Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
SMILING AFTER a short meeting of the Bessemer Planning Commission on Tuesday evening is chair Dave Osier, with commission member George Beninghaus to his right.
By P.J. GLISSON
Bessemer - Members of the Bessemer Planning Commission voted Tuesday evening to approve a marketing strategy and an ordinance relating to storage after related public hearings drew no audience.
The marketing strategy describes Bessemer as "a small, affordable town centered in the outdoors with miles of motorized and non-motorized trails and a great place to raise a family with phenomenal schools."
The plan also suggests promoting the town as a trail and recreation area and a community for telecommuting, retirement and business.
In addition, the initiative advises an interactive promotional push in relation to striving to attract businesses that will appeal to retirees, telemarketers and trail users.
In relation to trails, the plan suggests consistent branding in relation to "wayfinding" - for instance, by using uniform logos or other graphics within social media online or on trail markers and other signage in town.
The plan also wishes to market available land within the city and notes that, at this time, the downtown and the industrial area each have three lots open.
In relation to specific outreach, the plan notes a desire for "original restaurants, art galleries and outdoor recreation shops."
Commission member Terry Kryshak said the Be Bessemer committee already has worked to refine the plan, but he added, "This is a living document, so over time we'll update it as needed."
Container ordinance
The commission also passed Ordinance No. 371 in relation to the use of shipping containers for storage and housing.
The ordinance defines such a container as "a large standardized, durable, closed steel box, designed and built for intermodal freight transport."
The definition describes "standard sizes" as 8 feet in width, and either 20 or 40 feet in length, with heights of either 8 feet and 6 inches or 9 feet and 6 inches.
The ordinance notes that if a shipping container is of a nonstandard size, it must be approved by the city.
If a shipping container is intended for use as housing, the ordinance states that it must meet all state building code requirements.
Containers cannot be located on any utility, right of way or easement, nor anywhere that they may "impede ingress, egress, or emergency access."
The ordinance also specifies other conditions for placement and bases.
The planning commission will meet next on June 4, at 6 p.m. in the city council room of the Bessemer City Hall.
