appeal and heard oral argument. 474 Mich. 877, 704 N.W.2d 75 (2005).