IRONWOOD, MI - Thursday, April 03, 2008 - The Ironwood Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on Wednesday, April 02, 2008, at the City Commission Chambers on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building, followed by their Regular Monthly Meeting.

RE-ZONING 1301 NORTH LAWRENCE STREET

The Hearing was called to order by Chairman John Wyssling at 5:30 PM CDT. Planning Commission Secretary Jane Bowman took roll and noted that Bob Schomberg was excused. Attending the meeting (from left to right facing the audience) were (1) Debbie Bowles, (2) Sam Davey, (3) Mark Fitting, (4) John Kasieta, (5) Chairman John Wyssling, (6) Eric Lytwyniuk, (7) Jackie Powers, and (8) Margaret Rayner.

The purpose of last night's Public Hearing was to review and consider action on Case Number 08-04 relative to a Re-zoning Request submitted by Roger Kolehmainen as follows: Re-zone the following parcel from R-1 (Single Family Residential) to C-3 (Highway Commercial) - 1301 North Lawrence Street, Ironwood, Michigan.

Roger Kolehmainen explained to the Commission that he wished to convert the home he purchased on Lawrence Street into a non-profit food pantry. Marvin LaGrew, Jared Bratu, Jim Rady, Chuck Suzik and others supported the idea. Arguments were made that the property is currently blighted and by re-zoning it, it could be an asset to the neighborhood.

Rose and Eero Haukkala, Jim Simmons, and others opposed the re-zoning. Reasons for the opposition included the dilapidated condition of the existing structure – Simmons told the Commission the building should be bulldozed; the fact that it would be the only commercially zoned property in a residential neighborhood; and concerns that C-3 zoning would allow just about any business to locate there if the plans for a food pantry failed to come to fruition.

After a somewhat lengthy debate over this issue, a vote was taken to consider action on re-zoning. Mark Fitting, stating that he was a business neighbor of Mr. Kolehmainen, abstained from casting a vote.

The request for re-zoning the property was voted down by the Commission by a vote of 4 to 3, with Bowles, Davey, Powers and Rayner voting to deny the request and Kasieta, Lytwyniuk, and Wyssling voting to approve.

Immediately following the Public Hearing, Chairman Wyssling called the regular meeting to order. The minutes from the March 5, 2008 and March 26, 2008 meetings were approved.

STACEY JACKSON'S RESIGNATION

Wyssling received and placed on file Stacey Jackson's Letter of Resignation and pointed out that she served the Commission well and that he wished he well in her future endeavors.

SEXUALLY ORIENTED BUSINESSES

The Commission then discussed the Proposed Chapter 35 of the new zoning ordinances regarding sexually oriented businesses. The soon-to-open Pipe and Bike store on Aurora Street is what spurred the Commission to action. The application for business was not clear, and there are many questions that need to be addressed regarding the newly proposed business.

Several people commented on proposed business plan, and there was virtually no support for the new venture. The owner of the new shop, Don Morrison, is a registered sex offended. Members of the New Beginnings Board of Directors addressed the Commission with their concerns. New Beginnings is a pregnancy counseling service. The director, Sue Flynn told the Commission that the City needs to have laws that protect customers, and neighboring businesses from sex offenders.

Morrison's business plan calls for a Pipe and Bike shop, in which he plans on rebuilding bicycles for resale. He also plans on selling "tobacco" pipes in the new shop as well. The back of the Pipe and Bike shop will house the Loop, which is a clothing store that will feature primarily "dance" clothing. In a previous interview, Morrison told the Chronicle that he also was going to feature computers in there store where people can play downloaded games for a fee. On the other side of the old Johnson Music Store (Videoland) Morrison plans on putting a Motor sports store that will sell and repair snowmobiles, ATV's, four-wheelers, etc. According to Morrison part of the business will be open to all ages – part will be open only to adults.

Previously, Morrison and a former business partner, tried to purchase the old Colonial Skateland. They went before the City Commission to have the property re-zoned commercial. In an interview with the Chronicle Morrison said he wanted to open a quality business to sell off-road vehicles and parts and "give back" to the community.

It was mentioned that the City should adopt an ordinance that would prevent registered sex offenders from opening businesses in Ironwood. It was also suggested that the City start doing criminal background checks on applicants for business licenses.

The Planning Commission, after considering all of the public comments presented, unanimously voted to have Chapter 35 of the Code of Ordinances presented to the City Commission for final approval.

Chairman Wyssling pointed out that the City's existing ordinances already address some of the concerns of the people. He noted that Morrison needs to comply with all existing ordinances, and if he doesn't, he will not be able to operate his business in Ironwood.

PROJECT UPDATES

Dennis Hewitt told the Commission that the new Walgreens is looking at a July opening.

SURPLUS PROPERTY

The Commission ruled last night to recommend declaring property located off of Frenchtown Road across from the abandoned City Landfill surplus and offering it for sale at a price to be determined by the Planning Commission. According to City law, the property needs to be advertised for sale and put up for bids.

Jerry Pisani of Pisani Beverage expressed interest in the property. He has approached the Planning Commission on several occasions trying to purchase City land to develop a storage facility. He was previously denied property on Ayer Street that he wanted to use for that purpose. Pisani explained that he would eventually like to build several storage buildings on the 4 or five acre parcel.

Commissioner Powers questioned the logic of using existing greens space for such a development. She asked why Mr. Pisani didn't just buy up some old dilapidated houses in the area – tear them down – and build storage sheds there. Pisani said that nothing was suitable and that paying to have buildings torn down would make his project impractical. He told Powers people like to build where they like to build.

VACATING SEPPLAN STREET 

David Beckman requested to have public land vacated. The land in question is a road that never really was a road. It was platted out to be a road, but a road was never built on the property. According to City Ordinance, if a street or alley are vacated half of the property goes to the landowners on each side of the alley or street.

Beckman pointed out to the Commission that he owned most of the land surround the street in question. He is confident that having the vacated street as part of his parcel would increase his property value.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS

Prior to adjourning the meeting, Chairman Wyssling announced the following appointments: (1) US-2 Corridor Committee - Sam Davey, Mark Fitting, Eric Lytwyniuk, Jackie Powers; (2) Comprehensive Plan Committee - Bob Schomberg, Jackie Powers, and John Wyssling; (3) Street Committee - Marge Rayner, Sam Davey; (4) Civic Committee - Debbie Bowles (5) Equipment Committee - John Kasieta (6) Snowmobile ATV Route Committee - Mark Fitting, Sam Davey & Eric Lytwyniuk; (7) Alley Vacation Surplus Property - John Kasieta, Jackie Powers, Debbie Bowles, & Bob Schomberg; (8) Zoning Ordinance Committee- Marge Rayner, Mark Fitting, Debbie Bowles.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:20 PM CDT.

AUDIO 

Jim Albert