The Munising City Commission has unanimously approved a new zoning ordinance for the municipality at the city commission meeting on Wednesday, April 5.

The vote come after the ordinance was tabled at the previous meeting on Monday, March 20, after concerns were brought up with electric vehicle chargers, known as EV chargers. Commissioner Vicki Ballas questioned why a business would need an acre of land to provide EV chargers.

The issue went to the planning commission, which discussed the issue at its regularly scheduled March meeting on Wednesday, March 22. According to city staff, the original EV charger guidelines were based on zoning regulations for gas stations. Changes were made to allow EV chargers on smaller lots.

Public notification postings in The Munising Beacon and Marquette Mining Journal will be made in accordance with state law in the upcoming weeks with the ordinance to go into effect shortly after.

In other city business, the commission also unanimously approved an easement for Munising Public Schools for access to the practice fields directly west of the middle/ high school. The easement agreement still has to be approved by the school board. The commission also approved a new health savings program for the Munising Department of Public Works. According to city staff, the agreement is mutually beneficial and addresses concerns from the employees.

This map showcases the new zone boundaries as defined by the new City of Munising Zoning Ordinance. Copies of the ordinance are available to view at city hall and the Munising School Public Library.