NEGAUNEE, Mich. (WZMQ) – In January, the Negaunee City Council voted to rezone five acres of Old Town Negaunee. The rezoning changes the parcel from public use to residential, a group called Protect Old Town Negaunee was successful in putting the fate of the property onto the ballot, they seek to reverse the rezoning of the five acres and keep the parcel for public use. A no vote would allow rezoning to take effect and to allow for residential housing in the future. Voting Yes would protect the parcel from development and return it to public use. Negaunee City Manager Nate Heffron says that no plans have been made regarding the property and that if the ballot initiative fails, and the property remains zoned for residential use, the city will seek the public’s input.
“And to make that happen, we would have several public meetings to get input from the residents of the community since this is a controversial issue, but also because that’s what we promised the community when we first revealed this to everyone,” said Heffron.
Protect Old Town Negaunee co-founder Jeff Plummer believes there are other locations more suitable for residential expansion.
“There’s too many what ifs about developing it. Right now people know what they’re getting right now. They’re getting incredible green space that they can use on a daily basis and enjoy on a daily basis. And I can’t imagine wanting to change that.” Said Plummer. “That’s me personally, and then I hope people just decide for themselves what they think is best for the community and vote accordingly.”
Of the five acres that have been rezoned. Only three acres would be available for private development, with the remaining two acres to be held in a public trust controlled by the city.
“And then we would sit down with the public again, have more meetings to find out what you have, what do you want to happen here?” Said Heffron.
The future of the five acres in question will now be in the hands of the voters. They go to the polls on August 6.
