Chelsea City residents will soon see street, sewer and sidewalk improvements on Buchanan, Filmore, Taylor and West Industrial following a unanimous vote of the Chelsea City Council on Monday, June 19.
A not-to-exceed $1.182 million contract was awarded to Fonson, Inc. of Brighton. In addition, the City Council also approved an additional 10 percent for unforeseen conditions that might occur during construction since some of the sewer systems are rather old.
Included in the street projects for Buchanan/Filmore streets is reconstruction, watermain and sidewalk, sanitary and storm sewer improvements. Work on a block of Taylor Street from Pierce to Lincoln streets includes sanitary sewer replacement, sidewalk improvements and new pavement. The pavement on Industrial will also be reconstructed.
Among the other items approved by the City Council was a unanimous vote to change its first meeting date in July from July 3 to July 10 at 7 p.m.
Also approved were service contracts with several groups including $30,000 for the Chelsea Senior Center, $15,000 for AATA, $45,000 for WAVE and $10,000 for Chelsea Community Education that’s earmarked for Chelsea Recreation.
The City Council also discussed how to proceed on a rezoning process with Lima Township for an area stretching from the Chelsea City Limits on the west, Old US-12 to the south, North Fletcher Road to the east and Dexter Chelsea Road to the north.
Tentatively referred to as the Urban Cooperation Area, Lima Township approached the city regarding a process for development of the area. Township officials suggested a proposed process should include drafting a 425 agreement, an application process for zoning of the area and discussions between the township and the city’s planning commissions for a proposed Planned Unit Development.
City Council members discussed differences in planning and zoning in the township and in the city and that since the development would ultimately end up inside the city limits, how best to handle the differences. They also discussed how best to proceed so developers aren’t ping-ponged back and forth between the two municipalities.
City Council members stressed that they wanted this to be a balanced process for both municipalities and perhaps a good place to start would be what the land use would be. Council Member Melissa Johnson asked if the land would be zoned commercial or residential? And, she stressed that the project needed to fit into the community in which it will be incorporated.
Council members discussed land use suggestions and then asked which municipality’s standards would apply.
Council stressed that this process needed to be a partnership between the two neighboring municipalities that allows the two to develop a piece of property taking into account the differences in zoning and planning regulations.
To view the entire City Council meeting, please click here.
