Commissioners approve variance for Tractor Supply

By RALPH ANSAMI

ransami@yourdailyglobe.com

Ironwood — A variance that will allow Tractor Supply to set up outdoor displays in the Ironwood Commons was approved by the city commission on Monday.

Kmart is moving out of its store in the plaza and Tractor Supply has already moved goods into the building.

Ironwood Community Development Director Michael Brown said while city zoning doesn’t permit displays outside of stores, city staff members recommend an exception be made.

Brown said in conversations with the potential new business owners, they stressed they needed the outdoor display areas that are common across the country.

Brown said there is ample parking space in the Kmart lot to accommodate the outdoor displays.

Display areas of 74 by 68 feet and 20 by 150 feet were specified in the variance request.

There was no public comment on the issue at the 5:25 p.m. public hearing.

Following the hearing, the commission approved the variance request 5-0.

In other business Monday, city commissioners agreed to apply for the fourth phase of a city infrastructure improvement project.

The city will apply to the U.S. Department of Agriculture-Rural Development for funding. City Manager Scott Erickson said the project area is south of U.S. 2, east of Lake Street and west of Luxmore, where there are sewer inflow problems.

Like previous projects, not only will there be sewer and water upgrades, but streets will be resurfaced.

Rural Development will come back to the city with a funding package that may include grant money, Erickson said.

Mayor Annette Burchell said in recent meetings with federal officials, it was beneficial that Ironwood officials could say they had a “ready-to-go project.”

Coleman Engineering, of Ironwood, was approved for the engineering for the project and city attorney Tim Dean will handle the legal services.

The commission also agreed to seek bids on local street paving projects for the summer that could total around $800,000.

Erickson said with asphalt prices most likely to be reduced because of low oil and gas prices, the city will seek bids for local street blacktopping, crack sealing and pavement striping, rather than adding on to the 2015 project.

He said the city has about $800,000 available in bond money and “one-time” street funding.

Commissioner Jim Mildren said it is important the city continue to address street paving issues following the many strides that have been made in the past few years.

“The city is moving forward by leaps and bounds,” Mildren said.