Planning Commission to Meet Tomorrow Evening

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - A Regular Monthly Meeting of the Ironwood Planning Commission, is scheduled for Wednesday, October 1, 2008, (tomorrow evening) beginning at 5:30 PM, in the Community Development Conference Room on the second Floor of Municipal Memorial Building, Ironwood, Michigan.

Issues to be discussed at tomorrow night's meeting include:

  • Outdoor Furnace Ordinance - Discuss and consider action on Outdoor Furnace Ordinance. (Bob Swartz, Saxon, WI will be available to discuss the ordinance with the Commission. Mr. Swartz sells outdoor wood furnaces).
  • City-Owned Ayer Street Property - Discuss and consider action on City-owned property along Ayer Street; recommendation from Parks and Recreation Committee.
  • Project Updates - Community Development Director Dan Petersen is expected to update the Planning Commission on projects throughout the City.
  • Comprehensive Plan Update - The Planning Commission will be updated on the ongoing Comprehensive Plan.
  • Special Meeting - Consider setting a Special Meeting to discuss and consider:
    •  Snowmobiles on City Streets - Action on allowing snowmobiles to access designated trails and related retail establishments using City Streets.
    • Fences & the Zoning Ordinance - The Planning Commission will consider changes to the "fence language" in the Zoning Ordinance.

In addition, Roy Ahonen, representing the Concerned Citizens of Ironwood, is expected to address the Commission regarding the the proposed Towering Pines Apartment Complex. The 2% PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement between the Towering Pines Complex developer, Hovey Companies of DeWitt, Michigan and the City of Ironwood expired in January. In order for the project to continue, a new PILOT Ordinance needs to be passed. According to the now-expired PILOT agreement, the City of Ironwood would accept 2% of the Towering Pines adjusted gross income -- total rents minus the cost of utilities --  instead of paying traditional property taxes. Current local landlords throughout the City,  pay between 20 and 30 percent of their rental income in taxes, without any adjustment for the cost of utilities.

As always the public is welcome and urged to attend.