Split decision on Coles Creek rezoning
Split decision on Coles Creek rezoning
February 25, 2021
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Houghton City Council approved resolution 2020-314, which pertains to rezoning a parcel representing a majority of the former Michigan Smelter site, but rejected 2020-315, a smaller lot where the seaplane hoped to relocate its base of operations. The first vote was 4-3, with newer council members Brian Irizarri, Jan Cole, and Joan Suits voting against. The other count was 2-3, with Councilor Mike Needham and Mayor Bob Backon abstaining due to their membership on the Planning Commission.
Public comment was split, perhaps leaning slightly in favor when correspondence was factored in. Kristine Weidner argued that the site’s former superfund status should not be seen as a hindrance to future development. Instead, she felt it would represent an intended progression for the property per the Environmental Protection Agency’s own guidance.
gneese@mininggazette.com
Veridea development proposal
Veridea, who recently backed out of plans to redevelop Houghtonâs parking decka nd waterfront area was proposing replacing the parking that currently exists between Huron Street and Isle Royale Street with a small park.
oughton City Council meeting since the Veridea Group withdrew from negotiations over the big parking deck property on Lakeshore Drive, council members and the public weighed in on the next steps.
Houghton had been in talks with Veridea since 2019, when it responded to the city’s request for qualifications for developers along with two competing firms. The city voted to enter into negotiations with Veridea, which in December unveiled a plan for a $40 million mixed-use development on the site of the deck.
gneese@mininggazette.com
HOUGHTON The Houghton City Council went back to the drawing board Wednesday night after the announcement that the Veridea Group was withdrawing its proposal for a $40 million development on the big parking deck area along Lakeshore Drive.
In a letter to the city, Veridea CEO Bob Mahaney said based on the December 16 council meeting, the city “has no defined process in place that can move the project forward at this time.” At that meeting, the council retracted a motion to move forward in defining the property and obtaining an appraisal after objections from some council members that the city needed to explore more options and seek more input from the public.
jvissers@mininggazette.com
Veridea development proposal
The development would open up Lakeshore Drive to the sky, but this has been criticized for separating downtown businesses north of Shelden Avenue from their rear customer parking.
More than 100 people gathered on Zoom for Wednesday’s Houghton City Council meeting to voice their concerns, criticisms and support for the proposal put forward by the Veridea Group on Tuesday.
The city leadership has been working with Veridea on a plan to sell and develop the area currently occupied by the large parking deck between Lakeshore Drive and Bridgeview Park.
“Okay, before we get to the opportunity for the public to address the council, I would like to read a statement,” Mayor Robert Backon said.