(Continued from page one)

By JIM ANDERSON

News Editor

KINGSFORD – A developer’s request for a zoning variance at Summit View Apartment Homes was denied Monday by Kingsford City Council after neighbors spoke against it.

Kevin Kleinert of ASE Properties approached the city council last month, announcing plans for a new 16-unit building at 420 Grant St.

To accommodate two-car garages, ASE sought to reduce the rear (southwest) property setback from the required 35 feet to 25 feet.

After conducting a public hearing, and hearing complaints, the council voted unanimously to deny the request.

The Summit View complex, which consists of two buildings constructed in 2009, is adjacent to the River Pointe Subdivision. Although the council rejected the variance for a third building, there is nothing to prevent ASE from adding one that complies with current zoning, said City Attorney Bruce Brouillette.

The council heard nearly an hour of protest on the variance, mainly from residents who are unhappy with traffic from Summit View or have grievances against Kleinert.

The most pointed remark came from heating and air conditioning contractor Duane Blagec, who said he is owed more than $25,000 for work done on another of Kleinert’s developments. Blagec said he’s been told by Kleinert that he has no money.

“Apparently he has some money,” Blagec said.

Kleinert, of Valders, Wis., addressed the council as well, saying his financial troubles began after the

housing market collapse in 2008-09. He added that he is just a part owner of projects that have had issues.

The Summit View apartments have been fully occupied for three years, he said, and there is a waiting list for units that would rent for $800 to $900 a month.

“If the city council doesn’t want me to develop in Kingsford, I won’t,” he said.

The council’s decision to deny the variance drew applause.

Among the residents objecting to the request were Mary Ellen Kent, who said the existing apartments need better maintenance; Larry Seratti, who questioned the occupancy rate and said the problems with local contractors can’t be ignored; Lorraine Seratti, who said traffic from an additional building would put children at risk; Doug Hicks, who said the city erred in 2008 when it agreed to sell seven acres of city property to Kleinert for the multi-unit apartment site; Phillip Peterson, who said the apartments are a traffic hazard and the city should prevent an additional unit; and Pat Beauchamp, who said debris has gone neglected from Kleinert-related work. Chris Hanley, Jeannine Richtig and Rick Bubloni were among others who went on record against the proposed project.

Council member Michael Flaminio, who supported the 2008 city property sale, said the neighbors who protested it are being proven right. “I was wrong,” he said.

City Manager Tony Edlebeck noted that Kleinert is up to date on any payments owed to the city itself.

In other action Monday, the council:

– Adopted the 2104-15 fiscal year budget, as proposed. There were no comments during a public hearing. Under the budget, Kingsford’s property tax rate for city government will rise by 0.356 mills to 22.352 mills – an increase of 1.6 percent.

– Heard Edlebeck report that JMT Development LLC has made a final payment to the city for 18.13 acres of property acquired in 2008 for the Riverdale residential development. The purchase cost was $125,000 payable over five years, and a final payment of $34,035 was overdue. The recent sale of two lots in the development (located along the Menominee River upstream from the River Pointe condominiums) made it possible for JMT to make the final payment, plus interest, Edlebeck said.

– Heard resident Lola Johnson question the city’s commitment to sidewalk maintenance, prompting some verbal sparring between Mayor Dennis Baldinelli and council member Brian Smeester. Baldinelli said the city does the best it can and any problems are isolated. Smeester said the city’s infrastructure is suffering because “certain individuals with a certain agenda” are opposed to efforts to consolidate services with Iron Mountain.

– Authorized Boy Scout Michael Anderson of Troop 510 to conduct an Eagle Scout project in Kingsford parks. Anderson plans to provide 20 steel-banded wooden sleeves for trash receptacles, including about 15 at Cowboy Lake.

– Agreed to pursue grant funding for a 2016 paving project on Pyle Drive from Westwood Avenue to Evergreen Court (near Woodland Elementary School).