IRON MOUNTAIN — A proposed zoning change in Iron Mountain would require new business construction to include a facade that faces the street.

The rule is meant to improve the appearance of commercial areas and discourage “blank wall” storefronts along a business corridor.

“It doesn’t apply to anything already constructed,” City Manager Jordan Stanchina said during a council discussion Monday. Also, the change does not prevent a business from having a secondary customer entrance on any other side they choose, he said.

The amendment was proposed by the city’s Planning Commission after reviewing recommendations in the Redevelopment Ready Community certification process that began in 2019. RRC is a Michigan Economic Development Commission program designed to help attract investment. There are only a few items remaining for the city to become certified, Stanchina noted.

The proposed architectural standard requires business buildings to “include a primary street-level facade that faces the street from which the building’s address is assigned.” The facade must include a window and door area of 30% to 90%.

A public hearing has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 17.

In other action, the council:

— Set a public hearing for 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 3, on an amendment to the city’s sign ordinance to accommodate a larger “monument sign” than currently allowed for the NEW Dermatology clinic under construction on the 1600 block of South Stephenson Avenue. The clinic, which has 330 feet of frontage, applied for a permit for a sign that exceeded the 30 square feet allowed. The Planning Commission has recommended allowing business district signs less than 9 feet in height to occupy up to 75 square feet, based on the amount of frontage and other requirements.

— Agreed to remove “No Parking During School Hours” signs in the 300 block of West Hughitt Street in front of the former Central School building that houses The Imagination Factory Children’s Museum.

— Discussed wind damage to the Jeff DeRidder Pavilion that the Iron Mountain-Kingsford Rotary Club donated and built on city property on Millie Hill on 2019. A storm Thursday caused the supports to collapse, though the roof remains intact. City insurance coverage for the structure will be reviewed.

— Will participate in a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services program that helps eligible households pay their utility bills. There is no cost to the city, but an expansion of the city’s grace period before shutoff from the current 60 days to 90 days was required.

— Reported 31 deer, including one buck, culled through the city’s managed archery hunt.

— Noted that City Hall will be closed Friday in observance of Christmas and Friday, Dec. 31, for New Year’s. Garbage collections over the next two weeks will occur on the regularly scheduled days.

Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772 ext. 226 or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.