Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Bessemer — Members of the Bessemer Planning Commission voted on Tuesday evening to approve a zoning amendment that will allow self-storage units with permission in C-2 (Corridor Mixed Use) and Country Estates zones.
The action now stands as a recommendation to the City Council.
The city had sought advice on the matter from Patrick Coleman, a principal with North of 45 in Hancock.
After studying the details, Coleman reported in a May 16 memo, “My interpretation was that the property is not zoned correctly for the proposed use, and suggested that the alternative to rezoning the parcel is to amend the zoning ordinance text to allow self-storage as a permitted use with conditions.”
The action resulted from a request from John Medved, who wishes to place self-storage units on a U.S. 2 site. Coleman emphasized that the zoning ordinance requires a major site plan review of that land in order to meet the conditions.
Among a list of conditions are the banning of any storage deemed hazardous and the banning of commercial distribution from such units. Conditions also include prescribed lighting and driving space between buildings.
The vote was unanimous with Commissioner Dominic Fabbri absent.
In other news, commissioners also discussed the status of the city’s master plan in relation to a pending renewal of the city’s Redevelopment Ready City status with the state.
Commissioner Terry Kryshak mentioned the city program in which vacant city properties are available for sale for $1 plus fees for buyers agreeing to meet construction terms.
“I think we completed it, but we need to make sure we updated,” said Kryshak in relation to a list of vacant properties.
Commissioners also discussed short-term rentals but concluded there is no way to address them at this time.
In referring to former City Manager Charley Loper, Kryshak said, “Charly had wanted to do an ordinance on registering short-term rentals, and we did not proceed with that.”
Kryshak explained that the city already has an ordinance requiring any rental to register with the city.
Regarding a separation of short-term rental concerns, he said, “We don’t get anything out of it other than extra work.”
He said that monitoring such rentals would be difficult and that the state does not allow the city to tax short-term rentals. Hence, he said, “It’s going to cost the city rather than benefit.”
Commissioners also questioned whether any action is needed on flipping houses.
Commission Chairman George Beninghaus said that, in his opinion, when anyone fixes up a house and sells it, “that benefits us” because “that’s one more house we have.”
It was the first meeting for new member Richard Babbitt, who was just appointed to the commission by the City Council on May 8.
Commissioners decided to cancel their July meeting since the regular meeting sequence of the first Tuesday of the month falls on July 4. City Manager Jennifer Adams said that nothing was on the agenda yet anyway and suggested that, if any action needs to be taken, a meeting could be scheduled on another date.
Hence, the commission’s next regular meeting will be on Aug. 1 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers of the Bessemer City Hall.