Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Northwoods Paving Company denied asphalt plant permit

By TOM STANKARD

[email protected]

Bessemer — With guidance by city attorney Michael Korpela, the Bessemer City Council Monday evening denied Northwoods Paving Company’s special use permit request to put an asphalt mixing plant on Tamarack Avenue.

At a May 3 meeting, Eric Brye, of NPC, in Ashland, Wis., said the company applied for a special use permit to operate an asphalt mixing plant at Pat Steiger’s old sawmill plant, which is located within an M-1 district. He said the plant would also have been temporary, with plans to only operate for two-to-six weeks.

In a letter, Roy Gotham, retired circuit court judge, said Bessemer’s zoning ordinance describes the area designated M-1 to be a “light industrial area,” which he said doesn’t permit asphalt plants.

However, he said asphalt plants are permitted in a M-2 area, which is described to be a “heavy industrial area.”

After reviewing the company’s request, Korpela said in a letter to the council that he agrees with Gotham’s opinion, saying the permit “must be denied.”

With that, the council unanimously voted to deny Northwoods Paving Company their request.

In response, Pat Steiger asked the council what he can do to get the location in an M-2 area.

“That business is not going to harm the community,” he said. “I want to do this for the good of the community.”

Down the road, the council recommended Steiger to discuss the matter with the Bessemer Planning Commission.

Also on the agenda, the council provided an update on the process of hiring a new city manager. Mayor Kathy Whitburn said there were 28 applicants and the council is continuing to narrow the list. On May 13, the council performed video conference interviews. She said some applicants have declined the offer.

During the interview process, Al Gaiss, council member, said the council “came together to find a city manager that will want to live here.”

Robert Coleman, fellow council member, said he agrees, acknowledging that the council has disagreed on matters before, but have grown as a council during this time.

Whitburn said one applicant scheduled an interview on Friday at 5 p.m., and the public is invited to attend.

The council adopted the 2016-17 budget. The council said the budget is tight. According to information provided at the meeting, the total amount appropriated is $3,266,458.

In other action, the council:

—Heard an annual report from Jim Whittinghill, from Eagle Waste and Recycling. He said paper, cardboard, aluminum, glass and plastics goes through their facility in Eagle River, Wis., and is processed there. He said he appreciates doing business in Bessemer.

“There is no company on the planet that enjoys working with Bessemer residents more than we do,” he said. “Lots and lots of things are recyclable.”

 
 
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