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The Houghton City Council has set a public hearing date for two controversial proposed zoning changes.
Both parcels are located off the Canal Road, near the mouth of Coles Creek. Both are currently zoned residential.
One parcel is owned by Jon Rector, who operates the Isle Royale Seaplane Service. He’s asking that the property be rezoned to B-2 Community Business, with use limited to a restaurant, bar, motel, hotel and the seaplane business. The parcel has been home to a seaplane service in the past.
The owners of the second parcel nearby want their property also to be rezoned to B-2 Community Business, with limited use allowed for a restaurant, bar, motel or hotel.
A previous request by Rector to have his property rezoned was denied by the council in October of 2019. Both of the current proposals were endorsed unanimously by the city planning commission.
Concerns have been raised by a number of neighbors about the potential noise created when the seaplane takes off and lands. At a recent planning commission meeting, Rector says his plane is only allowed to fly during daylight hours, and a deed restriction on his property prevents planes from taking off before 8:30 am.
But, even some property owners who have supported the seaplane business are wary of the prospect of a bar, restaurant, or hotel in the area. Neighbor John Fodormaier says he’s okay with the light, seasonal traffic the seaplane business would generate, but as to the rest…
The public hearing for both proposed changes will be held on January 13th at 5:30, in advance of that night’s regular city council meeting.
At last night’s meeting, police chief John Donnelly reminded residents that it’s way past the deadline to remove political signs…
Campaign signs are classified as “temporary signs” under the city’s sign ordinance.
