Houghton Council Sets Special Zoning Meeting

The Houghton City Council has scheduled a special meeting Thursday at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the re-zoning of the former Good Will Farm property.

Developer Jonathan Julien wants to build apartments for MTU graduate students on the property. The re-zoning was approved by the City Planning Commission over the summer, but was voted down by the council in early September.

Julien asked for a rehearing,  which led to a second public hearing last week. At that hearing, a legal question was raised as to whether the council could take a second vote… so the council tabled the issue. The council will not take action on the zoning request tomorrow, but will discuss the legal issue with the city attorney.

If the council decides to reconsider the earlier vote, a date for a third public hearing will be set.

Opposition has come mostly from owners of student rental property, who fear additional apartments will drive down rental rates.