Houghton holds off on road abandonment
Houghton holds off on road abandonment
By GARRETT NEESE, DMG Writer
HOUGHTON — Houghton city officials will meet with property owners near two sections of road the city has proposed to vacate, to discuss the project.
The city would vacate the one-lot portion of Champion Avenue west of Datolite Street, as well as the five-lot section of Datolite Street between Champion and Baltic avenues.
The move is being requested by Brian Lahti, who is building an apartment complex adjacent to the lots. Lahti would receive half of the abandoned street sections.
Alan Baker, owner of Datolite, LLC, on Datolite Street, said the alternate approach to his lot off of Baltic Avenue would be blocked by a large rock on the road.
“If the street were abandoned, I’d have no way to get to lot three,” he said.
Baker would also be building a fence on his property if the street were abandoned.
Two other residents submitted letters opposing the vacation.
Ted Gast, of 904 Champion St., said Baker’s fence would hamper snow removal on his property. Additionally, he said, a small stream running along Datolite Street would prevent Lahti’s tenants from using his share of the street for parking until Gast’s parking lot is used for access. Baker, too, could only access his property through the lot.
However, Gast supports the rental project, saying it would provide rental housing for students and be a “definite advantage” for him as a nearby landlord.
“ ... My suggestion would be to delay abandonment until all parties have the opportunity of developing and implementing a plan,” he wrote.
Cathy Dennis said the move would reduce the size of the lot next to her property on 904 Franklin St., which would make plowing more difficult in winter.
“I’m concerned additional build-up from plowing could possibly result in flooding of our property,” she wrote. “Also, the extra traffic and noise of added development near our residential neighborhood could detract from our property value and decrease the beauty of the neighborhood.”
Councilman Robert Megowen expressed concern that the street abandonment would restrict access to hydrants.
The city council set a public hearing on the vacation for Aug. 9.
Garrett Neese can be reached at gneese@mininggazette.com
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