Hancock and Houghton City Councils both meet tonight

City hall will be busy on both sides of the portage Wednesday. The City of Hancock is having a special meeting of its council to resolve lingering issues related to the fee schedule for its new rental property inspection program. The ordinance is set to take effect on February 1st, but there are some sticking points remaining. The council seemed happy with the fee amounts during discussion last week. The trouble lies in creating an equitable inspection cycle. The goal is to have an examination of each rental property or individual multifamily unit every three years. There is concern among members that residences who are inspected this year or next will be on the hook for more than properties who don’t start until 2023.

The Houghton City Council has several items on its agenda. It is looking to set a date for a public hearing on potential development near Cole Creek. Before that can begin, the current property owner is asking for rezoning the parcel to allow for residential or commercial uses. That motion passed at last night’s Houghton Planning Commission meeting.