iminor@dailypress.net
ESCANABA The Escanaba Planning Commission was the major topic of discussion at Thursday night’s regular city council meeting, which was held virtually.
In addition to a presentation on the commission’s actions over the past year by Planning Commission Chair James Hellerman, the council introduced two potential ordinances put forward by the commission. Both ordinances will be readdressed at the March 18 city council meeting, at which time the public will be able to comment during public hearings and the council will vote whether or not to adopt the ordinances as presented.
The first ordinance offers a compromise for a long-standing dispute between the council and the commission over the role of public hearings for developments that would be permitted by right under the city’s zoning ordinance. By law, the planning commission cannot deny a use that is permitted under the zoning ordinance, but the commission has historically held public hearings as a way