051126 PZ Minutes
Mountain Iron Planning and Zoning Commission
May 11, 2026
Chairperson Steve Giorgi called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the following members present: Margaret Soyring, Al Stanaway, Barb Fivecoate, Karla Kintner, Zoning Administrator Jerry Kujala, City Attorney Brian Lindsay. Absent: Mayor Peggy Anderson, Bill Copeland
Moved by Soyring, supported by Fivecoate to approve the consent agenda. Motion Carried. Mayor Anderson and Copeland Absent
The minutes of the March 23 meeting were not provided by the office for the commission.
Ed Roskoski spoke about the complaint about burning at the sawmill on Highway 101 by a neighbor. He was told that this is not a matter for Planning and Zoning.
Tom Schur spoke to the Commission about the blight situation in downtown Mt. Iron. One of the properties has been cleaned up but many more remain. He stated that there is not formal form to fill out with the city to file a complaint on blight. He was handed a legal pad and told to write his complaint.
Chairman Giorgi commented that there are numerous areas of blight in downtown Mt. Iron. He feels it should be addressed by this commission to the City.
City Attorney Lindsey gave an update on the three serious code violations that have been turned over to his office to prosecute. One of the property owners has started an addition to a home on another one of his properties without a permit. Letters have been sent to the offenders and have not solved the problems. The Commission directed him to aggressively pursue these violations with a $50 per day fine until these are brought to code. If the fines are not paid they can be added to their property taxes at the end of the year. Mr. Lindsey will provide all communications to Chairman Giorgi, who will forward them to the Commission members.
Jerry Kujala reported that he has sent out another letter for an illegal fabric structure. A prior violation paid his fine but has not removed the structure. It was discussed that many people do not know fabric structures are not allowed in most areas of Mt. Iron. Chairman Giorgi said he will address it in a letter to the editor in the Mesabi Tribune and hopefully people will become aware.
Moved by Soyring, supported by Fivecoate to have Chairman Giorgi send a letter to the city administrator, mayor and council requesting a Public Works employee be appointed to blight inspection duties. This employee would simply identify a blight violation, capture photographic evidence and present it to city hall for a formal letter to the resident of the violation with a time frame for remediation. The city should also develop a form that residents can access online if they wish to file a complaint. Motion carried. Mayor Anderson and Copeland absent.
The Zoning Audit Report and Recommendations was discussed by the Commission.
Moved by Stanaway, supported by Soyring to request a joint meeting with EDA to discuss this report. Motion Carried. Mayor Anderson and Copeland absent.
Moved by Fivecoate, supported by Soyring to adjourn at 8:00 p.m. Motion Carried. Mayor Anderson and Copeland absent.
Respectfully submitted by:
Margaret Soyring, Secretary
