NEGAUNEE, Mich, (WZMQ) – At tonight’s meeting the Negaunee City Council voted four to two in favor of rezoning five acres of ‘Old Town’ adjacent to snow street from public use to residential housing.
The meeting was packed with residents showing support and opposition to the move.
Some were concerned that rezoning would damage Negaunee’s recreational opportunities, while others believed it was a necessary step to promote growth and new development.
“It’s literally a playground for our community,” said one Negaunee resident. “Eliminating any portion of it would be detrimental.”
Another Negaunee resident said, “Yes you need recreation, but you also need economic development to keep your city functioning.”
City Manager Nate Heffron said the city council plans to continue getting community input as they go forward with the plot’s development.
“Our plan is to move forward and work with those residents that were here this evening that may not have went the way they wanted it to go,” said Heffron, “and find a good way, a happy medium of developing this property in the future.”
The city council plans to hold public hearings later this year to begin determining the next steps for the newly rezoned land.
Click here for more information about the passed rezoning.