Planning Commission Holds Very Brief Meeting Wednesday

IRONWOOD, MI - Thursday, August 5, 2010 - There was a Regular Meeting of the Ironwood Planning Commission (IPC) held yesterday evening in the Community Development Conference Room on the second floor of the Municipal Memorial Building in Downtown Ironwood, Michigan.

Call Regular Meeting to Order - The meeting was called to order at 5:30 PM by IPC Chairman John Wyssling.

Recording of the Roll - IPC Secretary Jane Bowman reported that all members except Jackie Powers (excused) and Eric Lytwyniuk (absent) were present. In attendance were: Chairman John Wyssling; Tom Bergman; Rick Semo; Margaret Rayner; Courtland Gieb; and LeRoy Johnson. Also present at the meeting was Dennis Hewitt, Ironwood's City Assessor/Building Inspector. Covering the meeting were Margaret Levra (Daily Globe) and yours truly.

Consider approval of the July 7, 2010 Public Hearing/Regular Meeting Minutes - After a brief examination of th minutes, Margaret Rayer made a motion to approve the minutes. Courtland Gieb seconded Rayners motion, and the Commission unanimously voted to approve the minutes as presented.

Approval of the Docket - Tom Bergman made a motion to approve the docket. LeRoy Johnson seconded Bergman's motion and the Commission unanimously voted to approve the docket as presented.

Citizens wishing to address the Commission on Agenda Items (3 Minute Limit) - Ed Martinson expressed an interest in addressing the Commission regarding the "Update on the Trailer Factory Area," stating that there appears to be no problems in the area at the current time.

OLD BUSINESS

Update on Trailer Factory Area - Chairman Wyssling explained to the Commission that he meticulously examined the property on several ocassions. He said that everything appears to be under control in the area. He said there were no dusty areas. "It looks pretty good!" Wyssling reported. He went on to say that grass was now growing on the dirt pile that was previously causing the majority of the dust problems for the neighborhood.

Wyssling then asked Martinson, who lives in the neighborhood and who has experienced problems in the past, if his assessment was correct. Martinson explained that things were much better, but he asked if the piles of fill, gravel, etc. were to remain there. Wyssling said, to his knowledge, everything would remain the same, but material would be removed from the piles as needed.

LeRoy Johnson told the Commission that he examined the area. He said he noticed two piles of material. One appears to be a sand pile and he asked what kind of material made up the other pile. Wyssling explained that the other pile was ground asphalt that people ocassionally ask to be placed on their driveways as a "top dress." Wyssling said he noticed that the amount of asphalt in the second pile has been significantly reduced over the summer.

Update on Noise Ordinance - Wyssling explained that Dennis Hewitt has been in contact with City Attorney Dennis Cossi regarding the noise ordinance. He said efforts will be made to have Mr. Cossi appear before the Commission to discuss the ordinance. Wyssling said that the current ordinance described noise in terms of decibels, and that the current language didn't account for noises that don't necessarily register on decibel meters, but can be problematic. For example, low frequency noises such as bass and percussion frequencies, can be disturbing but don't affect decibel levels.

Wyssling said he lives next to US-2 and he is familiar with low frequency noises. He said they can be very irritating and he is sympathetic to residents that have been tolerating such excessive noises.

Margaret Rayner told the Commission that other communities where she's been have had ordinances that provide for low frequency sounds. She said Marshall, Michigan was one such community. She said she thought East Lansing also had a similar ordinance.

Tom Bergman recalled another community's ordinance dealing with low frequentcies that didn't register on a decibel meter. He said the ordinance referred to those noises as being "plainly audible." He reminded the Commissioners that they should all have a copy of the ordinance in their packets.

Rick Semo said it would be prudent for the Commission to dupicate what other communities have done, rather than attempt to break new ground. He suggested that existing ordinances in other communities have been tried and tested.

Wyssling said the matter would be brought back before the Commission at the next meeting, and hopefully Mr. Cossi could attend so that the matter could be fully discussed with him.

Project Updates - John Wyssling turned the floor over to Dennis Hewitt for updates. Mr. Hewitt offered the following update information:

Mr. O'Sullivan's firearms license was okayed. His landlord, Lawrence Kutz, provided a letter of approval as required. The letter is on file, with last month's Planning Commission minutes file.
Phase I of the water and sewer project has begun down by Mill Street.
The signing of documents for Phase II will be done on August 17th. Phase II will, more than likely, begin next spring. This project will encompass the Jessieville/Norrie area.
The Ironwood Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) provided a grant for the purchase of the Ironwood Theatre entrance. Negotiations are forthcoming.
According to Scott Erickson, City Manager, the Downtown Blueprint grant was approved. Final paperwork needs to be submitted. The grant would allow for the purchase of benches, street lights, and acquiring the Soo Line railroad property & building near Depot Park.
The overlay of pavement on Lake Street north of US-2 and an overlay of US-2 will be done simultaneously beginning the end of August or the beginning of September. The same contractor will do both jobs.
The Beacon Ambulace project appears to be changing. John Wyssling spoke with Mr. Kutz and it appears that the project will be expanded to allow for storage of the company's entire fleet of emergency vehicles. Wyssling told Mr. Kutz that a revised site plan would need to be approved by the IPC. The project is still moving forward, but the plan needs to be re-examined. The Commission briefly discussed the amount of water that accumulated in that area during the recent storm. It was brought up that much of the problem was a backed-up storm drain.

NEW BUSINESS

Citizens wishing to address the Commission on items not on the Agenda. (3 Minute Limit) - This reporter briefly commented on the flooding of US-2, explaining that storm drains used to be routinely cleaned by City crews. With the reduced number of personnel working for the City and with budget cuts, routine cleaning of the storm sewers is no longer being done. Wyssling said he noticed City crews cleaning the storm drains along the highway after the storm.

Other Business - Chairman Wyssling explained to the Commission that the 5-Year Plan needed to be acted upon. He said no action has been taken because the Commission has been waiting for a new Community Development Director to get on board. He asked that all Commissioners do some "homework." He would like all of the Commissioners to go over the Plan at home and to writing down ideas and suggestions. He said the Commission could create a rough draft, incorporating new ideas and suggestions. It would be a good start towards developing a new Plan. The Commissioners agreed. Tom Bergman suggested that the new Plan be available digitally. LeRoy Johnson said he has been researching the Plan and has discovered new things that need to be added. He said he would provide an outline for the other Commissioners.

Wyssling said there have been enough flags raised in the course of doing business, that show changes need to be made. He said issues that have been brought before the Commission by citizens suggest that improvements to the Plan are in order.

Jane Bowman said she hoped to have the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) available by the next meeting for review.

Adjournment - Courtland Gieb made a motion to adjourn. LeRoy Johnson seconded the motion, and the Commission unanimously voted to adjourn. The meeting was adjourned at 6:52 PM.