Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By TOM STANKARD
Bessemer — Area residents and the Bessemer City Council Monday evening heard Northwoods Paving Company announce they are seeking permission to put an asphalt mixing plant on Tamarack Avenue.
In front of large audience, Eric Brye, of Northwoods Paving Company in Ashland, Wis., said the company recently applied for a special use permit to operate an asphalt mixing plant at Pat Steiger’s old sawmill on Tamarack Avenue, which is located within an M-1 district. Brye said the plant will be located 1,415 feet from neighboring properties. He said the plant will be temporary, with plans to operate for only 2-6 weeks.
Roy Gotham, retired circuit court judge, said in a letter Bessemer’s zoning ordinance describes the area designated M-1 to be a “light industrial” area, which he said doesn’t permit asphalt plants.
However, he said asphalt plants are permitted in a M-2 area, which is described as a heavy industrial area.
Several residents expressed concerns about potential noise, potential odor and the environmental impact an asphalt plant may have on the city of Bessemer.
In response, Tara Wetzel, also of Northwoods Paving Company, said the company applies a biodegradable chemical into the mix which neutralizes the odor. On the site, she said there are several trees acting as sound barriers to help prevent noise coming from the plant. She said the sources of noise will be the plant itself and a generator. Wetzel said the site would emit about 50 decibels, comparable to the sounds heard on a city street.
John Frello, council member, said he has heard several positive comments about Northwoods Paving Company and he believes they will not negatively impact residents’ everyday lives.
With that, the council voted to have City Attorney Michael Korpela review the company’s application for a special use permit.
Moving forward on the agenda, the council approved to purchase a street sweeper. At an April 18 meeting, the council approved of renting a street sweeper for one month for $7,500. Neil Nelson, of the Bessemer Department of Public Works, said the sweeper has been running “great” and the council should look into purchasing one.
After some debate, the council agreed to purchase the rented street sweeper for $109,000, on top of the the fee to rent the vehicle. To help with funding, the council agreed for Nelson to sell the excavator the city purchased earlier for $35,000.
In other action, the council:
—Approved to reschedule Tuesday’s special city council meeting to 5 p.m.
