Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Ironwood — In action last week, the Ironwood Planning Commission approved a site plan for a pending new apartment complex on Aurora Street downtown.
The unanimous vote approved construction plans relating to Cinnaire Solutions, a Lansing-based company that aims to create a 15,000 square foot, three-story building with 45 apartment units and 1,000 square feet of first-floor commercial space.
Illustrations of the plan indicate 31 one-bedroom units and 14 two-bedroom units.
Before voting, commissioners reviewed the site plan presented on behalf of Cinnaire by representatives Liliana Gonzales and Kris Roppe, who were in virtual attendance.
Tom Bergman, Ironwood’s community development director, said the city started discussions with Cinnaire roughly a year and a half ago.
Roppe and Gonzales showed aerial views of the current site at 205 W. Aurora St., which still includes a vacant building once used as a former branch of Wells Fargo Bank.
The site is across from the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store at 216 W. Aurora St. and — on the south side — from Rovelsky and Co. at 215 W. McLeod Ave.
Cinnaire intends to demolish the vacant former bank building, along with the related parking lot and sidewalk.
Roppe then showed illustrations of all four sides of the projected facility, while noting that the main side of the proposed building would face Aurora Street. He said that the property will not be gated.
The plan shows that new parking would be installed, along with landscaping and green space that would double as snow storage in winter months.
Roppe and Gonzales added that the company also is looking at including a few charging stations for electric vehicles. A covered bike rack also is possible.
“Good luck with your project,” said commission member Mark Silver. “We would love to see it in Ironwood.”
Roppe said that he would process the approval letter for the site plan.
Bergman said, as the project moves forward, he will report back to the the planning commission as needed with any continuing issues. He said Cinnaire, which is a nonprofit housing organization, is aiming to apply for a state housing grant in December.
In other news at the Nov. 16 meeting, commissioners also:
—Voted to approve 18 additional parking spaces and two statues planned as part of a current expansion by Higher Love Cannabis Dispensary at 824 E. Cloverland Drive. One statue will honor U.S. veterans, and the other statue will feature a rendition of Sasquatch, which is regarded as a mythical Northwoods creature.
—Voted to plan a January hearing regarding fencing and snow storage.
—Discussed concerns relating to the city’s animal control ordinance. “There may be issues that are outdated in relation to state ordinances,” said Bergman, who said a dedicated meeting may be necessary to address the matter in detail.
Commission member John Spence said a public survey also would be helpful.
