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Negaunee council to hold public hearings, consider ordinances

NEGAUNEE — The Negaunee Downtown Development Authority tax-increment financing district will be a central focus of tonight’s meeting of the Negaunee City Council.

The meeting, which will be held at 7 p.m. at the Negaunee Senior Center, will include a public hearing on a proposed expansion of the TiF district into an area known as Cambria Location, as well as the first reading of an ordinance to rezone the large tract of land generally consisting of “properties east of the downtown (Tobin Street) extending to the west city jurisdictional line, properties north of the rail line and U.S. 41 adjacent to the Teal Lake (Avenue) intersection,” from residential to business.

The zoning changes, which were recommended unanimously by the Negaunee Planning Commission, are meant to further economic development, according to city officials.

Any development of the property in the proposed expanded district, and the anticipated increase in taxable value, would go into the DDA budget for district improvements, including infrastructure, and may eventually relieve some of the tax burden on residents, City Manager Nate Heffron said during the planning commission meeting in September.

“There are some good things that could occur with this if the property was made easier for someone to develop. In its current state, it will not attract developers,”Heffron said.

The council will also hold a public hearing on the city’s 2020 budget.

Heffron’s employment contract will also be considered by the council as well as appointments to county boards, the first reading of a public nuisance ordinance and a tree ordinance.

Councilors will enter closed session at the end of the meeting to discuss pending litigation.

Lisa Bowers can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 242.

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