IRONWOOD, MI - Friday, August 22, 2008 - The Ironwood Planning Commission held a public hearing prior to their rescheduled regular meeting on Wednesday evening. As a result of the hearing, the Commission voted to grant a conditional use permit to Robert D'Antonio that allows him to rent storage space in his building, the former Colonial Skateland. [SEE Related Article].

Following the public hearing, Chairman John Wyssling called the regular meeting to order. Planning Commission Secretary Jane Bowman called roll. All Commissioners, except Eric Lytwyniuk (excused), were present. Community Development Director Dan Petersen was also present for the meeting. Representing the media were Ralph Ansami, staff writer for the Ironwood Daily Globe; Steve Frank, Superior Chronicle photographer; and yours truly.

After the Commission approved the June 4th and June 24th meeting minutes, they went to work on the docket. The issues discussed were as follows:

Project Updates - Dan Petersen reviewed the project updates for the Commission:

• Bob Schonberg Industrial Park Development - Dan Petersen told the Commission that Mr. Schonberg is requesting a slight modification to the original site plan he submitted to the Commission. Schonberg wants to use a different material on his roof. Petersen handed the Commission a sample of the new material and turned the floor over to Schonberg. Schonberg told the Commission this new material available through Jacquart's Manufacturing was energy efficient and much stronger than conventional roofing materials. He pointed out that the material was warranteed for twenty-five years.
• Kari Jacquart and Louis Jagla, representatives of Jacquart's Manufacturing, addressed the Commission to introduce the material.
• Jagla told the Commission that the material is fire retardant; it's not overly sensitive to UV rays; and is available in several different weights. Jagla told the Commission that the matieral is similar to the DuraLast roof that Wayne Nasi uses on his roofs.
• Jacquart told the Commission that their fabric has the highest fire retardency rate of any other product on the market. It's colorfast, and very durable.
• Schonberg told the Commission that "S-Trusses" are used in the building and the material is draped over it. He reminded the Commission that the building will be used for cold storage.
• Blueprints Downtown Program - Petersen reminded the Commission that a Town Hall meeting was held regarding the Downtown improvement initiative. He said that the project is basically on hold until January when the planners are scheduled to begin Ironwood's plan.
• Neighborhood Preservation Program (NPP) Grant & Housing Grant - The housing grant will be in the Norrie location. There will be no cost to the City, that will be MSHDA and homeowner dollars. The NPP Grant will be near the proposed Hovey project.
• Trails/Bikeways Town Hall Meeting - Petersen told the Commission that a Trails and Bikeways Town Hall Meeting was held Tuesday night and those in attendance were brought up to speed on the progress of our trail system.
• New Gogebic County EDC Director - Dan Petersen announced that the County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) has a new director, Kathy Dishaw, who is from Ontonagon. Kathy was recently appointed to the Parks and Recreation Committee by Mayor Noren.
• Walgreens Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - There will be a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, August 22, 2008 at 9:00 AM. The public is welcome to attend.
• Joint Workshop on Blight - A joint workshop of the Blight Committee, the City Commission, the DIDA, and the Planning Commission will be meeting next Tuesday, August 26. 2008. The public is welcome to attend.
• Josephson's Nursing Home - Josephson's Nursing Home expansion is still moving forward, but the project will be done in two phases due to higher than expected estimates.
• Hovey's Towering Pines Project - According to Petersen, the project is still trying to move forward, "but things in Lansing keep getting thrown at them."

Woodburning Ordinance - The Commission has struggling to come up with a workable plan to deal with woodburning outdoor furnaces. There have been many complaints regarding air quality when it comes to using the outdoor units. One of the main problems with the outdoor furnaces is that the stacks are too low. Indoor units are required to have a stack that exceeds to roof line, and they also burn dry wood. Outdoor furnace manufacturers recommend that "green" wood or "unseasoned" wood be used. This creates a lower temperature burn and a less complete burn. Therefore, a larger amount of smoke is generated.

Dan Petersen handed out examples of other city's ordinances to the Commission.

Steve Frank addressed the Commission and told them that the design of the units is very poor. They depend on incomplete combustion. They are very inefficient. They are very expensive. And they are a health hazard due to the large amount of smoke they produce. He pointed out that our new Blight and Nuisance Ordinance addresses the issue of smoke, and that these units violate that ordinance. According to Frank, the ordinance also limits the amount of wood allowed to be stored in yards. Frank went on to say that he doesn't see the need to allow these units in the City.

• Complete Ban - Cities like Marquette have banned the use of outdoor furnaces.
• Heavy Restrictions - Cities like Ionia, Michigan have placed heavy restrictions on the units.
• Ironwood's Plan of Attack - Commissioner Mark Fitting told the Commission that he believed the Ionia ordinance could easily be adapted to suit Ironwood. He said it is quite restrictive, but it falls short of banning the units.
• One of the solutions the Commission is considering for existing units is to require them to have taller stacks -- duplicating those that are used for traditional indoor units.
• Commissioner Kasieta pointed out that the units aren't exactly pleasing to the eye. He suggested that a fence or an enclosure of some sort be required.
• Wyssling suggested following Hurley's ordinance to some degree. He said the City needs to be sensitive to the fact that there are local retailers that rely on the sale of these units.
• Dan Petersen told the Commission that he would draft an ordinance, based on the Ionia ordinance, that would suit Ironwood a bit better. Once completed, he would present it to the Commission to be considered.
• Mark Fitting suggested that local retailers of the units be invited to show their side of the issue to the Commission.

Obsolete Signs - Dan Petersen handed out sample ordinances that would address the issue. The issue was first presented by Jackie Powers. The new ordinance would also address sandwichboard signs and regulations for them.

• Closed Businesses - The Commission agreed that something needs to be done about business that have gone out of business. There were several suggestions made, however, as to how to address the issue. The general consensus was to require businesses to either remove business signs when a business has closed down, or to simply, neatly cover the signage. The Commission reasoned that completely removing the sign isn't always the best option, especially if the business space is leased or rented. Any new tenant to the building would have to completely erect a new sign, often at a huge expense. Allowing the obsolete signs to be covered makes it easier for new businesses to locate in Ironwood.
• Single Event Signs - Retail sales events, political campaign signs, garage sales, rummage sales, and other one time event signs need to be removed within 24 hours of the event. This is what the Planning Commission is proposing to change.
• Sign Ordinance in Ironwood's Future - The Planning Commission will continue to examine the issue and they will make a decision at a later date.

Ayer Street Development - Dan Petersen reminded the Commission that a one-year development hold was placed on any Ayer Street developments pending the completion of traffic flow studies. Previously, it was suggested that the Commission not rush into any developments along the street until the City realizes the traffic impact Wal-Mart makes on the area. Petersen provided traffic information to the Commission.

• Storage Units - Jerry Pisani, of Pisani Distributing, has been attempting to purchase four acres on the corner of Ayer and Bonnie Streets in order to construct storage buildings in that area. He's been going back in forth between the City Commission and the Planning Commission since last June trying to get an answer as to whether or not the City is willing to sell him the surplus property. He appeared again before the Planning Commission Wednesday. He again asked the same question... Is the City willing to sell the property?
• Recommedation to the City Commission - The Planning Commission voted to recommend to the City Commission that the one-year hold be lifted so progress can be made along Ayer Street. If the City Commission approves the recommendation, the property Pisani is interested in will go up for bids.

Location of Sexually Orineted Business District - Dan Petersen told the Planning Commission that the City Commission approved the language of the Sexually Orientated Business District, but wanted some more public input on the acutal location of the District. The Commission agreed to recommend to the City Commission that this issue be addressed at their next town hall meeting.

Comprehensive Plan Update - No progress to report.

New Michigan Planning Enabling Act/Bylaws - The Planning Commission agreed to have the Zoning Sub-Committee examine this new Act to make sure Ironwoods bylaws are in compliance. [READ MORE] Dan Petersen told the Commission that a special workshop is scheduled in Schoolcraft County next Wednesday, August 27, 2008 and that he feels it would be beneficial for any and all Commissioners to attend. The Commissioners will let Dan know who can attend as soon as possible.

Zoning for Electricity-Windmills - Dan Petersen told the Commission that he has received a phone call from an area resident that wants to place a electric generating windmill on his property. He noted that the current ordinance forbids the generation of electricity on residential property. Petersen told the Commission that he would start to search for a sample ordinance that the City could adopt.

Name Change for the Recreation/Cultural/Life Enrichment Committee - The Commission agreed to recommend the name to change, to "Parks and Recreation Committee," to the City of Ironwood.

Renewal of Planning and Zoning News Subscription - The Commission agreed to renew the Planning and Zoning News subscription.

Steve Frank Proposes a Change In Blight Committee - Steve Frank addressed the Planning Commission under the "Citizens wishing to address the Commission on items not on the Agenda" section of the docket, regarding the an idea he has for improving the current Blight Committee.

Frank pointed out that the current Blight Committee isn't very effective. The Committee doesn't have any power. It doesn't keep minutes at its meetings, and it could, in his mind, use some improvement.

He recommends reformulating the Blight Committee to have:

• Two City Commission members
• Two Planning Commission members
• Two Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA) members
• Three members of the general public

Frank went on to say that the first thing the new Committee would need to address is the method needed to properly handle the major problems the City has with blight. Frank went on to say that Ironwood's blight problems "go way beyond grass!"

"What we are doing now, just isn't cutting it." Frank said. "We have a vacant bar downtown with the door wide open and with liquor in it. A house down the street from me burned ten years ago and it's never been cleaned up. There's rotting food on the floor."

Frank is not suggesting that the City spend thousands of dollars it doesn't have. But he believes a different approach to the problem is in order. He said any new business considering moving to the downtown would think twice once he sees the distressed buildings in and around the district. He said our City's blight problems are much more than one person can handle, and the City needs to find ways it can enforce the laws it already has.

Several of the Commission members agreed with Frank and they thanked him for his comments. They urged him to attend the Tuesday night Blight meeting.

Following Frank's address there were no other comments from the public and no other business, so the Commission voted to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 7:50 PM.