City of Hancock Planning Commission to meet Aug. 27

HANCOCK -- The potential sale of waterfront lots in the City of Hancock's Government Lot 5 near Swedetown Creek will again be a subject of discussion for the Hancock Planning Commission at their next monthly meeting. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 27, in the Council Chambers in City Hall, 399 Quincy Street.

Here is the agenda:

Call to order, Roll Call.

Minutes of July 23, 2007

Updates/Information

Update on water system improvement project.
Finlandia University new President’s Inauguration
Portage Health Bridge Walk, 9 a.m. Labor Day
New Transit Busses
Phi Kappa Tau 50th Anniversary
State Police Post Status
Recent State Billboard legislation
Traffic Flow Committee Update.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Review correspondence on Gov’t Lot 5*
2. Review survey of Gov’t Lot 5
3. Discuss and Consider recommendation to City Council on sale of lots in Gov’t Lot 5.
4. Review with Pat Coleman, Principal, U.P. Engineers and Architects, draft access management ordinance amendment and appendix.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Review ISO Class 5 Fire Insurance rating, down from Class 6.

OTHER BUSINESS

ADJOURNMENT

Planning Commission meetings are open to the public.

See Keweenaw Now articles "Hancock Council hears public opposition to proposed land sale" (July 23, 2007) , "Planning Commission hears public comment on proposed waterfront sale" (Aug. 6, 2007) and "Swedetown Creek comments requested" (Aug. 11, 2007) for background on the potential sale of Government Lot 5 lots bordering on Swedetown Creek and on Portage Lake (for residential housing). The articles discuss public comments by residents opposed to the potential sale of these lots because of their proximity to the recreational area at the mouth of Swedetown Creek, which includes a boat launch suitable for kayaks, canoes, etc., and a wetland and forested area.

*At their July 23 meeting, the Planning Commission responded to public comments on the Swedetown Creek issue by welcoming written comments and by requesting a survey of the entire Government Lot 5 to assist the commission in studying the use of the property as requested by the City Council.