Planning Commission Okays Clock Repair Shop on Lake

IRONWOOD, MI - Tuesday, July 07, 2009 - The Ironwood Planning Commission held their regular meeting last Wednesday following a 5:30 PM Public Hearing to receive comment on a rezoning request at 803 North Lake Street, Ironwood, Michigan. Randall and Deborah Stoltenberg had made the request to rezone the house just south of Theatre North from R-1 Residential to C-1 Neighborhood Commercial.

For several years the Stoltenbergs operated a clock and watch repair shop on Aurora Street in Downtown Ironwood. On Wednesday, July 1, 2009, their lease ran out and the couple decided to relocate their business on North Lake Street. In the past, several businesses were located on North Lake Street including: Gust's Store (Later Lopez and then Kostopolus T.V. Repair); Range Photo; and Crick's Auto Body.

Several of the IPC Commissioners asked questions of Stoltenberg to determine if it was proper to rezone the property. The concerns discussed included:

Adequate Parking - Stoltenberg explained that there is on-street parking on both sides of North Lake Street and that the house has a double driveway.
Traffic Impact - According to Stoltenberg traffic impact would be negligible.
Woodworking Operations - Stoltenberg explained that custom-built clocks are a very small part of his operation, and that very little woodworking would take place.
Painting or Staining Operations - Stoltenberg said very little staining and virtually no painting will be done. He explained that very small quantities of staining materials are kept on hand and he was willing to comply with all regulations to insure safety.
Hours of Operation - Stoltenberg said that his hours of operation are generally Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and mostly by appointment.
Residential Occupancy - The building will not be living quarters, only a business operation.
Alley Vacation - Stoltenberg explained that two alleys run through the property one north to south and one east to west. He told the IPC that both alleys were previously vacated.

IPC Commissioner Deb Bowles became ill during the Public Hearing. She apologized to the Commission and asked if a quorum still existed if she were to be excused. Chairman John Wyssling told Bowles that there would still be a quorum. Bob Burchell walked Bowles to her car to make sure she would be alright.

John Wyssling then opened the meeting for public comment. Stoltenberg explained that he personally canvassed the neighborhood and he didn't receive a single objection to his clock shop locating along Lake Street. Community Development Director Dan Petersen said he had not received any written objections to the plan. No neighbors objected to the rezoning, however, they expressed concerns that the entire area could be rezoned as a commercial district and they were afraid that any type of business could locate at the Lake Street address should Stoltenberg retire or go out of business.

Dan Petersen handed out information that showed C-1 business limitations and outlined what kinds of business could be located there and what could not. Neighbors welcomed the project after discovering that there were limitations on they types of businesses allowed if the property was rezoned C-1.

This reporter asked Stoltenberg if he had tried to relocate elsewhere downtown. Stoltenberg said his realtor searched for over a year, but there was nothing affordable and suitable. He explained that the rent in his building was going to be raised considerably and that the building was in bad shape.

John Wyssling pointed out that the old Kinnunnen (Modern Portrait Studio) building was available, suitable and reasonably priced. Stoltenberg said he was unaware of that fact.

I asked if the City Staff offered Stoltenberg any incentives to stay in the downtown, and Petersen said he had. According to Stoltenberg, his business doesn't really benefit from downtown food traffic as his focus is antique clock restoration. He explained that the Downtown wasn't really a good fit for his business.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Since Eva Smith-Furgason has been on the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority (DIDA) she has been begging the City to establish and maintain a building inventory, showing what buildings are for sale and for rent; who owns the buildings; how much the sale price or rent would be; total square footage of the buildings; etc. If such a list were available, perhaps many businesses opting to leave the downtown might find a better location within the downtown. The list would also be a good sales tool to show propspective businesses what locations are available to them. The recently completed Blueprints for Downtowns Plan for Downtown Ironwood also suggests that a downtown inventory be created.

LeRoy Johnson made a motion to recommend to the City Commission that the house on 803 North Lake Street be rezoned from R-1 to C-1. Eric Lytwyniuk seconded Johnson's motion. The IPC unanimously approved the motion.

The public hearing was adjourned.

Following the public hearing, IPC Chairman John Wyssling called the regular meeting of the IPC to order. IPC Secretary Jane Bowman recorded the roll. Present at the meeting were: Rayer, Wyssling, Davey, Lytwyniuk, Burchell and Johnson. Powers and Bowles were excused. Community Development Director Dan Petersen and IPC Secretary Jane Bowman were also present. Ralph Ansami from the Globe and yours truly were there to represent the media.

Following recording of the roll, the Commission approved the previous meeting's minutes and the docket.

(MORE REPORT TO FOLLOW)