The property that is now City Sales on Iron Mountain's north side could become the future site of a Circle K convenience store and gas station. (Screenshot from Google maps)

IRON MOUNTAIN — Plans for a Circle K convenience store and gas station on North Lake Antoine Road at the current site of City Sales will be reviewed by city, county and state officials as some neighboring residents raise objections.

Iron Mountain City Manager Jordan Stanchina said the property Circle K plans to acquire is zoned Business-2, which is appropriate for the development. It “cannot be denied as long as all site development standards for the B-2 zoning district are satisfied,” he stated in a memo to the city council.

On Monday, the council approved a request from property owners William Neuens and James LaFave to vacate a public alley right-of-way that runs through a portion of the near 4-acre site eyed for the Circle K. The existence of the platted alley was revealed during title work conducted during the acquisition process.

The parcels are at 105 N. Lake Antoine Road and 800-826 Spring St., near the intersection of north U.S. 2.

“Concerning the vacation request, the alley is landlocked within private property, and there is no public access,” Stanchina advised the council. “Therefore, this alley should not be maintained as a right-of-way because it cannot be utilized by the public.”

The council found no reason to deny the request but did hear objections to the proposed development from several residents on Spring Street and Grand Boulevard.

Among their concerns is the potential proximity of underground storage tanks to drinking water wells, which Stanchina said will be addressed through a permitting process overseen by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Dickinson-Iron District Health Department.

The required distance in this case is 300 feet, he said.

Spring Street residents Glen and Ramona Siegler have also cited the site’s proximity to Lake Antoine as well as traffic and safety concerns with increased congestion, accompanied by noise and light pollution affecting their quality of life.

Approval of the development at the city level will take place at the administrative level since the proposed use is consistent with B-2 zoning, Stanchina said. To date, only a preliminary site plan has been submitted.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-3500, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.