IRON MOUNTAIN — A Menominee-based contractor plans to build an office and shop on a 1.37-acre site on Cedar Avenue north of Iron Mountain Cemetery Park.

Valley Mechanical, a heating, ventilation and air conditioning business, has been servicing the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center for 15 years and intends to continue, according to owner David Dunn.

The proposed site is near the VA, but a zoning change is needed. The triangular parcel at 1325 Cedar Ave. is zoned B-2 General Business and the requested change is to I-1Light Industrial. Valley Mechanical plans to develop the site for equipment and supply storage while also adding an office, shop area and parking lot, the city council learned Monday.

In an application to the Iron Mountain Planning Commission, Dunn said some timber will be removed but trees along the right-of-way of Cedar Avenue and Carollo Street will be retained and additional trees will be planted to address aesthetics. Plans also include a 6-foot-high security fence.

The planning commission, which had a hearing on the zoning request July 8, has recommended approval. The city council Monday scheduled its public hearing for 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 5.

In other action, the council —

— Approved a notice of intent for an upcoming water line replacement project funded through the Michigan’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. The resolution authorizes up $6 million in bonds that will be sold to the Michigan Finance Authority through the DWSRF loan program. The aid includes $2.24 million in principal forgiveness on the planned $4.57 million project. The notice is for a higher amount in case the state has additional funds the city could obtain, City Manager Jordan Stanchina said. Ultra Construction Services of Marquette was awarded a $3.97 million contract July 1 to replace about 375 lead service lines over the next two years.

— Agreed to prepare a resolution condemning racism in recognition of the 100th anniversary on Aug. 25 of a reported cross burning and Ku Klux Klan induction ceremony on Millie Hill in Iron Mountain. A local group, Christians for Racial Understanding, will conduct a service of healing on that day and will also plant a tree and place a plaque near the Samuel Bassett Viewing Platform on Millie Hill. “To build a community, we need a common recognition of our past,” said Ed Laarman, event coordinator.

— Approved increases in water tap fees, or the charges for installing a new connection. For a 1-inch service, the new fee is $1,300, up from $595; for a 1.5-inch service, the new fee is $1,500, up from $780; and for a 4- to 8-inch service, the new fee is $1,800, up from $895. As in the past, there is an accompanying water meter fee, which is the market rate plus 10% overhead. The fees were adjusted to better reflect the cost of materials, Stanchina said.

— Added a new cemetery fee for winter burials, reflecting the cost of the propane used to thaw the ground. The charge is the same for residents and non-residents — $150 for a full burial and $75 for cremation.

— Learned that a Redevelopment Ready Community Essential designation from the Michigan Economic Development Corp. should be earned within the next three months. The voluntary program helps build a foundation of planning, zoning and economic development best practices.

— Reappointed Julie Olson and Alex Carey to three-year terms on the Iron Mountain Board of Review and reappointed Jonathan Ringel and Megan Blomquist to three-year terms on the Iron Mountain Planning Commission.

— Learned Kenzie Williamsen is resigning as the Downtown Development Authority’s event coordinator, effective in mid-August. The position is posted on the DDA’s website.

— Approved a request from Dickinson-Iron Communities That Care to use the downtown stage and close the parking lot for a suicide awareness event from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 22. Stanchina noted the event is the day after the Iron Mountain Road & Trail Half Marathon so the parking lot will already be closed and can remain that way another day.

— Approved a special use permit for Cynthia Schoeppey, 413 E. Stanton St., to sell supplements out of her home.

— Finalized the purchase of two parcels near Mud Lake that are in the tax foreclosure process at a total minimum bid price of $807, which is down from the initial estimate of $2,200. The parcels are normally underwater and are part of the city’s Mud Lake stormwater retention basin.

— Renewed an annual contract with PJ Kortens and Co. of Appleton, Wis., for telemetry services for water and sewer systems. The quarterly fee will be $1,700, up from the current $1,590.

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