IRON MOUNTAIN — Zoning adjustments for a neighborhood business district in Iron Mountain are underway as the city moves to bring existing homes into better compliance.

The changes drafted by the Iron Mountain Planning Commission are for an area within the border of River Avenue, West H Street, Cedar Avenue and West D Street.

The current B-2 zoning doesn’t allow for first-floor residential uses, so all homes within the area are considered legal non-conforming, City Manager Jordan Stanchina explained. The commission intends to seek a change to B-1 after the city council Monday approved certain B-1 amendments.

Those B-1 amendments allow, by special use permit, medical offices, construction services housed indoors and multiply-family residences. Also, fitness centers would be allowed by right.

A hearing before Monday’s action drew no public feedback.

The planned change to B-1 zoning would accommodate existing and planned businesses while also easing deed and insurance complications for homeowners, Stanchina said. B-1 allows first-floor residential.

In other action, the council:

— Approved two right-of-way abandonment requests. The first, requested by Anthony Flaminio, is for a portion of Michigan Avenue 120 feet north of East D Street and 60 feet wide. The second, requested by Michael and Natalie Trevarthen, is for an alley north of their home at 802 Fairbanks St., measuring 184 feet long by 20 feet wide. An access easement for We Energies power lines will be part of the Trevarthen agreement.

— Will seek bids for a new pickup truck for public works, replacing a 1997 Chevrolet that is in disrepair.

— Learned that the cost for the next year’s liability coverage through Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority is $92,596, an increase of $4,828, or 5%. A net asset distribution of $26,664 was returned to the city and will be placed in a self-insurance retention fund that can be used to pay future claims, Stanchina said.

The city is in the second year of a two-year contract with MMRMA.

— Waived City Park pavilion rental fees for a veterans picnic from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 27, hosted by the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center, and a special needs youth picnic Monday, Sept. 13, hosted by the Golden K Club. A $75 security deposit is required for each.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.