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The Hancock City Council is contemplating asking the City of Houghton to slow down on potential development near Coles Creek, the former site of the Michigan Smelter. It is a former superfund site and has documented issues with mercury, lead, and other toxins.
The land has been privately owned for decades, and the owners are seeking to make it more attractive to potential developers. Plans for single family residences have fallen through in the past, and the zoning change that was green lit by the Houghton Planning Commission last week would allow for commercial development. Keweenaw Report has been told by members of that board that there is no agreement in place at the moment. The change may have no effect as multifamily, single family, and townhome projects are all still on the table. Or it may remain unused as it has for decades. The former administrative building is now a residence, otherwise no structure remains from the smelter days.
Hancock councilmembers weighed the possibility of a resolution on development at Coles Creek. They expressed two main concerns: The first is what effect environmental damage could have on the investment Hancock has made in its public beach and marina across the canal. Secondly, Mayor Pro Tem Will Lytle said his research on noise from propeller planes transporting people to Isle Royale, an enterprise rumored to be a possibility at the site, suggests it could be an issue.
Lytle said he was sure that Hancock could not prevent Houghton from taking any particular course of action. However, he believes it might be beneficial for all to slow the process down. The council said it planned to do more research before the next meeting. Hancock City Council is scheduled to convene on February 17th. Houghton City Council has scheduled a public hearing on the Coles Creek site for the 24th.
