The subject properties are currently zoned as Municipal. The intent of the Municipal district is to permit flexible development and approval standards for properties used by the City of Marquette. Following the proposal of an affordable housing project in November of 2021 and the resulting City Commission discussion, as well as feedback from the surrounding neighborhood, the City Commission authorized an application to rezone the property as Conservation/Recreation (CR). The intent of the CR district is to preserve the character of land in the city with outstanding scenic and/or recreational qualities by restricting development not suited to this goal; to prevent development of land which has great ecological value or where there are natural hazards to development; and to preserve open areas for forestry, agriculture and recreation. Rezoning the land to CR would put it into the same category as most of the City-owned waterfront (including the recently acquired WE beach), Presque Isle Park, and most of the other recreational areas within the City. Rezoning the property to Conservation-Recreation would not change the City's ownership of the property and would not commit the City to any specific uses of the property. It would however remove a large portion of property, already served by utilities, from City surplus land that is eligible for development for housing.
On April 12, 2022, the Planning Commission conducted a Public Hearing for the proposed rezoning of several City-owned properties in the McClellan Avenue corridor between Fair Avenue and Wright Street from a Municipal zoning district to a Conservation-Recreation zoning district. This rezoning will require a zoning map amendment. The properties are:
1433 Wright St.(PIN: 0511880), 1435 Wright St. (PIN: 0511840), 1621 Center St. (PIN: 0512390), 1505 W. Fair Ave. (PIN: 0970041), 1398 West Ave. (PIN: 0970031), 1396 West Ave. (PIN: 0970021), 1600 W Fair Ave. (PIN: 0512431) and McClellan Ave PIN: 0512453 and 0512454
After the presentation of the Staff File Review and Analysis, applicant testimony, and a Public Hearing, the Planning Commission made the following motion:
It was moved by M. Larson, seconded by M. Dunn and carried 5-3 that after conducting a public hearing and review of the application and Staff Report for 01-REZ-04-22, the Planning Commission finds that the proposed rezoning is consistent with the Community Master Plan and meets the requirements of the Land Development Code Section 54.1405 and hereby recommends that the City Commission approve 01-REZ-04-22 as presented.
Yes: W. Premeau, Vice-Chair M. Larson, N. Williams, M. Dunn, N. Frischkorn
No: A. Andres, S. Mittlefehldt, J. Cardillo
The City Commission scheduled this Public Hearing at the April 25, 2022 regular meeting.