ELY- The Pioneer Mine at the Ely Arts and Heritage Center is getting an ore car. Canadian Pacific is donating an ore jennie to the city-owned museum, which museum volunteer Seraphine Rolando promises to fill with iron ore.
The Ely City Council approved the donation at their regular meeting on Tuesday and gave the green light as well for work needed to prep a spot for the ore car next to the Pioneer Mine shaft house. North Shore Track Services, a local “maintenance of way railway contractor,” will build a short portion of railroad track at the shaft house that can support the weight of the car.
“We want to get the car here before July,” Ely Clerk-Treasurer Harold Langowski told the city council, in the hope that it will be installed prior to the beginning of the Ely Memorial High School All-Class Reunion and 100-year anniversary of the building of the high school.
Depot zoning
The city council approved an ordinance to change the zoning of the old railroad depot property from industrial (M) to commercial (C1). This is another small step in the complicated process to redevelop the property, last used for an outfitting business.
The vote to change the zoning was preceded by a public hearing before the regular city council meeting. The four-minute hearing elicited one public comment by Ely resident Joe Prioreschi, who remarked, “I think it’s a great idea.”
In other matters, the city council:
• Voted to make a presentation on the future of EMS a special meeting of the city council. The presentation will be held at the Ely Senior Center on Thursday, June 13, at 4 p.m., and is open to the public.
• Heard the report from the Ely Board of Adjustment that it has approved a variance for the Frisky Otter restaurant at 302 E. Sheridan St. The Frisky Otter requested to install an additional freestanding sign.
The board of adjustment also approved a variance requested by Daniel Krings at 718 Lakeview Ave. N., to use a 20-foot front yard setback for a proposed residence remodel, instead of the required 35 for the Shagawa Lake Shoreland Overlay District.
• Heard that the Planning and Zoning Commission will meet on June 12 at 5:30 p.m., because June 19 is a holiday.
• Approved the attendance of any interested Ely Utilities Commission members at the annual Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association meeting in Fargo in August.
• Accepted the resignation of Aspen Eck from the Ely Tree Board and Park and Recreation Board, and to advertise the open positions.