New Ordiances in Houghton

Four ordinances are in the books that were adopted by the Houghton City Council at their regular meeting.

The first added two paragraphs to the restrictions on operating Medical Marihuana Dispensaries in the city. The additions explain that primary caregivers and/or qualified patients at the facility must be legally registered by the Michigan Department of Community Health in accordance with the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act. A stipulation was also added that medical marihuana dispensaries or nurseries can only be open between the hours of 8am and 8pm.

The second proposal was a zoning ordinance change that made the minimum size of a parking space be 9 feet wide and 20 feet long.

The third dealt with the Housing License ordinance for rental property by adding a section stating that an owner could modified their rental license but would still have to go through the process of applying for a new license but without a fee.

The fourth ordinance approved raised the water and sewer rates for Houghton residents beginning with the May billing. The new rates for customers will be $3.34 per 100 cubic feet for water, a six percent increase, and $6.54 per 100 cubic feet for sewage, a two percent increase. City Manager Scott MacInnis said the increase in rates are necessary to help pay for the city’s water and sewer project.